Cellulite is a type of fat deposit that affects approximately 80 percent of women in the United States. It occurs when body fat pushes up between fibrous cords attaching the skin to the body tissue lying beneath. When the fat is deeper than the cords are long, it causes the skin to have a dimpled, uneven appearance. While genetics, stress and certain hormones can all be factors in your risk of having cellulite, you can reduce its appearance to some extent through weight loss, strength training and medical treatments.
Fat Loss
According to the Mayo Clinic, healthy weight loss through diet and exercise is currently the most effective way to reduce cellulite on your body. That's because reducing the fat between the fibers will cause cellulite dimples to become less pronounced. You can lose weight most effectively by combining diet and cardiovascular activity. For safe weight loss, the American Dietetic Association recommends that women eat at least 1,200 calories and men consume at least 1,500 calories per day, with a large portion of their diet coming from vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and fruits.
Strength Training
Having good muscle tone under your body fat---particularly in the legs---can both help you to burn calories while at rest and reduce the appearance of skin dimples. For best results, commit to a total-body strength training program three days per week. Plan to train through at least eight different exercises, performing each exercise for eight to 12 repetitions with a weight that is heavy enough to cause your muscles to work to fatigue.
Medical Treatments
While the least intrusive way to reduce cellulite is through fat loss and strength training, other, more costly medical treatments are available at aesthetic medical centers.
One treatment uses radio frequency and infrared light. Another treatment uses lasers and tissue massage. Both radio frequency and laser treatments require you to commit to a series of treatments for results that can last up to six months.
Liposuction has also been used historically for cellulite treatment, but, according to the Mayo Clinic, it is not effective and can, in some cases, make cellulite more apparent on your body.
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