When it comes to treating pockets of fat under the skin known as cellulite, it is not an easy task. In an effort to reduce its appearance or remove it altogether, people often resort to liposuction. Though liposuction can shape the body, it won't remove cellulite, and it may make the cellulite appear worse, according to MayoClinic.com. If you have already made up your mind to avoid this ineffective procedure, the best thing you can do to treat cellulite is change your diet and exercise. Although thigh cellulite is tough to remove completely, you can at least make it look less noticeable.
Step 1
Restrict your calories and eat healthy foods. Calculate your daily average caloric intake and reduce it by 500 calories to create a deficit and promote weight loss throughout your whole body. Refer to an online resource, such as The Daily Plate, to help you with tracking. Eat foods high in nutrients and low in empty calories, such as low-fat dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, fish, whole grains and beans.
Step 2
Move your legs repetitively to promote weight loss and to burn fat. Perform any type of cardiovascular exercise to achieve this, such as running, brisk walking, elliptical training, swimming, rowing, stair climbing or step aerobics. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, you need 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day, three to four days a week, to lose weight or maintain weight loss.
Step 3
Stand with your feet in a wide stance to do side hinges. Turn your toes out slightly, place your hands on the sides of your head and lower yourself into a squat until your thighs parallel the floor. Stand up quickly, raise your right leg in the air laterally and move your elbow and knee toward each other. Lower your foot back to the ground, perform another squat and repeat with the other side. Go back and forth for 10 reps on each leg. This exercise works the whole thigh area.
Step 4
Lower your body into a lunge position to do lunge jumps. Stand with your left foot in front of you and right foot behind you. Bend your knees to lower your body, and stop when your left thigh parallels the floor and your right knee is an inch above the floor. Jump in the air and quickly change your foot position. Land softly, jump back up and repeat to change leg positions with every jump. Perform 10 to 12 reps with each leg forward.
Step 5
Lie on your stomach to do prone leg lifts. This exercise isolates the hamstrings on the back of the thighs. Lift your right leg as high as possible and squeeze your hamstrings forcefully for a full second. Lower your leg back down and repeat with your left leg. Alternate back in forth in a steady motion until you've completed 10 to 12 reps with each leg.
Step 6
Execute a warrior III yoga pose to work your thighs isometrically. Stand with your feet together and arms fully extended over your head. Tighten your core and keep your back straight as you bend forward at the hips, and raise your right leg behind you. Extend your arms straight in front of your body and your leg straight behind you so they form a straight line and they are parallel the floor. Balance on your right foot for 30 to 45 seconds, lower yourself back to the starting position and repeat with your other leg.
Tips and Warnings
- With all of your thigh exercises, perform four to five reps and work out two to three times a week.
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