The short answer is no and yes, kind of. The key to removing cellulite is to decrease fat deposits. Building muscle does tend to increase metabolism, which burns fat. But if you're doing only leg lifts, you are not likely to remove cellulite from your legs.
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite is the dimpeled, bumpy-looking skin that can be found on most women's thighs, hips or buttocks. It is caused by the tissue that connects the skin to the muscle. Fat cells are layered between the skin and muscle and when the fat cells expand, the connective tissue does not expand with the fat cells. This causes pockets of fat cells to become unevenly distrubuted and therefore making the skin appear uneven and bumpy.
How Can You Get Rid of Cellulite?
The inexpensive way to remove cellulite is to decrease the size of your fat cells. The only way to decrease the size of fat cells is to burn more fat. In order to burn fat, you have to exercise and eat right.
The other option is to use laser and radio-frequency treatments that can be very expensive. Also, the treatments need to be done twice a week for several weeks and results last for about six months.
Exercise Options to Help Remove Cellulite
The most effective exercise for removing cellulite is a combination of cardiovascular and strength training. Steady-state aerobics like running or swimming work well because you burn a lot of calories and increase resting metabolism, which increases fat burning. Adding strength training like squats, lunges and leg lifts build leg and glut muscles that will consume more calories and make the problem area look more toned, diminishing the appearance of cellulite.
Foods to Help You Remove Cellulite
The best foods for decreasing fat storage and thereby reducing cellulite are fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are low in calories and high in complex carbohydrates and fiber, which help you stay full longer and naturally detoxify the body. Try to stay away from foods that quickly get stored as fat such as simple sugars. Also, drinking a lot of water and avoiding sugary sodas will help to detoxify the body and keep calorie intake low.
Other Cellulite Treatments
Some of the best cellulite treatments are the simplest. Try using a prickly massage tool and massage your trouble areas for a few minutes every day. This causes an increase in blood flow to the area, which plumps the skin, decreasing the appearance of cellulite, while allowing the blood to remove excess waste from the surrounding cells. Creams can sometimes be effective for changing short-term appearance of cellulite. Look for a cream or gel with caffeine, which plumps the area, causing the skin to appear smoother.
No True Fix
Even with weight loss, laser treatments, creams and massage, there is really no way to completely remove cellulite. Unfortunately, cellulite seems to be one of those things people cannot control about their bodies. You can do your best to minimize the appearance, diet and exercise, but the best solution is to accept your body and realize you're not alone. Eight in 10 women have visible cellulite, and those other two women will likely have cellulite in a few years.
Member Comments