Even though cellulite is not something any person with is happy with, it is not considered a medical disorder. Despite the large market of cellulite creams, wraps and other alternative therapies; there are no proven treatments to reverse cellulite once you develop it. However, cellulite does positively yield to a healthy diet and daily exercise.
Cellulite
The term cellulite is used to describe the dimpled appearance of fat through a person's skin. Cellulite occurs around the hips, thighs and buttocks regions. The fat in these areas is simply closer to the skins surface then the fat in other parts of the body.
Causes
As your fat cells enlarge, the collagen fibers around the cells begin to pull, stretch and possibly break. As the fibers get stretched down, they create a dimpling, uneven effect on the skins surface. Cellulite is not necessarily due to weight since even thin people can have cellulite. Your chance of cellulite visibility may be caused by a poor diet, "fad" dieting, a slow metabolism, hormone changes and dehydration.
Gender
The American Council on Exercise describes that every person has connective tissue that separates fat into separate compartments; however, men and women store their fat differently. Men have crisscross compartments to store fat where women have honeycomb shaped compartments. These honeycomb compartments give a greater chance for fat to bulge through, so women have a greater chance of developing cellulite than men.
Nutrition
A proper diet can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Avoid eating processed, easily digested simple carbohydrates like bread, cereal and pasta. These foods interfere with weight loss and promote weight gain. Instead eat complex carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are also great sources of natural fiber. There are two types of fiber; soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber helps reduce the amount of fat in your bloodstream and insoluble fiber binds to fatty substances in your intestines and excretes them as waste. Increased fiber intake will help improve your skin's appearance and reduce the visible side effects of cellulite.
Exercise
Diet alone is not enough to effectively reduce cellulite appearance. Participate in daily cardiovascular exercise and do strength training two to three days a week. Reducing your weight and body fat while increasing your lean mass positively affects cellulite appearance. Perform strength training exercises like the weighted and un-weighted squat and lunge to help strengthen your legs but also work on core strength. Other exercises like the deadlift, back extension and glute ham developer sit-up helps you strengthen the cellulite problem areas. If you are unfamiliar with these exercises, look for an instructional video online, or seek the assistance of a fitness professional.
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