Cellulite can cause and unsightly "cottage cheese" effect beneath the skin. If you have cellulite you may wish to reduce it without undergoing treatment, which can be costly and does not always work. Exercising may help to reduce the effects of cellulite.
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite causes a dimpling effect on the skin of the abdomen, hips, thighs and buttocks of many women and some men. It is caused by uneven deposits of fatty tissue beneath the skin. Although it is not a serious medical condition, many people feel self-conscious about it, particularly when wearing a bathing suit or shorts. There are a number of creams on the market which claim to reduce cellulite, unfortunately they do not work. There are, however, exercises that you can do to reduce your cellulite.
Causes
There are a number of factors involved in cellulite formation. One of them is hormones. Cellulite develops in women at times when their hormones are changing, such as puberty, on birth control pills, during premenstrual syndrome and during menopause. This is because hormones regulate changes in the flow of blood, drainage of the lymphatic system, connective tissue and fat. All these factors are connected to cellulite production. Your lifestyle and dietary choices can also affect cellulite production. Cellulite can increase if you gain a significant amount of weight and can become worse if you have a poor diet or do not drink enough water each day. You may also notice increasing cellulite as you age and your skin begins to lose its elasticity.
Swimming
According to WomenFitness.net, the best exercises for reducing cellulite are cardiovascular exercises. This is because increasing blood circulation may help to improve cellulite and burn fat. If you feel you are not getting enough exercise and want to start off gently, consider swimming. Swimming is a good cardiovascular exercise and also helps tone the arms, shoulders, hamstring and calf muscles.
Walking
Walking is another good exercise that burns fat and tones the muscle, particularly the thigh and calf muscles and may help reduce cellulite. Walking for just 30 minutes each day for three or four days per week can make a significant difference. According to certified fitness trainer Christian Finn, 30 minutes of brisk walking burns around 350 calories.
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