Cellulite is a dimply fat that affects the thighs and buttocks of about 90 percent of women and 10 percent of men, mainly in industrialized nations worldwide. Science can find no good reason for cellulite's existence, making it difficult to treat or improve, but the cosmetic industry continues to sell creams and lotions that promise smoother, cellulite-free skin. Even sellers of said products suggest combining treatment with diet and exercise, but many people will still retain the fatty pockets.
What is Cellulite
Cellulite is fat. The only defining characteristic of cellulite that makes it different than other types of fat is its dimply appearance. The connective tissues that divide fat into separate areas are crisscrossed in men, but honeycomb-shaped in women, making women's fatty areas more apt to bulge or ripple. Determined mostly by genetics, cellulite generally appears in your 30s and worsens in appearance as you age while your skin continues to thin out.
Contributing Factors
Poor circulation is a contributing factor in the production of cellulite, exacerbated by the decreased production of estrogen women experience between age 25 and 35, according to osteopathic physician Lionel Bissoon, author of "The Cellulite Cure." Lifestyle factors like diet and exercise are other major contributors, says Bissoon. Exercising regularly helps keep cellulite from forming, and if it does develop, the bumps will not be as noticeable, according to the American Council on Exercise.
Treatable Components
The three treatable components of cellulite are collagen, fat and circulation. Exercise plays a key role in the latter two components. A healthy diet that encourages hormonal balance, along with an exercise program that includes cardiovascular endurance to encourage fat loss and improve circulation, plus resistance training to tone the muscles underneath the layers of fat is the best line of defense in the fight against cellulite. Additionally, Bissoon provides a simple tactic to improve your circulation without investing much time or money: switch from conventional panties to wearing a thong.
Action Plan
Target your lower body during workouts in order to decrease fat and shrink your size, says World Natural Ms. Figure 2000 and Bodybuilding.com contributor Sherry Gideons. Gideons suggests using weights that allow you to do 15 to 25 repetitions, where the last few reps are challenging, targeting your problem areas four to six times per week. Additionally, YMCA fitness research director Wayne Westcott, Ph.D., designed a cellulite-reduction program that involves cardio training for 20 minutes at 70 to 80 percent of your maximum, 20 minutes of upper body resistance training and 20 minutes of lower body resistance training three times per week.
References
- American Council on Exericse: Exercise and Cellulite
- "Scientific American"; Is Cellulite Forever?; Katherine Harmon; May 2009
- Bodybuilding.com; "Cellulite for Her"; Sherry Gideons; August 2002
- "Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy"; Cellulite: A Review of its Physiology and Treatment; Mathew M Avram; 2004
- Alive.com; Reduce Cellulite Naturally; David Pollock; July 2005
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