Eliminate Cellulite – Tackling the Problem of Cellulite

Discover How to Eliminate Cellulite

Tackling the Problem of Cellulite

Cellulite – or orange peel skin – affects 80 per cent of women some time in their lives. Yet medics are loathe to admit that the puckered, dimpled, blotchy surface skin that mar so many female buttocks, hips and thighs is anything more than just plain fat.

So how come dieting doesn’t always shift it?  More to the point – is there anything out there that does?

Pinch an Inch:

Early signs of cellulite are clearly visible when you pinch the flesh. Do your thighs pass the squeeze test or do you have classic “orange peel” dimples?

If you have water cellulite, when you pinch the flesh, the surface skin is curved, taught and sheeny When you press it, your finger sinks into the puffy surface. You may also feel generally bloated. Catch water cellulite early and you can halt its progress to the second stage. Adopt lymphatic drainage techniques such as skin brushing, massage and exercise. Body or “inch” wraps may also help temporary bloating.

Fatty cellulite occurs as the female cycle becomes less efficient. Fats that accumulate in the first half of the cycle remain unburned. Fat cells swell with fatty acids and sugars. Surrounding capillaries are compressed, vessels become congested with fluids and circulation slows. Elastin and collagen fibres are also compressed, causing loss of tissue tone.

If you have fatty cellulite, when you pinch the flesh, it has the classic “orange peel” dimples. Prod and it hurts – the fat cells compress nerve endings, too. Poor circulation also means the skin bruises easily and feels cooler than cellulite-free zones. Discourage fatty cellulite from becoming impacted by stepping up exercise and modifying your diet, especially during the second half of your cycle. Massage may help. A skin-conditioning cream will improve surface smoothness.

What Causes Cellulite?

Cellulite is an essentially female problem – men rarely suffer unless they’re seriously clinically obese. On average, women have 35 billion adipocytes (fat cells) compared to 28 billion in men. Deposited around the muscles, adipose fat plays an essential role in controlling body temperature and providing survival rations during pregnancy should food become scarce. Cellulite gurus also implicate highly refined foods, fizzy soft drinks, alcohol, coffee and smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Hormones are thought to govern cellulite formation. Surges of oestrogen levels dwindle along with fat reserves that store the hormone. Taking some forms of HRT and the contraceptive Pill can encourage both cellulite and the fluid retention that accompanies it. Cellulite can also be hereditary.

Two Stages of Cellulite Formation

Research at Laboratoires Elancyl pinpoints two stages of cellulite formation, both hormone-induced: water cellulite and fatty cellulite.  Water cellulite occurs during the first phase of the female cycle as the body stores water and fats prior to ovulation. Oestrogen slackens blood vessel walls, so the dermis and adipose tissue is flooded and fluid leaks to neighbouring tissue. If more water than fat is stored, bloating results. At the end of the cycle, fluid returns to the lymphatic circulation and fat is burned as energy.

Smooth Moves to Eliminate Cellulite

Skin Brushing:

Use a soft but firm, natural bristle brush to sweep dry skin upward from the soles of the feet, over thighs, hips and buttocks. It’s thought this boosts lymph circulation – it certainly exfoliates and leaves a glow on the skin surface. Brush daily for tough cellulite or three or four times weekly to keep skin smooth.

Shower afterwards, using cool jets as a massage tonic.

Massage:

Massage can help to eliminate cellulite. Pummelling is now thought to damage and weaken skin rather than “break down” fat deposits.  Gentle massage, though, encourages normal circulation and aids the penetration of cellulite creams. For at least three minutes on each leg, daily work in circular movements, kneading flesh between thumbs fingers. Finish by sweeping firmly upward with the flats of your hands.

Exercise:

Stress and a sedentary lifestyle encourage fat lay-down. But avoid specific muscle-building workouts that could worsen dimples by pushing fat pockets upward into the skin. Concentrate on energy burners and circulation boosters, such as high intensity interval training including power walking, cycling, step aerobics, skipping and rebounding.

The Anti-Cellulite Diet

• Concentrate on low-fat, simple fibre-rich foods, which are easier than refined foods for the body to break down, use and eliminate as waste. Food combining also helps simplify metabolism and improve food efficiency. Eat little and often to maintain energy levels, prevent bloating and discourage fat lay-down.

• Major on fresh fruit and vegetables, steamed or raw for maximum vitamins and minerals. Well-cooked pulses such as lentils, mung beans and red kidney beans are good sources of fibre.

• Choose proteins wisely. Avoid red meat – its dense connective tissue takes too long to digest. Opt for chicken, or best of all, fish. Restrict or avoid all dairy foods. Limit eggs.

• Avoid sugars and starches, including biscuits, cakes, pastries, sweets and chocolate.

• Try not to flavour foods. Limit salt, sugar and spices. Substitute herbs and seeds.

• Avoid animal fats, such as butter, and limit vegetable oils and spreads.

• Drink 1 1/2 to 2 litres of still water daily. Strictly limit or avoid coffee, tea, fizzy drinks and alcohol. Substitute herb teas.

• Give up smoking – it hampers circulation.

All of the above factors are of vital importance when on your quest to eliminate cellulite.  Adhere to these as much as you possibly can, and you will notice a marked improvement in the appearance of your cellulite.