Getting Rid of Cellulite

Cellulite on Your Arms?

2011-05-19T23:18:00.006-04:00

Are you worried about cellulite on your arms? Do you tend to shy away from tank tops, camisoles, spaghetti straps and the like? If so, you are not alone. Cellulite on your arms can be an unsightly condition for photos and summertime fashions however there are things that you can do to minimize the sight of cellulite on your arms. Most of it, you’ve heard before but have you ever heard of the saying that “800,000,000 million people can’t be wrong?” The lesson there is that you if you continue to hear something over and over again, then at some point you have to make a decision about it. There comes a point that you have to buy in. I speak of these things from experience. After having my two lovely daughters, I was left with stretch marks on my abdomen, cellulite on my thighs and a little beginning t show up on my arms. That was when I’d had too much. You know how some people say they’ve had enough, well I skipped that level and had just had “too much”. Now you have to understand that I’d never been overweight in all of my years and the slightest bit of exercise would show up in my body in what seemed to be effortlessly. After giving birth to my second child at 32, all of that changed. First of all, I honestly overate during the pregnancy. Secondly, I continued to eat a bunch of sugary foods well after she was born. Here was the beginning of all of my cellulite problems. One day, while watching either The Doctors show or The Dr. Oz show, a demonstration on what cellulite is and how it is developed was shown. Without a visual, I am going to attempt to explain this in order for you to get a good picture in your “mind’s eye.” He said that when you’re the fat under your skin grows, it begins to burst through this layer of tissue that looks kind of like a mesh net. Well then you can imagine while cellulite looks “bubbly” through the skin. It is fat that has exceeded the capacity of the “mesh net” kind of tissue just beneath your skin. Now, I don’t know what that does for you, but for me, it said you are taking in too much “fat!” But it didn’t say it to me in a polite kind of soft spoken way, I literally go the idea that I am forcing my body to grow in ways that is not even equipped to do. I mean, would you overload your washing machine to the point that your clothes are hanging out of the opening? No you wouldn’t, because you know that it would not operate at all if you did. You know that that lid must be closed if you’re going to get your clothes washed. You know that you cannot exceed the maximum amount of weight for that machine or you will be out of about 400.00+ dollars and that, unfortunately means more to you than your own body’s capacity. I hate to put it that bluntly, but that’s preety much the case. Think about it. Then think about it some more. I say all of this because as we begin to explore what to do about the cellulite showing up on your arms, you may not want to hear that either. So my logic is if I tell you something you want to hear less, then you may stick around for the stuff that you just don’t want to hear.

So here goes. What can we do about cellulite on your arms. Simple but hard…stop eating so much. You have to stop the insanity. Start eating more fiber. Fiber is cleansing and energizing. It’s great for belly fat (I know personally) and I gotta tell you…it is good for all over fat. Starting eating more fiber than anything else you eat. Here are some great ways to get more fiber in your diet.

Eat a salad with your lunch and dinner

Eat a high fiber cereal for breakfast. Either oatmeal, Whole grain or whole
Or whole wheat cereal.

Eat a piece of fruit for breakfast or with your breakfast.

Eat a piece of fruit between meals as a snack.

Snack on raisins.

Eat organic canned beans but avoid any that are cooked in high salt
Or meat fat.

Snack on celery with about a teaspoon of peanut butter.

Snack on lightly butter popcorn (popcorn has been proven to be high in
Fiber) which is why its on the list.

Ever heard of veggie pizza? Try it, it’s good and add a salad.

Switch to high fiber or whole wheat pastas

Eat whole wheat or high fiber breads

Buy frozen veggies and double the portion size on your plate.

This is not an all inclusive list but it is how I got started on my journey to rid myself of cellulite on my arms, thighs and butt. If you begin here, you will see a significant loss of weight and waste from your body and the first step to getting rid of cellulite is going through a detoxification process. Now contrary to popular opinion you don’t need to spend a lot of money on fancy cleansers. You don’t have to consult with an expert on what laxative, herb, root or drink mix to take. No, you simply have to start eating the naturally cleansing foods that God has given. I will be the first to agree that the quality of the foods grown today is less that the quality several hundred years ago, but it still works, it’s the best and most natural way to go. It may take a little longer but it is sure.

Then, your favorite friend exercise comes back into the picture. But here’s a tip, the more you eat right the less strenuous your exercise needs to be. Try it!

Rachael Ray Talks Cellulite on Her Show

2010-03-18T18:01:00.005-04:00

Well folks, can you believe it? I’m actually back “on the grid” after a long hiatus—wow, it’s been over a year since I’ve posted anything here on Getting Rid of Cellulite—and it doesn’t even feel like it. Time flies! So what happened, you ask? Well, nothing major, just life in general. Getting busy. Managing spouse and kids. Making things happen around the house. The normal, everyday things that we all have to do. And mainly just clearing my head. One thing I committed to do from the onset was not to post just for the sake of posting. I will never be one of those people that’s glued to their computer monitor 8 hours out of the day, putting out a new blog post every day like clockwork. Nothing against the people who can do that (I actually admire their diligence), but I simply don’t have that much to say. When I come across something interesting about getting rid of cellulite, or something that has to do with cellulite reduction, if it grabs my attention and “tickles my fancy”, then I’m off and running.

So on to cellulite business. I just found out about the now-famous Rachael Ray cellulite show. She basically featured different products that are touted for facilitating cellulite reduction, to some degree anyway. Three guests (dare I say guinea pigs?) agreed to try three different products that are considered to be more natural or holistic products to get rid of cellulite, or at least reduce the appearance of it in those problem areas that all of us are all too familiar with. Here are the three products: (1) The Nutra Luxe Infrared Body Shaping Massager Lipo Reduction Set (sounds almost ominous), which is reported to diminish the appearance of cellulite, (2) The Solidea MicroMassage Magic Pantie, a form of shapewear or bodyshaping hosiery that purportedly works to tone the skin and encourage “microcirculation” while reducing the appearance of cellulite, and (3) The Totally You Seaweed Body Wrap Kit, which claims to reduce the “orange peel” or “cottage cheese” look of cellulite on the skin—I don’t know what it is about seaweed, but it seems like if you really want to impress someone with how holistic you are, you bring up the word “seaweed” somewhere in the conversation (LOL). I’m not knocking the Body Wrap because I haven’t tried it, but that just came to my mind as I was writing this.

This isn’t the first time Rachael has tackled the subject of cellulite. I found a YouTube video of her addressing this troublesome condition a while back, in her “Human Labs” segment (I guess I was right to poke fun at them by calling them “guinea pigs”). Heck, today’s show may have even been a rerun. I don’t know. Either way, take a look at it:

Well, that’s it for now…just some fodder to get the gears turning (yours and mine). Hope you enjoyed by brief encapsulation of the Rachael Ray cellulite show, and I look forward to tackling new cellulite-related subjects with you in the coming months!

Getting Rid of Cellulite On Your Thighs

2008-12-13T23:17:00.004-05:00

I feel like I left a few things hanging back in my November 4th post about how to get rid of cellulite on your thighs; once again, taking just a topical approach is no good if you desire to see more permanent results. I’m not against any kind of cellulite cream or even surgical procedures to help anyone get rid of cellulite, but at the same time, true health can only be achieved through balance. There are a lot of procedures available to help you fight off the old “cottage cheese thighs”, but many times they require injections of chemicals that can truly be damaging to the body. Creams, lotions and pills can often contain ingredients that can produce allergic reactions in the skin, or even worse, they can simply wreck up another part of your body while attempting to fix the cellulite. This is one of the most aggravating things I find about modern medicine; with all of the ridiculous amounts of over-the-counter and prescription drugs available today (remember, the pharmaceutical industry is a multi-BILLION dollar industry), most of the medicines that make it to the market simply fix one area of the body at the expense of another. It reminds me of that anti-depression medicine; I forgot the name of it, but one of its main claims was that it could help lessen the symptoms of depression. The funny thing is, when they get to the part in the commercial where it talks about the potential side effects, they actually say “If you start having increasing thoughts of suicide, stop taking this medicine.” So, in effect, they’re saying “Hey, depression or suicidal thoughts…you choose.” Now I know that that may be an oversimplification, and I also know that some people truly may find some relief in those types of medicines, but in my mind most of them are good for nothing, and actually do more harm than good. Okay, stepping off the soapbox now.

But on to this business about how to get rid of thigh cellulite. Folks, the formula is actually pretty simple. Not to discredit any manufacturers of anti-cellulite products, because I’m absolutely sure that most of them do have merit, and many of them even have clinical proof of their effectiveness. But at the end of the day, healthy bodies are healthy bodies because of the way we eat and our exercise habits (or the lack thereof). This is pretty much the bottom line when it comes to getting rid of cellulite. Cellulite reduction is possible, no doubt about it, but it will require a change in the way we think about how we eat and the importance of exercise. If you don’t value those things, you won’t invest any time to do them differently, or to make the proper adjustments to ensure that you’re stacking the odds in your favor so that your body won’t become a “cellulite producing factory”, so to speak. At the end of the day, and this is something that you can never forget, cellulite is fat. End of story. So then, the logical conclusion would be that if you are eating a high-fat diet, especially the fats of the saturated and trans-fatty persuasion (LOL), you are only hurting yourself, because you’re setting up the ideal environment for cellulite to form, and as Murphy’s Law would have it, the cellulite will form in the areas that you least desire it to be. This is really perennial advice I’m giving, but if you maintain a low-fat diet, and replace junk food type of fat with healthier fats, such as the kind that come from lean meats and nuts, or natural oils such as olive oil, it is much better for you than loading up on the French fries and doughnuts. A change of diet can mean so much in your battle against cellulite. But of course, the ultimate cellulite buster is a diet of this kind in conjunction with exercise. It’s good to start out with a basic cardio-style workout regimen, such as jogging 3 times a week, or working out on a stairmaster-type machine or a treadmill…basically, anything to get that heart pumping, and when that heart is healthy, your lymphatic drainage system greatly benefits, enabling the body to flush waste and toxins out of your system, thus setting the stage for healthier skin, which incidentally is skin that is less susceptible to cellulite.

This is the basic premise of everything that I have written so far on the topic of cellulite, and as it pertains to how to get rid of cellulite on your thighs, don’t overlook it just because it seems to be obvious or simple. It can, when implemented, make a huge difference in whether or not cellulite will even begin to rear its ugly, unwanted head.

Can You Get Rid of Cellulite Through Diet?

2008-11-15T05:42:00.001-05:00

Those of you who have followed my journeys on this blog about getting rid of cellulite should be able to tell even by the title line that this is an arena that I can feel somewhat comfortable with, given the different topics I have researched so far. One thing that I am thoroughly convinced of is that diet and exercise have more of an impact on cellulite reduction than probably any other thing, and between the two, diet slightly pushes ahead as probably the primary determining factor in whether or not the right environment for “cottage cheese thighs” to develop even ever comes into play. I sometimes hesitate to use the word “diet”, because the knee-jerk reaction for most people when they hear that word is to think that you are referring to eating only rice cakes that taste like cardboard, or some bland tofu product that leaves you unfulfilled and even borderline angry after you eat it (LOL). But diet, in the sense that I would like to refer to it, is the basic overall strategy or general style of eating that you engage in on a regular basis. I don’t want to come across as implying that diet is referring to a particular “regimen”, so to speak, with a set list of foods that must be eaten every day, neither am I referring to diet as all the foods that you CAN’T eat. Again, diet, in the sense that I interpret the word, is simply your basic eating habits or food preferences. My intent is not to put anyone in bondage, so I am definitely making an attempt to stay away from any of the negative connotations of or references to diet. Diet and nutrition are absolutely vital in reference to the development of cellulite, so it is imperative that we explore the question of whether diet can help you get rid of cellulite or not. While there are many theories about the bottom-line effect that nutrition and diet has on cellulite reduction, it is safe to say that you cannot act like what you eat has no effect at all on these things. For as long as I can remember back, I was always told that “you are what you eat”, and that’s more true than a lot of people even realize. I think that if we fully understood just how much our diet affects our health and well-being, we would take this aspect of our lives so much more seriously, and treat it with more respect.

It’s amazing because the eating rules that apply to general health also apply specifically to a “cellulite diet”, so to speak. It’s never a good thing to overload yourself with greasy or fried foods all the time. Most cooking oils contain trans-fatty acids which have the potential to block your arteries over time, and on top of that, the oil content can send your fat intake through the roof. Fried foods also have a damaging effect on your skin as well; I can speak personally about this, because any time I would overdo it with fried or greasy foods, my face would inevitably break out. That was one of the things that prompted me to stop eating them and start drinking a whole lot more water. Now my main drink is water, when it used to be everything but—you’re talking to someone who used to consume at least 6 or 7 various soft drinks every day, with little to no water intake at all! So if I could name one of the most essential ingredients to keeping cellulite at bay, it would be a robust water intake, at least 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses every day. Actually, if you can push for 10 eight-ounce glasses of water every day, you’re really knocking it out of the park. This may require you to cut down on other drinks so you don’t feel as bloated. The benefits of water cannot ever be overstated. Keep in mind that your muscles are comprised of 75% water, your blood is about 80% water, your brain is about 75% water, and your bone composition is about 22% water. Now tell me again…do you think it’s important to drink water? Water will keep your skin looking vibrant and healthy, and give it that “glow” that is so appealing. Water also aids in digestion, which is extremely important in eliminating toxins from the body, and if you have read my post about cellulite reduction where I explain about lymphatic drainage, you’ll remember that when the body retains toxins, it can have a direct effect on the development of cellulite. So if you don’t get anything else out of this post, please remember to DRINK MORE WATER!!!

Now here’s the amazing thing…I feel like I’m just getting started on explaining whether or not you can get rid of cellulite through diet, and now I have to go…I have some personal business to attend to, plus again, this post is quite long already. We will pick up at a later time. Until then, remember, I’m standing with you in your fight to get rid of cellulite!

Get Rid of Cellulite on Thighs

2008-11-04T00:05:00.003-05:00

Believe me when I say, you do not have to be overweight or obese to be able to find cellulite somewhere on your body. A real simple way to determine if it’s time to get rid of cellulite on your thighs or not is by conducting the “pinch test”: Simply grab about a two-inch-wide section of your thigh, give it a good pinch, and if you see the dimples showing up, or the “mattress skin” look, voila, you have cellulite to some degree. Some women don’t even have to pinch their thighs to see the cellulite, proving that there are varying degrees of the visibility of cellulite, primarily dependent upon body type. When fat deposits within the adipose tissue under the epidermis get engorged, it can create a type of “trauma” to that area of skin, causing a hardening of a sort in that general area. This unevenness of skin composition (the “pucker phenomenon”) is what creates the appearance of cellulite. Unfortunately, one of the most common areas where cellulite makes this unwanted appearance is the thigh area. This is without a doubt the primary area that women desire to see cellulite disappear from; the only problem with this is that there is no “one size fits all” cure for getting rid of cellulite in the thighs. The reason for this is that the origin of the conditions that set the stage for the development of cellulite can vary greatly from person to person. So, even though I would like to think that I can provide a blanket answer to everyone who reads this blog, it’s becoming more obvious to me that I can’t. This really sucks, but it is what it is. What I can do, however, is give some general guidelines that apply to the majority of people out there. You don’t know how bad I wish I could resolve the issue of cellulite with one easy statement, but unfortunately, it’s a little more complicated than that. So, what I will do now is provide some basic points that seem to be recurring themes as far as the answer to attacking cellulite is concerned. At the end of the day, they all promote a general overall healthier lifestyle, so you really can’t lose if you implement them regardless.

As far as getting rid of cellulite on thighs in particular, one thing you can do is to make your thighs the focus of some moderate strength training. The reason behind this is that when you train your muscles using weights, and tone them up through moderate weight training, you increase your metabolism even when you’re at rest. Lean muscle burns fat, so lean muscle development in the thigh area will burn fat or at least minimize fat in those areas, giving you a greater probability of reducing the appearance of cellulite. A great way to start this is by doing basic squats. The squat is one of the most all-inclusive exercises you can do; you work the quadriceps (the front of the thighs), the glutes (that’s the butt), and your hamstrings as well. The practice of repetitions with squats is also a good way to increase your balance and get a greater sense of your center of gravity. The basic way to perform a squat is to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, look straight ahead (not down), keep your back straight, and then squat down just as if you were sitting down in a chair. As a matter of fact, if you’re brand new to doing squats, it may be a good idea to practice squatting with a chair, and actually sitting in the chair with each repetition. This will again aid you in developing the balance needed to perform squats efficiently. Squats work the major muscle groups that will firm up your thighs, hips, and buttocks, and if nothing else, you will see and feel good results from consistently performing squats. I recommend doing 3 sets of 12 every other day if you’re just starting out. Again, firm thighs hold a greater chance of burning fat than thighs that are not so firm. Once you get proficient in performing squats, you can begin to use light dumbbells while doing squats, which is a good way to begin your strength training regimen.

As far as nutrition goes, it would be a good idea to choose foods that have naturally occurring diuretic properties. This simply means that they prevent fluid retention in the body, which in turn will foster smoother skin overall. Foods such as celery, asparagus, parsley, watercress, artichokes, cranberries, and apple cider vinegar fit this profile. Also consider pineapple, which is rich in bromelain, a water-retention-reducing substance. The aforementioned foods should give you a good head start in getting rid of cellulite on your thighs, along with the squats described above. Okay, I’m getting tired, the election is tomorrow, and I need to do more homework on what to write for my next post here on Getting Rid of Cellulite. So until next time…keep fighting!

Some Facts About Getting Rid of Cellulite

2008-10-28T17:35:00.002-04:00

As we venture more into the world of getting rid of cellulite, and into the different factors and predecessors of cellulite formation, it has become more and more clear to me that the problem of cellulite is much more complex and multi-faceted than it may appear at first glance. Some people may think that the “orange peel” look or the dimpled look is simply the result of genetics, while others argue that it’s diet, while others say it has everything to do with the type of lifestyle you engage in (sedentary vs. athletic, etc.). All of these factors have their place, and no one factor should be overlooked or carelessly examined. At the end of the day, cellulite formation is multi-faceted, and the approach to cellulite reduction must be equally multi-faceted. At its core, cellulite is an amalgamation of dimples that come from fat cells and subcutaneous connective tissue underneath the skin's surface. Usually located on the butt and thighs, primarily in women, it has the characteristic 'orange peel' look. It affects very few men relative to women, more than likely because of a distinction in cell structure between women and men. So what causes cellulite? No one is actually certain of the true cause of cellulite. Many experts suggest that it is caused by a condition in the fat cells. Others maintain that toxins in the system are the primary cause for cellulite. Yet and still other experts think hormones cause cellulite. Up until this point, no consensus has surfaced as to the primary cause of cellulite. One potential explanation - that also explains why so few men have to deal with cellulite - is based on the physical make-up of the fat cells in women as well as their connective tissue. The short version is simply that the connective tissue of a woman is relatively inflexible, leaving less room for the fat cells to “find a home” once the woman gains weight. This compression of fat cells due to a somewhat rigid connective tissue structure in women can lead to the “hail damage” look known as cellulite—simply put, the fat cells “run out of room”, so to speak, when they become engorged. Men generally store less fat in the hip, thigh and buttocks area, and in addition their outermost layer of skin is generally thicker, thus providing somewhat of a buffer and a cover for the fat cells beneath the epidermis.

Now here’s the “kicker question” of all time: Does being overweight make you a “shoe-in” for cellulite formation? Contrary to popular opinion, being overweight by itself is not a direct cause of cellulite. While it is true that many obese people have cellulite, and it is far more common to see obese people with evidence of cellulite, there are many cases also where obese people don’t have cellulite. Believe it or not, you will find that people even with athletic builds and slender figures can have cellulite. Cellulite is unfortunately versatile in this regard…it doesn’t seem to discriminate based on body size. Age is also somewhat of a factor, in that post-menopausal women are generally prone to having cellulite more than their younger counterparts, but then again there are several older women who don’t have a trace of cellulite. If I may emphasize again, you can’t “pigeonhole” the archetypal cellulite candidate. One thing must be made clear however, is the fact that there is a definite correlation between an overabundance of fat and cellulite. The smoothness and resilience of the skin is definitely affected by engorged fat cells. The skin can lose its suppleness (is that a word?—I mean the fact that the skin must remain supple), and sustain a level of “trauma” due to the pressure that is placed on the connective tissue by those ostentatious fat cells. Usually, a diet that is rich in bioflavanoids as well as Vitamin C can help maintain healthy skin. The cool thing about bioflavanoids is that they enable the body to more effectively utilize Vitamin C. If you maintain a diet that is filled with processed or high-fat foods, or a diet that includes excess amounts of alcohol or caffeine, you’re basically a sitting duck for cellulite. Nutritional factors, in my very humble opinion, weigh in on this equation probably at the very top of the list. We have all heard the old adage that “you are what you eat”, and even though we can be somewhat desensitized to the meaning of that statement due to “familiarity blindness”, there is a whole lot of truth to those words. Just like the old computer programming acronym GIGO (“Garbage In, Garbage Out”), the same applies to the human body. You can’t plant corn seed and expect to harvest apples. In the same way you can’t fill your body with a bunch of junk and expect to live a thoroughly healthy life. Every cause has an effect, and the area of diet is no different.

Now unfortunately, there is no non-surgical absolute cure for cellulite…nothing can make it just magically disappear. But, again, try to stack all of the odds in your favor by eating a nutrient-rich diet and engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise as well as strength (weight) training, as directed by your physician. At the end of the day, don’t feel hopeless…while science can put a man on the moon, but can’t figure out a way to get rid of the “orange peel skin” phenomenon, it’s still better to do all you can to get rid of cellulite, hopefully with the aim of total overall cellulite reduction. Seize the day!

What Kind of Foods Help You Get Rid of Cellulite?

2008-10-19T22:18:00.003-04:00

It’s been a while since I have posted here at Getting Rid of Cellulite; my work obligations have changed, and I’m just plain busy, more than I have ever been before. It’s not the easiest task in the world, especially when you are attempting to do research on different cellulite reduction methods, or basically anything that can lead to helping people get rid of cellulite. Until Bath & Body Works (or someone like that) comes up with a lotion that can miraculously eliminate the appearance of those cottage cheese thighs, we’re going to have to look at the most practical means to effectively dealing with the cellulite problem. While I know that there are lotions and creams on the market that claim to reduce cellulite, I cannot speak from first-hand experience on these yet, so I have been relegated to only addressing cellulite reduction (at least our attempts at it anyway) from a more holistic, natural, even “organic” perspective. Am I trying to “go green” with my cellulite reduction research? Not exactly; it’s more of a case of simply going with what’s more familiar to me, versus going out into uncharted waters, so to speak. I have always been interested in taking care of my body through proper nutrition, diet and exercise, and when the first post ideas for this blog started coming to my head, it was simply easier for me to start off in familiar territory, in coming from a nutritional and natural perspective. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing the research on different cellulite treatments such as endermologie, ionithermie, and mesotherapy, and sharing what I’ve learned with you guys. One of the things that I constantly find myself going back to, however, is the nutritional aspect, and how it plays a part in the formation of cellulite, or the prevention of cellulite. I have always held the belief that most diseases, ailments, and physical infirmities come from poor nutrition. Think about it: the old saying “You are what you eat” definitely applies here…if you put garbage in, you’re going to get garbage out. That’s why, again, I will always preach the “gospel of water” to everyone who wants to learn about getting rid of cellulite. Water is the first and foremost staple of a diet that will be conducive to cellulite reduction. Water will keep the skin healthy and supple, and will greatly aid in flushing out a lot of the toxins that can be big-time culprits to damaging the connective tissue that maintains the skin’s firmness, consequently creating the “hail damage” look. One of these toxins that you have to avoid is alcohol. Alcohol, by its very makeup, is an astringent, or a drying agent. Think about it: When you drink excessive amounts of alcohol, you are literally drying yourself up from the inside out. You are dehydrating yourself at the cellular level…this is NOT good. This is why many alcoholics end up with cirrhosis of the liver, because they have passed so much alcohol through their liver that they literally dried the liver up, making it almost like a brick. Obviously, if alcohol can cause damage up to this extreme, it can definitely wreak havoc on your body’s cells, particularly fat cells. Once these fat cells can no longer be supported by healthy connective tissue, due to the tissue being damaged through dehydration, they will compress and literally break the surrounding tissue down, creating the uneven look on the surface of the skin. So unfortunately for those of you who like to “hit the bottle” on a regular basis, this is one of the risks that you’ll run as a result.

So anyway, before I get off on a huge tangent about the effects of alcohol on the body, I might as well finally get to the point of this particular post, which is naming some foods that help you get rid of cellulite. One of the things you’ll notice about all the foods I’ll mention is that they all have either cleansing/detoxifying properties, or a potent nutritional benefit that will be good for the skin and all-around health. The first one is any type of leafy green vegetables, such as collard greens, turnip greens and the like. They are rich in iron and good sources of calcium as well, and they have great fiber content (important for healthy skin). Also consider any type of lentils, red beans, and other similar legumes. You can never go wrong with beans. Apples and blueberries are great for hydration purposes; blueberries in particular are considered a “power food” due to the cleansing properties they contain. Also remember to regularly consume any type of fish with Omega-3 fatty acids; these are essential to the health of the skin. Examples of high-Omega-3-containing fish are salmon, tuna and mackerel.

Well, this post is actually longer than I originally imagined it was going to be; it’s funny how I will try to say something in somewhat of a “summary” format, but end up going on some huge dissertation. I guess I’m just long-winded when it comes to this topic. At any rate, hopefully this will at least give you some food (no pun intended) for thought as to what types of foods can help you get rid of cellulite. Until we meet again...

How to Combat Cellulite

2008-09-29T22:24:00.004-04:00

I didn’t even realize how much time has passed since I last posted here at Getting Rid of Cellulite! Things have been very busy on the personal side, and although I would like to be more consistent with posting new material on how to combat cellulite, or eliminate cellulite, or however you want to word it, I have a pretty hectic personal schedule, so I’m still learning how to balance the demands of work/life/kids/marriage/blogging—so please bear with me. As this blog progresses, and the topics of the blog expand, I’ve been learning that I have much more of an interest in natural ways to get rid of cellulite, or basically anything that’s non-surgical and non-chemical. As I have often stated in past posts, I have no problem with anyone that chooses any kind of cellulite reduction procedure that requires surgery, or even chooses some kind of cellulite reducing pill, or lotion, or cream, or what have you…I just find that I’m more drawn to more holistic ways of combating cellulite. This has involuntarily become the focus of this blog, and while I will not rule out anything that will be conducive to cellulite reduction, weight loss, and overall better physical health, I will more than likely continue to explore this somewhat narrow vein of subject matter, I guess until I feel like I have either exhausted it, or just plain get bored with it (LOL). At any rate, as we discuss how to combat cellulite, there are always contributing factors to cellulite formation, and as you and I both know, nothing ever appears out of thin air. Although we live in a society that likes to deny that effects do indeed have causes, deep down all of us know that if something is right there staring us in the face, it had to come from somewhere. With this in mind, much of this talk of combating cellulite needs to be focused on how cellulite came to be there in the first place. There are a few factors to consider, and I want to present them not as cold hard & fast rules, but rather just “probable causes” of cellulite.

Many medical journals like to report that genetics, heredity, and the “hand you’ve been dealt” at the gene pool have much to do with why cellulite has reared its ugly head in those problem areas (think hips, thighs, buttocks, etc.). As I believe I have stated before, cellulite can be found in approximately 90% of post-pubescent women…that’s a pretty staggering figure, and one that Hollywood and the celebrity crowd would not like for you to believe. That literally means that you could randomly pick any 100 women walking on a busy street in Manhattan, and only 10 of them would not have some evidence of cellulite on their bodies somewhere. This is actually fairly encouraging (in a weird way), because it lets you know that you are not alone…there are many women engaged in this fat reduction/cellulite reduction fight with you. Another contributing factor is simply having a poor diet. Any type of diet that can wreak havoc on your metabolism simply due to the type of foods that are being consumed can qualify as a poor diet. This includes the “usual suspects” such as fried foods, high-fat foods in general, foods that are over-laden with sugar and empty carbs, as well as alcoholic beverages and excessive caffeine. (Some of you are probably saying “Well, what kind of foods are left that I can eat? You named all the good stuff.” LOL) Processed foods are a very formidable accomplice as well, because they are known for loading your body with toxins that are hard to get rid of, which in turn end up getting trapped in those fat cells, which again contributes to the development of cellulite. There are those in the medical and nutritional community that argue whether or not the diet has any true consequential effect on cellulite formation, and some go so far as to deny that the two are connected in any way. My response to them is—hey, the worst that can happen if you modify your diet to only consume those types of food in moderation is that you actually add years to your life, and improve your overall health anyway. So, cellulite aside, it’s never a bad idea to give your general diet a good overhaul…it can only help in the long run.

Now I have only named two contributing factors to cellulite development, and I’m already realizing that I just don’t have the time to name all of them on my list in this one post…got family business to attend to. So, I’ll have to postpone until a more conducive time…in the meantime, I encourage you to combat cellulite in every way that you can, and take a multi-faceted approach to conquer this stubborn beast. Until next time…

Can Coffee Grounds Help You Get Rid of Cellulite?

2008-08-17T01:14:00.005-04:00

You know, as I go along and research more and more ways to get rid of cellulite, I come across some fascinating ideas and methods for cellulite reduction that I honestly never would have even thought to put together. The more I study, the more I realize that there are several tools you can implement in your anti cellulite arsenal that at first glance may seem somewhat unconventional, but my mindset is that as long as it gets the job done, I’m all for it. Even though I haven’t intentionally tried to stay away from focusing on anti cellulite products such as cellulite creams or lotions, I have found myself leaning more towards organic or naturally-based solutions for cellulite reduction…pretty much anything with the holistic vibe is what I’ve ended up taking a liking to. So please forgive me if it seems as though I have neglected some of the more popular means to get rid of cellulite; I’m just traveling down the holistic road for the time being, but I have nothing against a possible change of course in the future.

One of these somewhat holistic methods to get rid of cellulite that has recently come to my attention is the use of coffee grounds to treat cellulite. I’m much more familiar with coffee in the form of a Grande Caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks, so this was definitely news to me. Evidently, coffee is also quite useful as a means to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Let me emphasize that I have not personally attempted this method as of yet, and I haven’t done enough research to know whether or not there is clinical evidence to back up this claim, but there are several websites and places around the Web that endorse the whole coffee grounds method, so I felt that it would definitely be worth a mention on this blog. Now if you’re like me, you may have been thinking of the benefits of coffee only being maybe giving you a “boost” to do some anti cellulite exercises, but the coffee grinds themselves actually carry a benefit that’s somewhat unfamiliar to most people, but pretty cool in my opinion. The main reason why the coffee grinds are useful is not due to the grinds themselves (although there is an ancillary benefit to their granular nature), but rather what they contain: Caffeine, the wonder-drug.

Caffeine and Cellulite

Technically speaking, caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant and diuretic (thanks, Wikipedia). Where caffeine and cellulite meet is the ability of caffeine to improve blood flow, which makes caffeine similar to aminophylline and other drugs that are used to treat conditions like bronchial asthma. Caffeine’s ability to facilitate better blood flow is basically another way to…guess what…improve circulation, which if you’re familiar with my past posts to any degree, you’ll know I’ve been preaching the “circulation gospel” for a long time, as far as where its effect on cellulite formation is concerned. The very nature of cellulite (can you say, stubborn?) makes it a candidate for inadequate blood supply, simply because it is stored fat. This is why caffeine can be such an effective substance to employ, because it can increase the blood flow and blood supply to those problem areas where cellulite has “dug its heels in”, and increase the vascularization of those regions, thereby chipping away (so to speak) at those stubborn fat pockets and minimizing their detrimental effects. At the end of the day, the power of caffeine is its ability to “get things moving”, so to speak, increase blood flow, which, as previously mentioned, is an essential step that improves circulation, which also facilitates better lymphatic drainage, which in turn makes it that much harder for cellulite to form. Wow, what a serious run-on sentence that was!

The Cellulite Coffee Scrub

I’m sure you may be asking, “How can I get caffeine to reduce my cellulite? Do I just drink coffee or something?” Actually, drinking your regular cup of Joe doesn’t aid in cellulite reduction; it hinders it due to the diuretic properties of caffeine. So what’s the catch? Using the actual coffee grounds is where the power is at. Basically, you can create somewhat of a “homemade” cellulite cream using any regular body lotion and coffee grounds. Before you try this, make sure that you are using caffeinated coffee grounds! Don’t pick a decaf coffee, because the “magic” is in the caffeine. Simply crush the coffee grinds into a fine powder (by any means necessary), and then mix them into the body lotion. With these two steps, you have basically created a makeshift coffee-based cellulite lotion that you can then apply to any problem areas. Spread it on the areas that are the “usual suspects” for cellulite development (legs, hips, thighs, buttocks, etc.), let it sit for about a minute, and then rinse it off while you’re in the shower. After repeated applications (and you have to do it consistently every day), you will begin to see your skin take on a more firm and smooth appearance…much better than the old “orange peel” look. This is all there really is to it…I’m just happy that I have discovered yet another potential weapon to use to get rid of cellulite.

Tips for Cellulite Reduction

2008-08-02T11:34:00.002-04:00

In my quest to learn different methods of cellulite reduction, I have come across a deluge of information that can actually just become confusing after a while, if you don’t apply some type of “filter” to what’s being read or heard. There are a ton of different opinions out there, and one only needs to click on a different website to hear a different and even conflicting view about what it takes to get rid of cellulite. One thing is for certain: We know a whale of a lot about the causes of cellulite, as well as its characteristics (dimples, cottage cheese thighs, orange peel skin, etc.), but when it comes to discovering or implementing actual ways to reduce or remove cellulite, many times we find ourselves coming up short. It’s amazing how cellulite has shown itself to be such a “formidable foe”, so to speak. There’s not too many women who can claim that they are exempt from the effects of cellulite, from the fittest and trimmest of us all the way to those of us on the other end of the spectrum. So far with this blog I have covered all kinds of cellulite treatments, from the surgical and clinical (i.e., mesotherapy, ionithermie, endermologie, etc.) all the way down to the most natural and holistic methods of cellulite reduction (diminishing cellulite through nutrition and so forth). Although I have researched and reported on a veritable encyclopedia of cellulite information, I still feel like I’ve only just begun with this blog. I haven’t even started to research various products that can reduce cellulite, such as cellulite creams or lotions, and so forth. I don’t want to claim that I’m an expert in that area yet, because I just haven’t done enough research in those arenas to give an informed opinion. Truthfully, I’m no expert in any of these areas of cellulite reduction information, because I am learning as I go myself. One thing is certain: it’s been a blast doing this, because I’m the kind of person who loves to learn, so this is right up my alley.

One of the prerequisite tips that can be helpful in moving you closer to cellulite reduction is to understand the different types of cellulite that can be present in the body. There is hard cellulite, which often appears or occurs in women who lead active lifestyles, such as joggers, aerobics enthusiasts, or dancers. Although cellulite can be less frequent in women who engage in a consistent routine of physical exercise of some kind, when it does rear its ugly head, it is a much more stubborn version of cellulite to deal with. Although you can implement exercises to get rid of cellulite, you will be up for a more intense fight, so to speak. The reason why the hard cellulite is so…er…hard, to deal with is because it is the type of cellulite that has a direct attachment to the muscles. Soft cellulite, on the other hand, can occur in the larger muscle areas and hangs a bit more loosely from the body. It’s the kind that becomes plainly evident when the “backfield is in motion”, so to speak (LOL). So while one type of cellulite (soft) is easier to get rid of, it has more of a visual impact than the hard cellulite, and can be detected by the eyes a lot easier as well. Soft or hard, however, remember that poor circulation can definitely be a contributing factor to cellulite, and that’s why I have “preached” from the beginning that you need to engage in some kind of cardiovascular exercise to improve your overall blood flow, thus allowing toxins to be more easily flushed out of the body, as well as staving off water retention, which can contribute as well. All of these factors play a part in lymphatic drainage, which is an absolute key to maintaining healthy cells, including fat cells. If lymphatic drainage doesn’t happen in an efficient manner, the next thing you know, the body is trapping toxins that it should be releasing, and fat cells become enlarged, preparing the perfect environment (unfortunately) for cellulite development. To get technical about it, the connective tissue, when put under stress due to enlarged fat cells, passes into a hypertrophic state due to the pressure put on the tissue by the intrusive fat cells. So since we know all this to be true, and the bulk of it stems from a lack of proper circulation, it would behoove us to increase the activities that increase our circulation—i.e., exercise. Always consult your physician before beginning any kind of regular exercise regimen, but I can almost guarantee that most of you can take a simple walk. Taking a stroll is a good way to begin building up your stamina to handle a more structured and demanding exercise regimen. Once you have a couple of weeks under your belt of walking 3 or 4 times a week for 20 minutes at a time, you may want to switch to more of a walk/run routine, and then later take it to a complete all-out jogging session, all to build up more stamina and prepare for strength training. Take it easy, take it slow, and don’t expect too much in the line of “fantasies” regarding getting rid of cellulite in 1 day or anything like that. I know that by now I really sound repetitive, but exercise can help anyone get healthier, whether or not you’re dealing with cellulite. Consistent good diet and regular exercise may very well be the most effective cellulite remover after all. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers who slam diet and exercise and say that there’s no clinical proof that diet and exercise directly contribute to cellulite reduction. At the end of the day, your body will thank you regardless.

Cellulite Reduction Exercises (Part One)

2008-07-26T16:04:00.004-04:00

It seems like I’ve caught myself in the middle of a somewhat accidental series on cellulite reduction…the word just keeps ringing in my head. The more I’m writing about ways to get rid of cellulite, the more I realize how expansive this topic really is. You can check through my archives to find out several different causes of cellulite (even though I don’t feel as though I have adequately covered this enough either), as well as ways to diminish cellulite through proper nutrition. Being the natural-minded, organic-minded, holistic-minded person that I am, I always believe it’s better to go the all natural route to eliminate the ol’ cottage cheese thighs instead of going straight to the chemicals and different things. But don’t get me wrong, I have NOTHING against the different cellulite creams and so forth that are available on the market, and in time I will review some of those different anti cellulite products here on this blog, but I definitely have a substantial amount of reading, studying, and researching to do before I tackle such a vast subject. I always like to put that statement out there so that some people who may think I’m “preaching” only natural cellulite remedies can know that I am an advocate of WHATEVER works, as long as it doesn’t totally destroy you in the process. Many of you that have been with me for a while can attest, I definitely prefer the “no-pain” approach first, as in no surgery, since I am horribly averse to needles, and scalpels, and practically any type of medical equipment designed to invade my space (LOL). I would much rather choose a different (and more natural) approach to diminishing cellulite than going “under the knife”, so to speak. I can only speak from experience, and I have never personally undergone any surgical procedure to remove cellulite, so I can only speak from a limited perspective on that end, but at the same time I don’t want to rule anything out as a possible cellulite cure, because hey, we’re all in this together. The more I’ve been studying and scouring the Web, the more I have realized that there are way more people who are dealing with the cellulite problem than those who are not. Many of our most famous actors and actresses are actually concealing a little cellulite of their own. You don’t see it many times when you look at photos of celebrities, because they know how to hide it very well (Photoshop, anyone?). Yep, that’s right, many of these celebrities’ photos are touched up, airbrushed, and so forth so that their flaws aren’t as visible as those of us who don’t have this kind of help at our disposal. It’s actually a big bunch of pretense, you know? So many people look up to those celebrities and think that they have no flaws, but in reality there are probably (proportionately) just as many celebrities with cellulite as there are us normal folks…in a relative sense—I think you understand what I’m saying.

At any rate, on to the point of this post…I know I end up rambling many times. Writing these posts is like therapy for me sometimes. But the main point of the post was to deal with cellulite reduction, and the importance of exercise as a component in your overall “plan of attack” to reduce cellulite and get that orange peel skin out of your life! As the post title suggests, we’re going to talk about how to exercise for cellulite reduction. A lot of people ask about aerobic exercise and the role it should play in reducing cellulite. They wonder if it’s an effective cure, or if it’s a waste of time. My thought has always been, more exercise is always better than less, more information on how to properly eat is better than less, more cardiovascular workouts are better than less, and more muscle building exercises are better than less. A strong body is a healthy body. Now if you’re a woman, that doesn’t mean that you have to look like the female version of Arnold Schwarzenegger (although that’s your prerogative and if you want to look like that, then hey, knock yourself out). I’m simply saying that doing strength training exercises will always be a good deterrent to cellulite formation, due to the fat-burning power of muscles that are in shape. It has been proven that even while the muscles are at rest, and no exercise is being done, if your muscles are more fit and strong through weight training (light or heavy), they burn fat at a higher rate even while at rest. So it makes sense to focus some of your strength training efforts on your hips, thighs, and buttocks to have those muscles burning fat instead of falling victim to the accumulation of fat within the fat cells, causing the dimpled appearance of cellulite. I almost hesitate to say this, but one of the most effective exercises you can do is just simple squats. I’m not even talking about squats with weights; I’m talking about squats with no resistance except your own body weight. The best way to do squats is to stand with your feet shoulder width apart, your toes pointing very slightly outward. Once you’re in this stance, just simply act like you’re sitting down in a chair and squat until your upper thighs are parallel to the poor. Make sure that your shins stay perpendicular to the floor, so that you don’t put too much pressure on your knees. If you start noticing that your knees are advancing past your toes when you squat, you’re putting too much pressure on those patellar tendons (I think that’s how you spell it). Also, you will need to keep your back straight. Don’t squat too far at an angle to where your butt is protruding way out and your back is no longer perpendicular to the floor. Also, keep your head up, looking straight ahead. I know the temptation will be for you to look down at your legs or whatever, but just keep your head looking straight ahead. If you simply commit to doing 4 sets of 25 of these types of squats (100 total) every other day, you will truly build a foundation of lower-body strength that will enable you to tackle the more complex exercises which can target the more cellulite prone problem areas. One more thing to mention in this regard…make sure to stretch before doing these squats…you’ll thank me later. And also, be sure to consult a physician before starting any type of exercise routine, especially if you’re eager to get going on some specific cellulite reduction exercises; don’t let your eagerness get the best of you to where you skip out on taking the necessary steps to approach your cellulite reduction efforts safely. Well, that’s all for now…I have managed to write another “epic” (LOL), and it’s only Part One, so I’m signing off. Have a great one!

Cellulite Reduction and You

2008-07-10T17:10:00.004-04:00

As I continue in my journey of learning the various available methods of cellulite reduction and the role that each one plays, I have found that you cannot become too compartmentalized in your approach to diminishing cellulite. As far as cellulite reduction methods are concerned, trust me, more “ammunition” is better than less. It is better for you to adopt a broad base of methods, treatments, products, etc. to fight cellulite rather than just pigeonholing yourself, so to speak, with only one type of method or procedure. Those of you who have visited my blog before will note that I am the first one to advocate simple diet and exercise as one of the most long-standing and effective anti cellulite recipes out there. Strength training, especially in the lower body area where the “scene of the cellulite crime” is located, is a definite plus to help boost circulation and increase the effectiveness of lymphatic drainage. If you are not familiar with what lymphatic drainage is, I recommend you read my previous post about cellulite reduction to get a better picture of what it’s all about, but in short form, the more effective your body’s lymphatic drainage system is, the easier it will be for toxins to get flushed out of the body, creating a healthier overall look for your skin. Some people are just bottled up with toxins because their diet is so poor and they live sedentary lifestyles. That’s a combination that has been proven to lead to a low quality of physical health and an early death. Nobody wants that! So, in most of the posts on this blog, you’ll see a recurring theme, and it is that of the necessity of diligence, discipline, and commitment to your goal of cellulite reduction. Sorry to say, but there are no free lunches where this thing is concerned…it is going to take some WORK. But the great thing about it is, when you commit to doing the work that it takes to facilitate cellulite reduction, day in and day out, week in and week out, you will actually find fulfillment in the work itself, not just in the end result. All of a sudden you will become motivated by the fact that you’ve been taking action, and it begins to feed on itself, and your efforts begin to snowball, and do you know what happens? You develop momentum, which is an absolute key to reducing cellulite, or any other objective for that matter. So what am I saying in short form? I’m really just saying that the real cellulite remedy is just plain and simple, common sense, real deal WORK. And that’s never easy. But think about it: How many desirable things in life are actually handed to us on a platter? Not many, and most of the time if it comes easy, it also goes easy, and there’s not too much permanence to what we obtain. The reason why is because in our efforts to achieve fast weight loss, or pursue some wonder-working cellulite eraser, we skip the lessons that are to be learned at each step in the process. You never develop the work ethic that’s required, you never develop the internal discipline that’s required, and you never develop the steadfastness that is required to maintain the victory over cellulite that you may achieve, however temporary that victory might be. Most things that come quick are short-lived. But if you were to commit to a butt-kicking exercise program, or some kind of exercise regimen that could accompany the other treatments or products that you might try, such as anti cellulite pants, or a cellulite patch, or any type of cellulite treatment in general, you would be that much more well-rounded in your approach to cellulite reduction.

Now even though I have spent a considerable amount of time talking in a general sense about cellulite reduction, I did want to emphasize very how important your water intake is to reducing the appearance of cellulite. Water, as you know, comprises about 75-80% of the body’s physical makeup (I’m going off the top of my head on this one but I know that this claim can be substantiated somewhere on the Web), and is one of the most important elements of reducing cellulite that you can implement into your diet. If you are thinking that you can get rid of cellulite but yet drink nothing but sodas and caffeine-laced products, you are truly shooting yourself in the foot. Even in my post about endermologie I talked about how water intake played a vital role in creating a more effective overall treatment for cellulite, due to water’s ability to hydrate the skin, and give the skin its much-needed support as far as making it more supple and smoother. Water is also a vital ingredient in eliminating toxins from the human system, which as I have explained previously (so much that I sound like a broken record), you have to do in order to keep your fat cells from retaining those toxins, becoming engorged, and then damaging the connective tissue surrounding them, thus creating the “perfect storm” setup for the cottage cheese thighs to emerge. My suggestion, or advice, or whatever I can call it without getting into legal trouble (see disclaimer below--LOL) is that you should drink an average of eight to ten 8-oz. glasses of water every single day. This sounds like a lot, and it sounds difficult, but it’s easy if you break it down into manageable chunks. Drink one glass when you first wake up, and then one glass about once every hour (on average), and then you will have accomplished your goal without feeling like you’re a fish. You will be surprised at the number of positive benefits you will get out of this, and many of these benefits will be somewhat ancillary (your face will have more of a “glow”, etc.), but they will be well worth your effort. They will also contribute greatly to the reduction of cellulite by virtue of water’s ability to eliminate toxins from your system.

All in all, the major key to cellulite reduction, if I may state it again, is that of diligence and patience in the efforts you are making to get rid of cellulite. Maintain that attitude every day, and cellulite reduction will be one step closer to becoming a reality every day as well.

Cellulite Reduction: The Real Deal

2008-06-29T17:00:00.006-04:00

Cellulite Reduction Factors

In your quest to gather information about cellulite reduction, you may have scoured the Web time and time again, and only gathered bits and pieces, a nugget here and maybe a helpful tip there. Hopefully these different fragments of information have acted as pieces of a “cellulite reduction” puzzle that you’re working on, to help you make the most informed decisions possible regarding how to get rid of cellulite. I can go ahead and tell you, as I have often mentioned in my past posts, that it takes more than just one particular idea, product, or methodology to successfully diminish the appearance of cellulite. There are both internal and external aspects to consider, along with lifestyle choices, nutritional choices, and then supplemental choices (i.e., should you purchase a cellulite cream, or get a cellulite treatment, etc.). The most effective approach to take when attempting to remove cellulite is a multi-pronged, multi-faceted approach, hopefully to form a stronger overall front against the onslaught of cellulite formation. One thing holds true regardless: Cases of instant cures or overnight successes are few and far between, if any at all, in the arena of cellulite reduction. Whatever route you take, whether it will be a cellulite treatment or a more holistic approach based on nutrition and exercises to remove cellulite, expect to utilize the principles of patience and diligence in applying those methods. I’ve been singing that song for so long on this blog that I’m sure my regular readers (if any--LOL) think I sound like a broken record. The whole point of me even saying all of this is that as I am doing my research about different ways to get rid of cellulite, and reporting my findings on this blog, I will have to say that every post I share can be simply another piece of your “cellulite reduction” puzzle…just add it to the other information you’re collecting from different places on the Web, and hopefully, if nothing else, I have at least made the picture slightly clearer for you.

So on to the topic at hand—cellulite reduction. As you may already know, the factors that contribute to cellulite formation are manifold, and it’s hard many times to pinpoint one particular culprit when you’re doing your “forensic research” on how the cellulite got there in the first place. I figured that I would share some of the more common causes for cellulite development that I have discovered over the months that I’ve been doing this research on cellulite reduction. In a nutshell, there are five fairly common causes of cellulite development, or contributors to cellulite development; the first one is crash diets. When you go on a crash diet (a symptom of the “quick fix” mentality), your body goes into confusion because you have disrupted the process of homeostasis, which is a fancy term meaning “keeping everything the same” or “keeping everything constant”. Your body will then store the very fat you’re trying to shed, the fat that is the basis for cellulite formation, because it’s thinking that it has to preserve this fat, since it doesn’t know if any more fat is coming around anytime soon. Think about it: If you had no guarantee of having any food for tomorrow, how much food would you eat today? If you’re smart, you would store the majority of it away and portion it out very conservatively, until you could get a clue as to when your next meal might be. The same is true with crash dieting; it sends those same types of signals to the body.

The second factor is taking medications that inadvertently encourage the development of cellulite. It has been reported that sleeping pills and diuretics are some of the main culprits that can facilitate cellulite formation. Don’t forget birth control pills as well—as we discussed in a past post about cellulite nutrition, estrogen is one of the main allies of cellulite development. Another by-product to watch out for is the water retention that can happen from taking birth control pills. Water retention means your body is not properly flushing out toxins, which is another contributing factor to cellulite formation. The third potential cause of cellulite development is smoking. I know it’s hard on the ears for many people who have yet to kick the habit, but when you smoke, in addition to all the other health risks you’re exposing your body to, now you have the potential to damage your connective tissue as well by ingesting those dangerous chemicals into your body. Once the connective tissue is damaged, the skin has weak support, and the next thing you know, it’s “Hello cottage cheese thighs”. The fourth factor is living a sedentary lifestyle. It is necessary for you to keep your body active so that your connective tissue doesn’t harden, but rather stays flexible and resilient. Exercise helps this process right along, as well as improving circulation (a must when trying to get rid of cellulite due to the effect it has on lymphatic drainage), and improving overall muscle tone. Lastly, the fifth factor is poor diet. This is where I’m really beginning to sound like a broken record. You know I’m a big fan of natural and holistic approaches to cellulite removal, and I have long been a firm believer in the connection between cellulite and nutrition. Diets that are high in saturated fats and processed foods are a definite contributing factor to cellulite development. Also, if you are a big fan of alcohol or caffeine, please take into account the way these substances weigh in on cellulite formation due to the toxins from these substances getting suppressed in the fatty tissue.

At the end of the day, the real deal behind cellulite reduction is simply the choices you make in the different arenas of diet, exercise, and general lifestyle. Hopefully I have added a few more pieces to your “cellulite puzzle” to get you going in the right direction. Until next time...

Tips to Remove Cellulite

2008-06-20T00:01:00.003-04:00

Since the inception of this blog, my goal has been to provide practical tips to remove cellulite, and to cover as many different types of cellulite reduction methods as possible, both holistic and natural, and also the more surgery-based (or clinically based) professional procedures. I can’t say that, when I began this journey, I really thought I would arrive at the “miracle cure” or that there was some kind of pot at the end of the “cellulite rainbow”; the one thing that I wanted to make absolutely clear from the onset is that this blog was (and is) simply an exploration of the different cellulite reduction methods and options that are available for any person that is seeking a solution for the “orange peel skin” syndrome. One of the major issues with finding any type of permanent cellulite cure is the fact that the root of the problem goes so much farther than skin deep; it is actually a problem that reaches to the very core of our metabolic process, and I think it would be reasonable to assume that tampering with any of those types of bodily systems by way of medicines or surgical procedures would be a very complex task, and one that I think we are still quite a few years away from mastering to any degree. So, try as we all might, with our multiple fad diets that are based on popular diet plans, our exercise regimens, and our various cellulite creams, lotions and potions, we must realize that it will always require a multi-faceted approach to deal with the multi-faceted problem of cellulite. To really see sustainable, measurable results as far as cellulite reduction is concerned, we have to realize that a total, all-around approach is best, which would include a change (or at least some type of modification) of our diets, as well as incorporating some type of exercise program to help boost circulation, which as I explained in my post about cellulite reduction, is one of the golden keys to preventing the formation of cellulite.

Unfortunately, most “victims” of cellulite’s attack find out that they have it only after the outward evidence of cellulite begins to appear on the skin’s surface; think dimpled look and cottage cheese thighs. The truth of the matter is that it started way before the outward evidence even began to show. There are fat storage issues to consider, metabolism issues to consider, hormonal issues to consider, and a host of other hereditary and physiological factors that can all play a part in the development of cellulite. But by and large, one of the most all-purpose ways to help reduce the appearance of cellulite is simple diet and exercise. It’s pretty obvious that if you have a diet that’s high in saturated fats, you are probably going to be storing more fat, and if the connective tissue surrounding your fat cells is not resilient enough to keep those engorged fat cells from compressing together, you are going to end up with the dreaded “hail damage” look. This makes exercise all the more important, not only for boosting metabolism and improving circulation, but also for the fat-burning aspects of developing lean muscle through strength training and good cardiovascular workouts. This is not the easiest thing on the ears, I know, because it does require work, but if you’re serious about getting rid of cellulite, you’ll commit to the process that it will require, and you won’t be expecting overnight results, because trust me, they won’t happen. Again, to date there is no absolute cure for cellulite, as in something that can 100% eliminate all traces of it, both internally and externally, but there are several methods, procedures, and treatments that can greatly aid in diminishing the appearance of cellulite, many of which I have already covered in my previous posts.

So what are some of the causes of cellulite? If we can identify these, we will have a better chance of successfully countering them with this multi-pronged approach that I’m talking about. One major cause is lack of sufficient water intake. So many people are literally dying of thirst; their bodies are dehydrated due to not drinking enough water, and drinking too many other things such as carbonated drinks, that actually have a detrimental effect on the body’s hydration. Another cause is poor diet, which basically boils down to eating fried foods, greasy foods, foods that are high in sugar, and drinking too much caffeine and alcohol, all of which load the body with toxins, and if a person’s lymphatic system is out of whack, the body cannot eliminate the toxins fast enough to prevent the “cellulite stage” from being set.

So, even though I have named this post “Tips to Remove Cellulite”, the truth of the matter is, there is but one real “tip”, and that is the fact that you must approach and attack cellulite from every possible angle, with a combination of diet, exercise, and lifestyle change, as well as with some of the commercial products that are on the market, such as cellulite creams and lotions and so forth.

I would love to write more, but the bed is calling, and I must obey. Until next time, continue in your mission to remove cellulite!

Cellulite Laser Treatment: Is It for You?

2008-06-12T23:05:00.003-04:00

Is the Cellulite Laser Treatment for You?

I have decided to cover a slightly different aspect of cellulite reduction with this post; namely, cellulite laser treatment. There truly are all types of varieties and flavors of surgical and non-surgical methods of cellulite removal, and I have covered quite a few in this blog already (see the archives for more extensive coverage). As a person who is somewhat needle-and-knife averse, I have to admit that the descriptions of some of these cellulite treatment procedures that I have already covered (think mesotherapy) make me a little squeamish. I simply don’t like needles, and the idea of someone cutting on me to get rid of the dimples that come from cellulite is not the most appealing thing in the world, although the results are definitely desirable. But, to each his own…there are some people that can go “under the knife” or “under the needle” for the sake of health and beauty all day long. I guess some people would call me a “wimp” for even admitting this, but that is one of the reasons why I have primarily covered non-invasive (non-surgical) cellulite reduction methods, as well as covering the different aspects of nutrition and its place in preventing cellulite. It just seems safer, pleasant and more…er, tame, I guess, to use preventative measures such as eating foods that diminish cellulite, rather than going all-out and undergoing some type of medical procedure to get the job done. Don’t get me wrong; again I say, to each his own, and in the spirit of fairness it’s only right that I cover the plethora of ways to get rid of cellulite. I’m definitely not against any particular method, nor am I against anyone that would want to go a different route to reduce cellulite than what my personal preference might be. It’s kind of funny that I felt I had to include that somewhat “politically correct” disclaimer, but that’s the mental conditioning of the world we live in, I guess. Go figure.

At any rate, back to the subject at hand. I was actually surprised at how challenging it was to find specific information on the Web regarding cellulite laser treatment, especially when it came to the actual nuts-and-bolts procedure, but I’m going to give it a whirl based on what data I was able to gather. The cellulite laser treatment procedure employs focused infrared rays that are directed at the affected area (in other words, the spot with the most visible cellulite). The rationale behind using the laser is its ability to get under the surface of the skin, as cellulite is obviously a subcutaneous condition (the “roots” of cellulite are beneath the skin’s surface). Radio frequency energies are also used, and many times the entire procedure is practiced in combination with an Endermologie® approach as well. What I mean by this is that the suction rollers that are used in Endermologie® cellulite treatments are also employed in the cellulite laser treatment, to provide both an external and internal “assault” on cellulite. This procedure is non-invasive, though there are risks of burns from the laser beams (obviously), so those with sensitive skin, do your homework before taking this procedure on. As I have stated before, and now have included in my disclaimer (see the bottom of the page), although I love to do research and report on the different methods of cellulite reduction that are out there, please do not mistake my writings for a professional opinion. I am no medical professional; I just have an interest in providing quality information that could possibly help to better inform people about the options that are available to them in their quest to get rid of cellulite.

I can tell it’s getting late (and I’m getting tired) because I’m starting to “drift” off-topic a little bit. One thing that I wanted to be different about this blog was that I wanted it to not just be a cold, clinical information repository on cellulite (although information is what I am striving to provide); I also wanted it to have somewhat of a “personal” feel, although cellulite is definitely not one of the warmest topics I could have selected (LOL).

And once again, back to the cellulite laser treatment. It takes a professional with a good understanding of the composition of the skin to properly apply the laser treatment; this is why you should definitely stick with reputable service providers if you are considering this option. You definitely don’t want to “go cheap” for this one…you may come out better at the bank, but you could also get cooked in the process! Speaking of the bank, the cellulite laser treatment is not the easiest on the pocketbook, either…though each treatment session only lasts between twenty to thirty minutes, you can pay anywhere in the neighborhood of $75.00 to $150.00 for one session. The average amount of treatments recommended is between six to twelve sessions spread out over a two-to-three-month period. Once this initial series of treatments is performed, visible results should have been attained, and then it is recommended that you attend “maintenance” sessions on a once-per-month basis.

One of the most common pieces of equipment used in the cellulite laser treatment is the DEKA Triactive Laser System. According to the claims of the manufacturer, the Triactive system employs laser diodes, rhythmic massage, and a built-in cooling system, all designed to stimulate lymphatic drainage (see more about the importance of lymphatic drainage in my post about cellulite reduction), increase circulation and promote waste elimination in the body, all of which are important factors in reducing cellulite.

As with any procedure, do your homework to decide whether or not the cellulite laser treatment is the way you should go. Contact some of the firms that offer the treatment and get more information, as well as the potential side effects and risks of such a procedure. Until next time…continue in your quest to get rid of cellulite!

Cellulite Massage: How Effective Is It?

2008-06-06T23:00:00.005-04:00

As this blog progresses, I'm finding a need to cover other techniques to help remove cellulite, which leads me to one of my new findings, the cellulite massage. (Please note that when I say "new findings", I'm mainly referring to the finding being new for me, even if it's been around for a long time.) There are truly a plethora of different techniques, methodologies, and products all designed in some manner or another to aid in the process of getting rid of cellulite, with varying levels of success. So far, in all of my research, I cannot honestly say that I have found one clinically proven technique, methodology, or product that completely eliminates cellulite, as in not leaving any trace whatsoever; what I have discovered is that most of the different cellulite reduction methods fall more in the category of "damage control" than anything else. In other words, they provide a certain degree of cosmetic benefit, but attacking cellulite at the root (and eliminating it completely) is much more difficult to accomplish. This is not to say that there is no product or procedure out there that can fully kick cellulite's butt (no pun intended), I'm just saying that I haven't found it yet.

But before I fully drift off onto a tangent (which is VERY easy for me to do), I want to get back to the focus of this post, the cellulite massage. Cellulite massage techniques are commonly practiced, and do not require the same level of medical proficiency as the other more complex treatments and procedures. Any person certified in massage therapy can perform this procedure, and it is non-invasive (no surgery required), so that automatically makes it more appealing to the "scalpel-averse".

The Cellulite Massage Procedure

The average massage session lasts approximately an hour. Clients are asked to remove only as much clothing as is personally comfortable to them, and then they are asked to lay on a padded table. During the actual treatment, only the parts of the body that are being worked on need to be exposed; towels are provided to cover everything else.

The Purpose of the Cellulite Massage

As I have explained in my previous post on cellulite reduction, lymphatic drainage (or the lack thereof) plays a major part in the development of cellulite. Low levels or inadequate levels of lymphatic drainage causes the body's cells to retain waste, which also increases the pressure placed on the fat cells, causing damage to the surrounding collagen fibers and creating the "orange peel skin" look of cellulite. All of this is aggravated, and the potential for it increased, by poor circulation. This is where the cellulite massage comes into play. The masseur/masseuse applies a "kneading" action that is reported to stimulate an increase in circulation; this is considered to be one of the prime purposes (and benefits) of the massage. Also listed as viable side benefits of the cellulite massage are reduced muscle tension and a general increased feeling of relaxation.

How Effective is the Cellulite Massage?

Nobody can accurately quantify the full effectiveness of the cellulite massage, simply due to the fact that the techniques applied by massage therapists can greatly vary. There is simply not enough stable "controls" to draw a definite conclusion. At any rate, the cellulite massage is yet another potential tool in your arsenal of weaponry against cellulite.

Cellulite Removal: Is It Possible?

2008-05-31T21:08:00.003-04:00

Ninety percent of all post-pubescent women are affected by cellulite in some kind of way; this leads me to believe that 90% of all post-pubescent women are also interested in cellulite removal. Cottage cheese thighs, orange peel skin, whatever you want to call it, it’s never a pleasant thing to deal with, and all of us would much rather be rid of it altogether. The real question that floats around in most women’s heads is “Can I really even get rid of this stuff, or am I doomed to deal with cellulite thighs (or hips or buttocks) all the days of my life?”

Once again, I feel it is important for me to emphasize that there are no “magic cures” for cellulite, no matter how much we all may wish there were. Cellulite removal normally requires a multi-faceted approach to increase the potential for effectiveness. Cardiovascular workouts never hurt, no matter if your aim is to get rid of cellulite or not. I’m a huge proponent of exercise, as in the long run, it will promote overall good health, which is what we’re all after to begin with. I would discourage any type of activity that promotes abnormally rapid weight loss, as the “shock” to your body’s system that fast weight loss can facilitate may end up being counter-productive. Many times, when people attempt to lose weight too fast, their body may actually retain fat because it’s going into “starvation mode”, since the body is not accustomed to such erratic changes in weight and/or diet. Success in these matters can be perfectly illustrated by the tortoise vs. the hare—slow & steady always wins the race. This mentality of patience is counter-intuitive to most people, especially in the era that we live in, where everything is microwave, instant pudding, and gotta-have-it-now. Some things never change, and we cannot circumvent the system, no matter how much we wish things were another way. I believe that this mentality of patience is what can make cellulite removal more attainable.

So what do I mean by a multi-faceted approach? I definitely don’t want to “preach” against any type of anti cellulite creams, even though many times I have emphasized natural cellulite remedies (see my post about how to diminish cellulite through proper nutrition). I also wouldn’t want to sound like I’m opposing any medically based cellulite treatments or procedures, such as dermabrasion, ionithermie, or others that I have already covered (check out the post archives for more information). At the end of the day, whatever gets the job done, with the least amount of “collateral damage” as possible, is what you should go with. It would be foolish to endanger your overall health just for the sake of changing an aspect of your appearance, so I would never advocate questionable methods of cellulite reduction. I guess I’m simply saying that balance is the key in all of these situations. Without balance, even the best of intentions can end you up in a heap of trouble, and your health may be endangered for a bad or out-of-balance decision.

It’s funny, because as I’m writing this, I’m looking back at the previous couple of paragraphs I’ve written and it looks like I’m trying to sound like some kind of “wise cellulite sage” or what have you. I just want people to understand that these things take time and patience, that’s all. We live in such an impatient world, where instant gratification is the norm, and where people no longer have the maturity to realize that something worth having is worth waiting for and working for. It’s easy for this mentality to creep in to all different types of areas of your life, and health & beauty is definitely no exception.

As we move along with this blog, I will continue covering more aspects of cellulite reduction, including other procedures and cellulite treatments that I am continually researching. I will also begin to explore some of the anti cellulite products that are on the market, to provide yet another aspect of reducing cellulite that should not be ignored. Until then, continue in your battle, and do your best to be patient with yourself. There’s not a person on this planet that feels like cellulite removal is happening fast enough, so you’re not alone. So long until next time…

Getting Rid of Cellulite -- Is Today Going to Be the Day?

2008-05-22T22:05:00.004-04:00

I was thinking of ways to memorialize my tenth post about getting rid of cellulite, which is quite a big deal, for those who know how long my posts normally are. I kept thinking about how much information we are all flooded with on a daily basis about diet and exercise, and how many advertisements show us people with ripped bodies who are so happy to be ripped, and how "easy" it is for you to do the same thing. I thought about all the different things that people can think about when it comes to losing weight and diminishing cellulite, such as your body mass index, body contouring, aerobic exercise, anti-aging cream, etc., etc., on and on and on. It can almost get dizzying how much information is out there, telling you what to do and how much you are falling short when you don't do it. And that's when it hit me.

You can know all of the right things to do, down to a "T". You can know how much food to eat, what type of food to eat, how much exercise to do, and what type of exercises to do. You can walk around with a head completely crammed with knowledge, but if you never do anything, you're no farther along than the person who knows nothing.

Take this blog for instance. I have researched and provided tons of information on Endermologie®, ionithermie, mesotherapy, and other ways to reduce cellulite or fight cellulite. I have also explained the other side (the more holistic side) of cellulite reduction that deals with nutrition and the proper types of exercises to help you get rid of cellulite. But the bottom line is, if you don't DO anything with all the information, you'll still be in the same place you are right now. I think a lot of times we think that if we learn enough, that's what's going to make us take action and do what we're learning about. But there are some people who never move past the learning stage, and end up learning for decades without doing one single solitary thing to move them closer to their goal. If this happens, they're never going to see the very thing they're hoping for. I know that this blog is primarily about cellulite reduction, but this applies to all areas of life. You have to actually get off your butt and take some ACTION to get what you want. So I'm hoping that this post will give you somewhat of a "kick in the butt" to move you towards your goal of getting rid of cellulite.

I guess you could say that this is more of an "editorial" type post than the normal types of posts I write, which are admittedly dry, and oftentimes even clinical-sounding. But I'm determined to keep providing more and more information about this subject, because I know that if I give people more tools in their toolbox, so to speak, I'll provide a decent value to them. To this end, I will continue to do more and more research about all kinds of cellulite reduction methods, and present my findings here, hopefully to help someone out there in cyberspace.

If you think about it, I'm 10 posts into this, and I haven't even scratched the surface. I still have to talk more about the many different anti cellulite creams that are out there, as well as giving some decent attention to creating an anti cellulite diet. But, before I get off on a tangent, I just want to encourage whoever is reading this to become a person of ACTION. Talk truly is cheap. And although I do provide a ton of information on this blog, it will do you no good if you don't take some aspect of it and act on it to make something happen. Not to get cheesy on you, but if you remember that song from the movie "Flashdance", it said "take your passion and make it happen". Yes, that is an extremely bad 80's reference, but it does make good sense. Become passionate about getting rid of cellulite, passionate enough to do something about it instead of just talking the talk.

As always, stay tuned for more to come as we move forward...

Cellulite Exercises -- Workouts to Help You Get Rid of Cellulite

2008-05-18T22:23:00.010-04:00

For those of you that have been with me for a while, you know I can get quite wordy with my posts about cellulite reduction, cellulite treatments, and so forth. As I am continuing to explore the myriad of ways to get rid of cellulite, it didn't occur to me until recently that I could use other types of media on my blog to provide quality information to my visitors. To this end, I decided to search YouTube for some decent videos on getting rid of cellulite. Of course, some of the first to pop up dealt with anti cellulite exercises. I thought that I would feature them here to add a visual touch to my blog, as well as to continue to provide useful information for anyone searching for the "cellulite solution".

I found two videos that feature an energetic young lady performing anti cellulite workouts...from the look of the videos, you better be ready to sweat if you want to follow along! Here they are...

Anti Cellulite Workout Video (Part One)

Anti Cellulite Workout Video (Part Two)

Until next time...continue in your quest to get rid of cellulite!

How to Diminish Cellulite Through Proper Nutrition

2008-05-13T23:28:00.000-04:00

Diminishing Cellulite Through Proper Nutrition

This post is for people who are interested in how to diminish cellulite, but maybe not through the more "traditional" means (if you want to call it that) of buying some type of body sculpturing lotion or thigh cream, or even engaging in some sort of cellulite treatment procedure such as mesotherapy or ionithermie. While I'm not against any of those methods, and have covered (and will cover) a wide variety of ways to get rid of cellulite, I have always taken a special interest in adopting a more preventative method rather than something where you're "catching up from behind", so to speak. In other words, as I have stated before, the old adage is very true: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

To this end I created two posts in April regarding how to prevent cellulite at its onset. Feel free to check them out at the links below:

Eight Methods of Cellulite Prevention (Part One)

Eight Methods of Cellulite Prevention (Part Two)

This post is going to follow in that same vein of attacking celluite by a more proactive approach, rather than a reactive approach. We will cover the importance of proper nutrition in helping to reduce cellulite, and how truly vital it is to feed your body the right fuel it needs to combat the ever-stubborn "cottage cheese thighs" that we're all trying to conquer.

One thing that must be cleared up before we even get started is the fact that there really is no known concrete absolute cure for cellulite. All we really have are methods and products that can treat cellulite, and hopefully reduce its appearance. That being said, there are ways to set yourself up to be a better candidate for cellulite reduction, and put the "odds in your favor", so to speak. Proper nutrition is one of those ways.

It must be noted that cellulite affects people that are underweight just as much as people that are obese. That being said, it is also widely documented that lower levels of bodyfat do dramatically improve the body's ability to combat the formation of cellulite. This is where diet comes into play. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the importance of exercise; yes, like it or not, it's hard to get around the dreaded "E" word if you want to make some serious progress in getting rid of cellulite. The whole exercise piece is much too big to try and cover along with the diet piece, so I will have to devote several posts just to address the exercise portion of the formula. For now, however, diet takes the spotlight. This post will primarily discuss the different ways that diet affects the formation of cellulite. But before we can even get into the type of foods necessary to facilitate the right reaction in your body to create a cellulite reducing environment, we have to give time to discuss the very fat cells themselves that are the stubborn source of the whole problem.

The Role of Insulin in Body Fat Regulation

The level of insulin in your body directly affects the body's ability to store or metabolize fat. Increased fat storage is a result of increased insulin secretion levels. From this fat storage comes the wonderful blessing to mankind known as cellulite.

One of the best ways to regulate the body's insulin levels is to eliminate (or greatly reduce) the "simple sugars" that can so easily dominate the diet. These simple sugars are also known as simple carbohydrates, which most of the time skyrocket your insulin levels in a short period of time. Think donuts, cookies, soft drinks, and basically anything that actually tastes good. Of course, right after the "sugar high" comes the sugar crash, and you're left wandering around looking and feeling like a zombie. In short, these are not the kinds of carbs that you're after.

Adding the more complex carbohydrates (also known as "slow burn" carbs) to your diet is much more desirable, because they metabolize at a more "stable" rate. Combined with a healthy dose of vegetables and fruits, you have a much better recipe for an insulin-regulating diet, which can facilitate a slower fat storage rate, thus reducing the potential for cellulite to form.

Collagen Breakdown and the Foods That Can Help Slow It Down

Many people (especially women) experience cellulite because of collagen breakdown. As we age, the elasticity of the skin decreases, and this is primarily due to collagen breakdown as well. I covered the importance of collagen and elastin production in Part Two of my posts about how to prevent cellulite. Looking back on those posts, I still can't believe how long they are, but they're well worth the read if you have a couple of spare hours or so (LOL).

As I covered in my very first post, "Welcome to Getting Rid of Cellulite", estrogen is one of the primary hormones at work in the development of cellulite. Estrogen is also a major factor in the breakdown of collagen, and can wreak havoc on the overall strength of the skin. As a matter of fact, it's almost a zero-sum situation: The more estrogen present in the body, the weaker the skin, and vice-versa. It therefore stands to reason that as estrogen is reduced in the body, collagen breakdown will lessen as well.

That's all fine and dandy, but how do you apply this information to proper nutrition? Well, it just so happens that there are several foods that have properties that act as a "fortress" against the production of estrogen. Without getting ridiculously technical about it, foods such as bok choy, various whole grains, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and various legumes contain a substance known in layman's terms as I3C. During the process of ingestion, I3C is converted into another substance with a handy acronym known as DIM (di-indollyl methane), which causes certain enzymes in the liver to effectively block estrogen production. Once the estrogen is "cut off at the source", so to speak, the body's collagen is at a much lower risk of breaking down, and the skin is strengthened as a result. So, in short, do what your mother always told you: "Eat your vegetables!"

It's no mystery that there's more to cellulite reduction than even what & how you eat. You have to implement some type of cardiovascular training to keep your muscles firm and your skin nice & toned. We will cover different types of cellulite reducing exercises in future posts. Until then...I hope this information has been informative and useful to you in your battle against that stubborn enemy known as cellulite.

Mesotherapy as a Cellulite Treatment: Good or Evil?

2008-05-08T23:10:00.001-04:00

If you have followed the trail of posts that I have created so far, you are well aware that I am officially on my cellulite treatment kick. As this blog develops and as I do more and more research, I am coming across a myriad of different cellulite reduction methods, all of which have their pros and cons. If you want to catch up on the cellulite treatments I have covered thus far, check out these two posts:

Cellulite Treatments: Is Endermologie® an Effective Solution?

Cellulite Treatments: Ionithermie

In this post we will cover mesotherapy as a cellulite treatment. So far I have only covered cellulite treatments that were non-invasive in nature (no surgery required), or treatments that adopted a more naturalistic approach--which especially in the case of ionithermie, many in the medical community still frown upon to some degree. The FDA has remained silent regarding the safety and effectiveness of mesotherapy due to the nature of the treatment and its use of injections (we will cover this in more detail a little later in the post). Claims regarding the effectiveness of mesotherapy have also not been substantiated by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, due to lack of research targeted to that end.

What is Mesotherapy?

Mesotherapy is an anti cellulite treatment in which the patient receives injections of various natural and chemical substances, including but not limited to mineral extracts, plant extracts, vitamins, pharmaceutical compounds, and homeopathic substances. The quantity of each individual substance in the mixture is very small (microscopic, actually), and together they are somewhat of a "cocktail" designed to treat cellulite at the subcutaneous (below the skin) level. These miniature "power pellets" reportedly pack a wallop of potency in reducing cellulite. Usually the exact ingredients in the injections are determined by a trained mesotherapist, and can be specific to the patient based on their "cellulite profile", or the problem areas where cellulite treatment is needed most. The mesotherapist acts as somewhat of an "alchemist", concocting the appropriate combination of substances to achieve the desired result, based on the patient's individual profile. When done correctly, mesotherapy experts claim that the procedure greatly assists in breaking down the stubborn fat cells that cause cellulite.

As I stated earlier, the reason the FDA has not issued a formal evaluation of mesotherapy is because of the nature of the treatment; it is considered "minimally invasive", meaning there are medicinal injections that take place, but it does not fall under the category of an outright surgical procedure. At the same time, because of the degree to which the procedure involves clinical injections, the FDA defers to each individual state medical board to evaluate general compliance to medical safety standards.

Who Started All This Anyway?

The late Dr. Michel Pistor, a French physician, pioneered the practice of mesotherapy back in 1952. It popularity has increased over the last few decades, and it is now practiced by nearly 20,000 physicians in the U.S. (the most recent hotbed of mesotherapy), South America, and Europe.

The Mesotherapy Procedure

The needles used in mesotherapy vary from 4 to 6 millimeters in length, depending on the skin type. A test area is usually treated first to determine if the patient will have any allergic reactions to the compounds used. The mesotherapist usually maps out the areas to be treated, and then systematically makes injections in the target areas. In the case of a treatment offered to the legs, injections are made on all sides of the thighs, covering the general area between the knees and the buttocks.

An important point to note is that mesotherapy is not limited to just treating the most common areas where cellulite rears its ugly head, i.e., the hips, thighs, & buttocks, but it is also used as an anti-aging and cosmetic improvement procedure for such areas as the arms, hands and neck. In these instances, it is primarily used to reduce the appearance of sagging skin.

Mesotherapy in the Hot-Seat

Despite its long-term popularity (over 50 years worth), mesotherapy is still somewhat the "Rodney Dangerfield" of cellulite reducing procedures--it has yet to be officially recognized as a viable cellulite treatment, and has actually produced quite a bit of controversy due to some of the chemicals that are used in the injections. While a large portion of the substances used are vitamins, plant extracts, and other naturally-based compounds, there are quite a few chemicals in the mix that many experts believe are not safe to utilize in the treatment, and are reported to be potentially harmful to the skin, producing side effects such as chemical burns, inflammation, swelling, or skin discoloration. A couple of primary "suspect substances" are phosphatidylcholin (say that 10 times real fast), which is considered a relatively unstable agent, and dimethylethanolamine (okay, say that one 20 times real fast), an organic compound that is widely used for industrial purposes.

In all fairness, every cellulite reduction procedure has its risks and potential foul-ups, and mesotherapy is no different. Most procedures are completed without a hitch, and with a minimal amount of side effects. It should be noted that throughout the history of mesotherapy being practiced (50-plus years), there have been no deaths as a result of the procedure. Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said about liposuction--but we'll delve into that in more detail in one of my future posts.

Gotta sign off for now--bedtime beckons. I hope that this post has given you more insight into the different pros and cons of mesotherapy. Stay tuned for more useful info as we explore more ways to help you get rid of cellulite!

Cellulite Treatments: Eight Methods of Cellulite Prevention (Part Two)

2008-04-28T12:48:00.010-04:00

The Best Way to Get Rid of Cellulite is Prevention

In my previous post we started a list of eight different methods you could employ to help prevent cellulite. We were only able to get to methods 1 -4 with the first post due to the sheer length of the post (I didn't want reading it to be an all-day affair), so I decided to break it up into Parts 1 & 2, although leaving it as one long post could be a great cure for insomnia.

Again, using preventative measures to reduce cellulite is definitely the most profitable way to go. The great thing about it is that there are ancillary benefits of going the preventative route; taking these steps can many times lead to weight loss and skin rejuvenation as well. So without further adieu, let's dive in...

Eight Methods of Cellulite Prevention (Part Two)

Method # 5: Use Amino Acids to Aid in the Production of Elastin & Collagen

Elastin & collagen are the "dynamic duo" of skin health. As we all know, cellulite formation is all about the type of condition your skin is in, so it would behoove us to know exactly what the building blocks are for healthy skin versus unhealthy skin. Healthy skin contains healthy levels of both collagen and elastin.

So what is collagen? Collagen is basically a fibrous protein that aids in the support of other tissues of the body (think tendons, cartilage, skin, etc.). And what is elastin? Elastin is another type of protein that is primarily responsible for providing flexibility to the skin. Elastin is what makes your skin "snap back into shape" when it is pulled or stretched.

Now why did I take you through the definitions of both of these proteins? Because they are essential to maintaining the health and strength of the dermis (the second layer of skin that houses the connective tissue). But, we still have to back up a step, because in order for collagen & elastin to be present, the building blocks for these proteins have to be present first. This is where amino acids become very important, because they are the foundational substances upon which the body's proteins are built. Including a supplementation of essential amino acids in your diet will greatly aid in the production of elastin and collagen, which can greatly assist in strengthening your skin's defenses against cellulite formation.

Method # 6: Promote Strong Blood Vessels

The breakdown of the skin's strength does not originate first with the skin itself; it comes rather from weakened blood vessels. As I briefly summarized in my post on cellulite reduction, a healthy circulatory system means that your blood is able to fully provide nutrients to all of the different vital areas of the body. Without strong blood vessels, the nutrients in the blood are inefficiently transported, causing only a small percentage of nutrients to effectively reach the body's cells. Over time, this causes the skin to weaken and not be able to withstand the ever-stubborn cellulite from forming. Stretch marks can also be a by-product of under-nourished skin due to cell malnutrition.

The best way to strengthen the blood vessels is through a combination of nutritional supplements that perform internal functions geared to that purpose (this would require a competely different post to explain in detail), as well as possibly the use of procedures such as skin brushing, or even the use of certain topical skin creams (again, these things require more detail than one post can justifiably undertake).

Method # 7: Prevent Prolonged Inflammation

Although inflammation of the skin is actually a defense mechanism built into the body to aid in the recovery of damaged skin (i.e., infection, injury, sunburn), prolonged inflammation can cause damaging effects. Prolonged inflammation will actually "sabotage" the skin by doing the very same damage to the skin that it was initially intended to prevent, including deterioration of the cell walls. To keep this from happening, it would be a good idea to apply some level of anti-inflammatory products that can be taken either internally or externally (topically) to soothe the inflamed area, and prevent potential damage from occurring later. Once again, to delve into the details of which type of anti-inflammatory product to use would be far beyond the scope of this post, but it is advisable to do thorough research on the best one to use, including dosage amounts (and duration) and potential side effects.

Method # 8: Stimulate Stronger Connective Tissue

The combination of body chemicals known as hyperpolymerized glycosaminoglycans ("GAG's" for short) are the building blocks that comprise the body's connective tissue. Glucosamine, perhaps a more familiar term to those who are nutrition & weight loss savvy, is metabolized into GAG's, which are essential to the production of connective tissue. When the connective tissue of the body is strong, it is able to act as a "fortress" against stubborn fat cells that would otherwise occupy the space that would be available if the connective tissue were to break down. Connective tissue that has been damaged or broken down creates an unhealthy dermis, which when compromised, easily clears a pathway for the fat cells to float to the surface, creating the famous dimpled appearance of cellulite.

The way to stimulate the production of these vital GAG's is to increase the level of glucosamine that is available for the body to metabolize, as well as adding an ample supply of B-complex vitamins and various trace minerals to the mix to provide the essential nutrients the body needs to faciliate GAG production. This can be done through proper supplementation, which simply amounts to a visit to your local nutritional supplement store.

Hopefully the past two posts have given you a better insight into the type of effort required to maintain a preventative posture where cellulite reduction is concerned. Use these points in your own journey to prevent cellulite, and remember--when it comes to learning new methods of cellulite reduction, more tools in your arsenal are always better than less.

Cellulite Treatments: Eight Methods of Cellulite Prevention (Part One)

2008-04-19T18:18:00.019-04:00

Before the Cellulite Treatment...Let's Talk Prevention

Although my previous two posts have focused on a particular cellulite treatment (i.e., Endermologie® and Ionithermie), the disadvantage of these procedures (and others) is the fact that it's always a method to remedy something that has already occurred. In other words, you have seen cellulite appear on your body somewhere, and now that it's here, you have to do something to hopefully reduce its appearance. This may lead you to turn to different cellulite creams and lotions or anti-cellulite treatments and procedures to basically put a "band-aid" on the situation. While you may achieve a limited measure of results by taking this route, its fundamental flaw is that every method of cellulite reduction you try will still only be an after-the-fact action, instead of taking a more proactive approach to prevent cellulite before it happens. I'm a firm believer in the old adage: "An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure." This certainly applies in the case of taking preventative measures to reduce cellulite.

With this in mind, I am offering eight methods to implement that can prevent cellulite. If nothing else, these methods should make you aware of the different factors that come into play in the development of cellulite, hopefully allowing you to "head it off at the pass", and do as much "damage control" as possible. The fight against cellulite is a rough battle, but here is some ammunition to help you in your journey.

Eight Methods of Cellulite Prevention (Part One)

Please note that this post will only cover four of the eight methods; we will cover the other four in our next post.

Method # 1: Keep Your Cells Hydrated

It's no big mystery that one of the biggest factors in maintaining healthy skin is by maintaining adequate hydration. The importance of this cannot be understated. When the cells of your body do not have an acceptable level of hydration, they become weak and unable to compete with the bullying fat cells that are attempting to "muscle their way" to the skin's surface. And when this happens, you know the outcome...cellulite rears its ugly head.

Proper hydration is vital to the overall health of your skin. Even in the case of Endermologie®, most endermologists agree that one of the most effective aspects of the overall treatment regimen is the fact that the patients are encouraged to drink large amounts of water both before and after the procedure. When your skin is hydrated, its appearance is smooth and silky, while dehydrated skin has an inconsistent look. An obvious side benefit of proper hydration as well is the fact that your body will be a lot less susceptible to sickness due to the cleansing benefit of water in flushing out unwanted toxins from the body.

Method # 2: Be Aware of Free Radical Damage

If there's one thing that can wreck your skin, it is free radical damage. This occurs constantly from such things as second-hand smoke (and obviously smoking), excessive exposure to the sun, and inadequate diet. Skin that has been damaged from free radicals is at a much greater risk for developing cellulite than skin that has not been damaged. The tissue damage that comes from free radicals plays a key factor in the reduced resiliency of the skin, making it easy for cellulite to "bully" its way into prominence.

Method # 3: Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate

In a nutshell, exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells, either by some type of slightly abrasive material being applied to the surface of the skin (think loofah brushes, pumice stones or soaps with that "gritty" stuff in them), or by more extensive methods such as gentle chemical solutions that dissolve the dead skin cells. Either method can be used to achieve the same results. Scientists have proven that the body regenerates all of its cells approximately every seven years, and exfoliation is a method that aids in that process as well. It should be noted that the rate of cell regeneration slows considerably the older we get, so exfoliation is a good way to make room for vibrant new cells.

So how does all this tie in to getting rid of cellulite? Every time you exfoliate, you send a signal to your body to create new skin cells; these new cells are much more capable of standing up against the stubborn fat cells that insist on making themselves so evident on the skin's surface.

Method # 4: Keep Your Cells Strong

Cell membranes are the "walls" of the cell that keep healthy nutrients in and pollutants out. If the membranes are damaged, it is no different than a military fortress with the walls broken down; they will be susceptible to attack. How does that attack show up? Think "cottage cheese thighs". The best way to ensure the health and strength of your cells' membranes is to feed them with the nutrients they need to get the job done; this includes antioxidants such as Vitamins A, E, and C, as well as other more potent antioxidants such as grape seed extract. This is definitely a more "internal operation" as far as preventing cellulite is concerned, but an overall balanced approach to cellulite reduction is the best way to go.

Well, that's all for right now; I will continue with the remaining four cellulite prevention methods in my upcoming post.

Cellulite Treatments: Ionithermie

2008-04-02T00:56:00.009-04:00

What is Ionithermie?

My previous post about Endermologie® inadvertently started a series of posts about different treatments and procedures that are available to aid in cellulite reduction. In this post we will cover a somewhat controversial treatment known as Ionithermie.

Ionithermie has often been mistakenly spelled "Lonithermie", due to fact that the capital "I" at the beginning of the word can be mistaken for a lower-case "L". Regardless of the spelling, Ionithermie has been touted as a remarkably effective way to reduce the appearance of cellulite, improve muscle tone, and increase the elasticity of the skin. Invented over a quarter of a century ago by a French biochemist, the treatment is heralded as an excellent way to detoxify the body and increase metabolic activity. Whether these claims can hold up to the scrutiny of such watchdog organizations as the FDA remains to be seen; nothing conclusive has been published as of yet.

The Ionithermie Detox Treatment

Ionithermie is categorized as a "cosmeceutical" treatment, although the FDA does not formally recognize such a category. Proponents of Ionithermie claim that the strength of the treatment lies in the detoxification methods that are used in the procedure. Treatments are performed by certified Ionithermie therapists (who would've guessed). A small hand-held machine known as an ionic massager is used which transmits low-level amounts of Galvanic and Faradic electrical currents (a whole other article) to the skin through a conductive aromatic clay that is applied to the skin. This thermal clay (as it is also known) is made up of varying all-natural compounds, which can include organic freeze-dried vegetable extracts, ribonucleic acid, micronized algae, guarana, seaweed, and others. The electrical stimulus passes through the thermal clay, causing the skin to absorb the nutrients that are in the clay. The Galvanic current provides positive and negative ions that assist in "pushing" the nutrients from the organic clay into the treated area of the skin, while the Faradic current is used to stimulate the muscles and tissue in the affected area as well.

The different ingredients in the organic clay compound basically "seep" into the skin by way of the gentle Galvanic and Faradic electric currents in a process known as "electrophoresis", and immediately they begin to detoxify the treated area, stimulating blood and lymph circulation. My previous post about setting the stage for cellulite reduction through maintaining a healthy circulatory system bears repeating once again, as even in Ionithermie the treatment is designed to encourage better lymphatic drainage and more efficient blood circulation. As the various all-natural substances enter into the layers of skin below the epidermis, the fatty tissue is broken up in a process known as lipolysis. This is believed to be a key factor in reducing cellulite, and increasing the smooth appearance of the areas of the skin that are most affected by cellulite. The main areas of treatment are the hips, thighs, buttocks, knees, arms, and bust.

Benefits of Ionithermie

It is important to note that the primary benefit promoted by Ionithermie enthusiasts is that of detoxification. The organic materials that comprise the thermal clay are lauded for their ability to remove toxins in the human system, as well as replenish much-needed minerals into the system.

Another benefit is loss of inches. Clinical studies have shown results of up to 8 inches of loss per treatment, although the average documented loss is around 4.5 inches. While these results have been clinically proven, the FDA has not yet endorsed or approved the practice of Ionithermie.

Many people also report an improvement in the smoothness and consistency of their skin after repeated Ionithermie treatments. Others report a feeling of relaxation as well.

The average Ionithermie treatment session lasts about 30 minutes, and it is usually recommended that a person receive a repeated series of treatments if they have more advanced stages of cellulite formation. The primary place to get the treatment performed is at any spa that offers the more sophisticated types of cosmeceutical treatments. The average price for a session is between $130 to $170 dollars, usually with a per-treatment discount if you buy multiple blocks of sessions at one time.

Potential Side Effects of Ionithermie

There are only a few minor side effects associated with receiving Ionithermie treatments, and they include redness or sensitivity of the areas of skin that were treated. Since everyone's skin is different, and some people's skin is more sensitive than others, the same exact treatment may affect two different people (and varying skin types) two totally different ways.

My hope is that this post has given you a good introduction into Ionithermie, another popular method of cellulite reduction. Stay tuned for more posts about various cellulite treatments in the coming weeks.

Cellulite Treatments: Is Endermologie an Effective Solution?

2008-03-28T23:18:00.012-04:00

Is Endermologie® a Viable Cellulite Treatment?

The world of cellulite treatments can a convoluted maze to the newcomer. It seems as if everyone has some type of product or procedure to promote that will help you get rid of cellulite. How can you separate the fake from the authentic? How do you even know if any of these treatments or procedures are going to work? It takes a good history of documented testing for a cellulite treatment to pass muster, especially in the eyes of the FDA and other watchdog-type organizations. Lotions, potions, and solutions-in-a-bottle date back to the days of the snake oil salesmen, so it's important to have some type of measurement of effectiveness before a cellulite treatment can make valid claims.

Enter Endermologie®. Sorry for the gigantic "®" after each mention of the word "Endermologie®", but it's necessary to keep myself out of legal trouble. An alternate spelling is "endermology", but we'll stick to the one with the "®" behind it, if for nothing else than the fact that it looks more official (LOL). Endermologie® is basically a machine-assisted procedure conducted by a certified endermologist (what a coincidence) that provides a type of skin therapy to help aid in reducing the appearance of cellulite. The technique was developed by French plastic surgeons in the 1980's, and was initially used to treat scar tissue. This burgeoning scar treatment proved to be successful, and later expanded to be used for more cosmetic purposes, i.e., cellulite reduction.

How is Endermologie® Used to Treat Cellulite?

Endermologie® is administered with the help of an Endermologie® machine. The treatment is entirely non-invasive (no surgery required), but rather uses motorized rollers on the surface of the skin. The rollers literally fold and unfold the skin at regular intervals and provide an effect that's similar to a deep tissue massage. While the machine is operating, a display screen provides real-time data on different aspects of the procedure, such as thickness of the tissue & improvements or changes in the condition of the tissue. This aids in helping the endermologist determine the effectiveness of the procedure.

This treatment is performed primarily as a means to create a smoother look in the areas of the skin that are affected by cellulite. There are minimal side effects to the procedure, the main ones being possible soreness and/or bruises in the treated areas. Again, since the effects of the treatment have often been compared to that of a deep tissue massage, anyone that has ever experienced a deep tissue massage can tell you that it can be a temporary discomfort with a hope for a longer-term benefit.

But even the longer-term benefit doesn't last forever. After extensive study, the FDA has approved the claim that Endermologie® can produce only a temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite. Endermologie® treatments must occur on a regular basis for sustained results to be seen. Anywhere from 14 to 28 total treatments are needed for optimal results, with the treatments occurring on a weekly basis, or even twice a week. Each treatment session lasts approximately 30 minutes (give or take). Some treatments employ isometric exercises as well, with the patient performing different movements to isolate certain muscle groups for greater stimulation of the fat cells.

Benefits of Endermologie®

As stated in my post about cellulite reduction, one of the main contributing factors to cellulite development is poor lymphatic drainage. The benefits of the Endermologie® procedure is the effect it has on "shaking up" those sedentary fat cells. Through the machine-assisted process of folding and unfolding the skin by way of a gentle suction motion, the fat cells are stimulated, loosening up the congestion of lymphatic fluid and in effect helping to "flush" the system of toxins and waste. Most patients report feeling invigorated and relaxed once the treatment is finished. It normally takes about 6 treatments to see any noticeable difference in the skin's appearance, and gradual improvements will be seen if a consistent treatment schedule is maintained. Endermologists also highly recommend drinking plenteous amounts of water to the tune of eight 8-ounce glasses of water both before and after each treatment session.

It is commonly reported that the results of Endomologie® are more marked in people who already maintain a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and regular exercise. This is not to say that people who live a more sedentary lifestyle cannot benefit from Endermologie®, but it is always better to have more cards stacked in your favor through maintaining a health-conscious lifestyle.

Cost of Endermologie®

Of course, one of the most obvious questions about using Endermologie® as a cellulite treatment is "How much is this going to cost?" The average going rate for a treatment session is between $50-70 dollars. To achieve the optimum level of effectiveness, it will take between $1,200-2,000 worth of treatment sessions (about 15-20 sessions total). Once you have hit the "plateau" (optimal effectiveness level), monthly maintenance procedures (1 session per month) are recommended to maintain the level of cellulite reduction that you have achieved.

Hopefully this post has given you a good "primer" on one of the most prominent cellulite treatments, Endermologie®. Use this information as a guideline to form your own opinions about the next step you need to take. Cheers for now...

Cellulite Reduction

2008-03-26T18:32:00.000-04:00

Methods of Cellulite Reduction

A perennial "hot topic" in the world of diet, health & exercise is cellulite reduction. A plethora of information exists explaining seemingly every conceivable way to reduce cellulite, and anyone attempting to find answers to this problem can feel overwhelmed by all of the options that are available to them.

The search for solutions to the "cellulite dilemma" can often be frustrating, many times leaving you with more questions than answers. This post will hopefully bring some clarity and simplicity to the vast subject of cellulite reduction, and focus on the essentials that will help you make more informed decisions about what to do to help diminish cellulite.

Let me start off by saying that one blog post cannot possibly contain the entire myriad of ways to diminish cellulite, but I'll give it an honest try--either until I cover the most common cellulite reduction methods, or until I just get tired of typing. :) That being said, let's move into some specifics.

The Importance of Lymphatic Drainage in Cellulite Reduction

Without getting ultra-technical about it, suffice it to say that lymphatic drainage is simply the body's way of ridding itself of toxins and waste as the circulatory system does its job of carrying nutrients to all parts of the body. Lymph actually comes from tissue fluid, which originates as blood plasma. As tissue fluid distributes nutrients to all cells of the body, lymph basically acts as the "garbage man", taking waste out of the cells by way of lymphatic capillaries and, deeper within the human system, lymphatic vessels.

The point to all of this is that if there's any malfunction in this system, you will have toxins and waste remaining in the cells of the body, which many believe can be a contributing factor to the development of cellulite. The reason for this is that poor lymphatic drainage causes excess fluid build-up, putting pressure on the body's fat cells and not providing enough space between them. This compression of fat cells causes damage to the nearby connective tissue, which can contribute to the formation of cellulite.

In light of this, if we back up a couple of steps, we can see that a healthy circulatory system plays a major part in eliminating toxins and waste from the human system. It stands to reason, then, that the health (or non-health) of a person's circulatory system can somewhat indirectly be a factor in the development of cellulite. Think about it: Poor circulation leads to poor lymphatic drainage, which leads to a risk of fat cell compression, which is a typical environment for cellulite development.

If we follow this line of thought, it seems obvious that exercise would then be a key factor in contributing to cellulite reduction. The main reason is that it is widely known that exercise increases effective blood flow throughout the body, and it is a primary factor in maintaining a healthy circulatory system. We will discuss the particulars of which type of exercises are most effective in future posts.

Building Lean Muscle: A Key to Cellulite Reduction

Since exercise is pretty much a "given" as far as being a good way to curb the appearance of cellulite, the next question is usually "What type of exercises should I do?" It is advisable to focus on exercises that will build lean muscle mass. Lean muscle provides a more solid support system for the skin, essentially reducing the inconsistent dimpled look of cellulite. In addition, a by-product of building lean muscle through exercise is also an increased metabolism, which will cause less fat storage...the benefits of this are pretty self-explanatory.

One thing to remember: No one treatment, product, or activity can fully guarantee the removal of cellulite. A multi-faceted approach to cellulite reduction is the most balanced way to go about dealing with it. All of the different cellulite reduction methods that are available mainly serve as a means to improve the appearance of cellulite in those problem areas. Don't get me wrong, however; exercise can only help you in the long run, cellulite or not.

My hope is that with this post you will now have a greater understanding of some of the "why's" behind cellulite formation, and that you will now be better armed to embark on your own journey towards cellulite reduction. Until we meet again...

Welcome to Getting Rid of Cellulite!

2008-03-25T20:19:00.006-04:00

Tips and Information to Help You Get Rid of Cellulite

Welcome to Getting Rid of Cellulite! This site was created as an information portal for all things pertaining to cellulite, including treatments and exercises to aid in reducing the appearance of cellulite, as well as different types of therapy for cellulite reduction and removal...hey, the list goes on & on. The primary purpose of the site is to provide as much "ammunition" as possible to help anyone who's interested in achieving a better look in those problem areas where the dreaded "C" can appear.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite is basically pockets of fat separated by the connective tissue that resides under the surface of the skin, causing the skin to look dimpled or pitted in appearance. The primary places that cellulite is seen in the body is around the hips, thighs, and buttocks. Some of the (somewhat crude) informal terms for cellulite include the following:

Orange peel skin
Cottage cheese thighs
The mattress effect
Hail damage
Dimple skin

What Causes Cellulite?

Cellulite is still somewhat of an enigma, even in scientific circles. Several factors are considered to be contributors to the creation of cellulite, including metabolism, hereditary conditions, and the presence of various hormones that can foster the production of cellulite. Some of these hormones include the following:

Estrogen
Prolactin
Adrenaline (believe it or not)
Various thyroid hormones

Many scientists and nutritionists believe that diet has a lot to do with the development of cellulite. While the jury is still out on this point, it is a known factor that part of the cause of cellulite is the presence of waste and toxins below the epidural layer of the skin, which can sometimes be caused by improper diet. These wastes and toxins can get trapped within the connective tissue beneath the surface of the skin, and when this happens, the tissue can harden, contributing to the dimpled look of cellulite.

Cellulite is traditionally a concern for women more than men, although men can also get cellulite. It is a common assertion that basically all females display some form of cellulite after they reach puberty. As a matter of fact, women comprise over 95% of all cellulite cases. This is mainly due to the fact that the physiological make-up of women is just different than men, especially in the area of body fat percentage; it's normally higher in women than in men. The primary hormone that is believed to be a major contributor to the development of cellulite is estrogen. Other hormones play a part as well (see the previous list of hormones).

An often overlooked contributor to the problem is simply the process of aging. As we get older, the body slows its production of collagen, which is what our connective tissue is made of. Once this happens, the subcutaneous (or, beneath-the-skin) fat cells begin to put more of a "squeeze" on the connective tissue, creating an even more pronounced appearance of the dreaded "dimpled look". Although the science behind this is fascinating, the results in the human body can simply be aggravating.

The "Quick Pinch" Test

The fastest way to tell if you have cellulite is to simply pinch the skin in your upper thigh area. If it looks dimpled or pitted, chances are you have cellulite. But don't depair, however...there are several tips and techniques you can utilize to reduce the appearance of cellulite; this is what we will focus on with this blog. One word of caution: Avoid the "quick fix" mentality that would tempt you to do something drastic, like crash dieting, to achieve speedy results. These types of hasty actions are hardly ever productive, and most of the time they do more damage than good.

Cellulite Treatments

There are basically two primary "schools" of treatment for cellulite: medical treatments and spa treatments. Medical treatments are just as the name implies; they are facilitated by a doctor while spa treatments are less technically complex and can be performed by a more general health care professional. Some examples of medical treatments are liposuction and mesotherapy, while endermologie is a popular spa treatment. We will be explaining these procedures in greater detail in future posts.

In summary, I hope you have a better feel for what to look forward to with Getting Rid of Cellulite. Remember to bookmark this page as we will be adding new content on a regular basis. Until we meet again...have a great one!