Secrets to Fighting Cellulite

Cellulite, we all know what it looks like, but we still have many misconceptions about it. The first thing you should know is that, in the true medical sense, cellulite is simply plain old fat. Yet it does have one defining characteristic—a dimpled, cottage-cheese, orange-peel look. Do you want to know why? Everybody has connective tissue that separates fat cells into compartments. While men usually have horizontal or crisscross compartment patterns, women’s compartments have a honeycomb appearance, giving fat a bigger chance to protrude or bulge, hence the cottage-cheese effect. So, women are more likely to develop cellulite than men, mainly around the hips and thighs. Lucky us! However, men can develop the condition, too, but not as noticeably as women. Although cellulite becomes more noticeable with age, largely because the skin gets thinner over time, it generally strikes people in their 30s. Of course, not everybody will develop cellulite in their lifetime. That’s because genetics determines where your fat cells are and how many fat cells you have. Activity level is a crucial factor associated with cellulite. If you exercise regularly, you’ll decrease your odds of developing cellulite, or if you do, the dimpled look won’t be quite as pronounced. But beware of the "Quick Fix". Unfortunately, too many people still hang on to the idea of quick and easy fixes. Beware of cellulite cream makers, medical procedures like liposuction or cosmetic treatments like body wraps. Simply put, they do not work! No cream applied to the skin can penetrate the skin and rearrange the fat cells beneath the surface. Liposuction is designed to remove excess deposits of fat, but it won’t change the appearance of fat. As for body wraps, the effect is only temporary. Fat is compressible, so when you do the wrap, it will smooth your skin, but by the next day, your skin will be back to normal. Another misconception is that dieting alone can zap fat. Although there are diets that make you lose weight, at least one quarter of the weight lost is muscle, which lowers your metabolism. If you return to your usual eating habits, you’ll likely regain more weight than you lost because your metabolism is slower. So what can you do to diminish the appearance of cellulite? Experts recommend daily cardio exercise combined with two to three strength-training sessions a week and a healthy diet. An exercise program doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. For strength-training exercises, any tool is fine, including dumbbells, elastic bands, body weight and machines. Still not sure where to start? A certified personal trainer can help get you started on the right track. And while results won’t happen overnight, a consistent program of regular exercise combined with a sensible diet can go a long way toward not only improving your appearance, but your overall health as well.

You know, I have always struggled with the way the back of my thighs and behind look due to cellulite. I have tried many of the "quick fixes" in the hopes of making that lovely cottage cheese look go away....but to no avail. But the older I get, the wiser I become. I have stopped being so hard on myself and I have taken comfort instead in how strong my body is due to the way I treat it; plenty of good nutrition, exercise, and lots of water. I can tell you that all of that hard work and dedication does pay off because the dimples have decreased in appearance. My "little friends" have become just that....little.

"If you are content with the best you have done, you will never do the best you can do."