Cellulite – the bane of many a woman’s life. Most of us will experience that orange-peel effect at some point in our lives; but what exactly is cellulite, and what can we do about it?
What is cellulite?
You may have heard tales of trapped toxins and poor circulation being responsible for your dimply thighs; but cellulite is actually just fat. It just looks a bit different because of the way in which it is arranged underneath the skin.
We all have strands of connective tissue that work to separate fat cells into compartments and connect the fat to the skin. Men have fibres that run horizontally, forming a criss-cross pattern which prevents dimpling. Women have fibres that form a honeycomb-shaped pattern, leading to excess fat bulging out like the stuffing in a mattress.
How can we banish or minimise cellulite?
There’s no easy way to get rid of cellulite, and certainly no overnight fix. Getting rid of your cellulite involves a combination of factors over an extended period of time. However, if you stick with it, you WILL see results!
- Exercise more: If you have a sedentary desk job where you spend most of your time sitting then you’re more likely to suffer from cellulite as the blood flow to the thighs and bottom is restricted. Go for a walk on your lunch break, join the gym near your office, or do some yoga when you get home. Anything that gets you moving and gets your blood flowing will help to minimise the appearance of cellulite.
- You are what you eat: Eating a healthy diet full of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins will help to flush out toxins and ensure that you’re getting a wide variety of nutrients and minerals that your body needs to get rid of cellulite and keep your skin looking great. Drink plenty of water and green tea too to stay well hydrated. Try to eliminate foods high in saturated fat from your diet, such as cakes, fast food, and fried foods as these make cellulite worse.
- Dry body brush daily: Invest in a natural bristled skin brush and use it every day before you shower. Starting from your ankles and working upwards, brush your entire body using firm circular strokes. Always work in the direction of the heart as this is where the lymph, the fluid that transports substances around the body, needs to flow to.
- Make a coffee scrub: Drinking too much caffeine isn’t great for cellulite, but you can make your used coffee grounds work for you in other ways. Save your used grounds at the weekend and use them as a weekly scrub. After dry body brushing, get into the shower and apply the grounds to your problem areas, massaging them in gently for a few minutes before rinsing off.