How Do I Get Rid of Cellulite?

Cellulite is a condition in which the skin develops a bumpy texture much like that of cottage cheese or the skin of an orange.

Statistically, 90% of all women will develop cellulite at some point in their lifetime. That's the bad news.  The good news is that we can greatly reduce the appearance of cellulite through targeted exercise.

Cellulite is caused by fat cells that collect between the connective tissue, known as Septa, that holds your skin to your muscle. You will likely see cellulite begin to rear its bumpy head during times of hormonal fluctuations, like pregnancy or menopause, because our hormones control regulation of their blood flow, fat, connective tissue and lymphatic drainage. Men rarely get cellulite because their Septa are arranged in more of a cross-hatched pattern instead of the thready arrangement that we women have.

Cellulite is NOT caused by being overweight, although extra weight can obviously exacerbate the appearance of it. Instead, genetics will primarily determine how many fat cells you have and where you will tend to store them. As a rule, women tend to carry most fat cells in the stomach, thighs and buttocks.

Not only is cellulite unattractive, it also has some negative health effects including damage to the connective tissue and impaired blood flow.

In a word, No. But we can diminish the appearance of cellulite through targeted exercise.

Now that we have established that and, hopefully, have accepted it, let's talk about what we can do about improving its appearance.

Oh. You're still in horrified denial?

What about liposuction, you want to know? While it is true that liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes fat cells, it does not remove the fat cells from the area that causes cellulite. In fact, because Liposuction reduces mass below the skin, it tends to leave the skin baggy, thereby worsening the appearance of the cellulite. No legitimate plastic surgeon will offer liposuction as a remedy for cellulite.

What about body wraps and massages at the spa? Massage procedures work to temporarily diminish the appearance of the cellulite by loosening the Septa so that it doesn't pull down against the fat, causing the dimpled appearance. Once the Septa re-tightens, the appearance of the cellulite worsens. Similarly, body wraps cause the fat to compress, thereby releasing the strain on the Septa. As the fat decompresses, the appearance again worsens.

And the same goes for Cellulite Reducing Creams and Lotions. They also attempt to either thicken the outer layers of skin or shrink the fat. Most studies show that there is little, if any, actual benefit from the use of these.

So, what does work?

It is possible to diminish the appearance of cellulite with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

You will get the absolute best results from exercise by adopting a routine that includes daily cardiovascular exercise along with three strength training exercises each week. Follow a routine that focuses on the areas that women tend to have cellulite--usually the thighs, stomach, and rear.