Many people aim to take a trip to the beach in the summer. Many people go to the beach wearing as little as possible, just to show off their shapely bodies. But this isn’t the case for most people. Some are too embarrassed to even wear shorts because of the lumpy, uneven skin on their thighs.
Sounds familiar? This is cellulite, and no, this has less to do with fat cells than with the connective tissues beneath the skin. Due to poor blood circulation, these connective tissues become weak and disfigured. The result is uneven skin on the butt, hips and thighs.
Sad to say, cellulite comes with age, pregnancy, and genetics. But it all boils down to poor blood circulation. When you mature, tissue structures also mature and weaken. Many women will start to notice weaken skin by their mid twenties.
Couch potatoes beware! Cellulite creams can only do so much for cellulite. Remember that an active lifestyle can be a cure or prevention for any disease. You can start with walking for 15-20 minutes a day, then increase the duration or intensity of the exercise by the day. You can choose other common cardiovascular exercises as well, like jogging and swimming. Many women have success with sprinting as it provides a good cardio workout.
If you prefer indoor activities and want to be alone, you can try Yoga. There are certain routines and poses in Yoga that help the heart pump, increasing activity in sweat glands and dilation of capillaries, promoting blood circulation.
While cardiovascular exercises burn fat, muscle and strength building exercises metabolize fat and build muscle tissues in their place. It’s a good idea to build muscle in your cellulite trouble spots. This is because toned muscles provide a smooth place for fat cells to rest upon.
It’s important to make exercise a regular part of your life. Otherwise you won’t see results! Some people go to the gym for a month or two, then just stop attending. This is obviously a one-way ticket to even more cellulite. You don’t have to go to the gym to work out — anyone can do lunges and standing leg curls at home or work. Simply flexing your muscles while doing nothing is enough to build a little muscle every day.
Fruits and veggies are an important part of getting rid of cellulite. Things like asparagus, avocado, bananas, citrus fruits, pears and watermelon are great for your skin. It is important to get enough fiber in you diet as it helps with digestion and toxin removal. Good sources of essential fatty acids and anti-cellulite proteins and minerals include the following: salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, herring, mackerel and bass. As much as possible, avoid salty and oily foods.
Stay active and eat healthy, and you’ll see some positive changes in your cellulite trouble spots soon. Find out more about cellulite exercises and how they can help you get smoother skin!
