Now, that got your attention, the attention of every woman! It’s the number 1 thing most woman dislike about themselves and the thing that the majority of woman want to change on their bodies!!
Having been a personal trainer for the last 17 years or so, it has been the most enquired about subject, and the one that 99% of woman comes to me with. That orange peel, cottage cheese, ‘hail damage’ on the back of their legs, the butt and thighs.
“I want to get rid if this!!!!” they say.
I have seen and heard COUNTLESS cellulite ridding claims, and theories, cellulite melting creams and potions and lotions, cellulite beating brushes, expensive beauty treatments…. and the list goes on. Where does it really end, and how do we finally beat it!
If we look briefly at what cellulite is, it can be described, as a condition in which the skin appears to have areas with underlying fat deposits, giving it a dimpled, lumpy appearance. It is most noticeable on the buttocks and thighs, and usually occurs after puberty.
An interesting point is that the appearance of cellulite is most common on woman in Western society, and is not often seen on woman of Asian and European descent to name a couple. They could indicate diet and lifestyle differences, differences that have a huge contribution to the effects of all this on our bodies, and how our bodies store fat and metabolize energy.
The cause is really still unknown, but we can identify several theories, which seem to aid the deposit of cellulite, especially in the areas of the butt, thighs and legs.
Diet and nutrition, including too much sugar and processed foods,
Insufficient water consumed,
Ineffective exercise programs.
Maintaining a clean diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, limited fruit, and clean protein sources, as well as adequate good fats
Alcohol consumption
Diet high in acid forming foods
Smoking
Hormonal imbalances
Genetics
Lack of any exercise
Poor blood flow in certain areas.
All of these seem to play a part in the ‘hail damage” that appears on the legs and butt.
I have found in my experience that the best ways to prevent the appearance of cellulite, and to begin to rid it from those problem areas, start with these simple strategies…
- Drink at least 2 litres of water/day.
- Eat plenty of fibrous and fresh vegetables, including from the cruciferous family and green leafy vegetables.
- Fresh fish, and organic chicken and lean meat
- Avoid processed foods and foods of white flour origin.
- Good fats ( nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil)
- Limit alcohol intake
- No smoking
- Combine weight training with cardio, and perform supersets for the problem areas.
- Train with weights 3-4 / week, with some high intensity cardio days, and some lower intensity days also.
- Take some time to chill out. Meditate, just breathe
It’s also a great idea to see a naturopath, one who specializes in hormones to be sure that your body is functioning at optimal levels. and can give you the right supplements for you.
So it’s a subject that still remains open, will still be open for discussion, will always be the beast for most woman, but by following the guidelines above, you can definitely eliminate or reduce the appearance of that stubborn orange peel look that has plagued us girls for years.
Happy days!