Cellulite is a definite problem as we age. The good news is that there are some great, natural ways of fighting and decreasing cellulite!
Being a trainer, one of my top complaints, particularly from women, is getting rid of that tough cellulite. Even those women who are in great physical shape from regular exercise, strength training, and good dietary habits often times can have a difficult time getting rid of those cellulite trouble spots. Cellulite is the deposits of lumpy looking fat on the surface of the skin, preventing a smooth, lean, and sculpted look. These fat deposits put pressure on the connective tissues of the surrounding area and this pressure causes the skin to be pulled downward, giving the skin a sagging and bumpy appearance. Cellulite is most common in the areas where we tend to store greater amounts of fat, such as the upper legs and stomach.
Due to hormones, women are more prone to getting cellulite than are men. Hormone fluctuations and changes in estrogen can weaken the connective tissues around the fat cells, which weakens the structure and support of the cells and tissues, which leads to decreased circulation to that area. When there is less circulation to an area, the result will be less collagen production, less fat oxidation, more fat accumulation, and weak connective tissues. When all this happens, we have cellulite accumulation. Cellulite tends to worsen with age as the structures become even weaker than they were in youth.
The good news is that there are some great, natural ways of helping fight and decrease cellulite. Some top strategies for this include:
Strength Train
Many women rely most heavily on cardio-based exercise to lose weight. However, when it comes to burning fat mass and cellulite, it’s not necessarily the most ideal method. Weight training helps strengthen structures and keep them strong and supportive, giving you a tighter, lean, and toned appearance. Additionally, exercising helps increase circulation to those areas of fat deposits, burning more fat. When circulation is poor, the collagen hardens and the fat deposits worsen. When training for strength, it’s ideal to lift heavy, strengthening the muscles and hardening the area.
Improve Circulation
Methods beyond exercise can help to improve circulation. Practices such as yoga, deep breathing, meditation, rebounding, and other such activities can naturally and healthfully boost circulation to those areas of the body with unwanted fat deposits. Additionally, certain things can be taken internally to help boost circulation; cayenne pepper, horse chestnut extract, chili pepper, gingko biloba, and freshly ground black pepper all can help boost circulation.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is key to having optimal circulation. Furthermore, when we’re dehydrated, the body is not as capable of flushing out fats and toxins for removal from the body. When it comes to reducing cellulite, it’s also important not to have fluid retention happening. Natural methods of eliminating fluid retention include dandelion root extract, hawthorn, watermelon, pineapple, and celery.
Be Toxin Free
Eliminating toxins from your food, water, and air is important to decreasing cellulite. The areas of stored fat are the safest, least damaging place for the body to store harmful toxins. When your body is toxic and these toxins are being stored in the stored fat cells, the body is going to be less likely to efficiently burn this fat, because it’s trying to protect itself from the negative effects of these toxins in circulation. So, a great way to help aid the body in letting go of stored fat is to cleanse the system with wholesome, natural, clean, fresh foods.
Decrease Sugar Intake
High sugar foods or high sugar diets lead to fat accumulation, even if these sugars are clean sugars. Too much sugar will cause more fat cell storage and fuels cellulite formation. So, to combat cellulite, keep sugar intake from all sources low.
Increase Healthy Fats Intake
While we want to keep sugar intake low, we want to actually keep our healthy fat intake high, particularly of the omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats help to balance out hormones, reduce inflammation, combat free radical damage, and stimulate collagen formation and help maintain collagen strength and elasticity. All of these factors combine to help prevent or eliminate cellulite.
Enhance Collagen Production
Strong, healthy collagen is a key factor to preventing or treating cellulite. Natural vitamin C, gotu kola, quality gelatin, and naturally occurring sources of quality protein helps increase collagen production.
What it all boils down to is maintaining a healthy lifestyle with natural foods (vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and quality protein) and healthy levels of exercise, particularly strength training. When this is done, cellulite will inherently be decreased!
Cool off from your strength training with a tropical smoothie!
