Cellulite describes pockets of fat under the skin which cause dimpling in the skin. The buttocks, thighs and even abdomen are the most common regions women develop cellulite. An estimated 90% of women have cellulite. It’s no surprise then products to combat it are a dime a dozen. Creams, laser treatment, injections and even liposuction have all laid claim to combat cellulite. One thing that always gets overlooked is exercise and diet.
To help combat cellulite it is wise to first understand what cellulite actually is. Cellulite is actually made up of little pockets of fat deposited just under the skin. Every person has fat layers under the skin. When cellulite develops collagen fibres that connect the fat to the skin will begin to stretch causing little fat cells to pop out. This creates the dimpled skin or “cottage cheese” looks.
Cellulite is actually more of a genetic characteristic and some females are more likely to develop it than others. This is why skinny women can have it to.
Although the exact cause of cellulite is still not medically clear there are a number of causes that are believed to contribute cellulite. These include:
-Hormonal factors – The female hormone estrogen is believed to be the biggest culprit. Estrogen plays a large part in determining the number and location of fat cells in the body, and encourages fat cells to develop around the breast, thighs and buttocks.
-Genetics – certain genes acquired from parents may influence particular characteristics associated with cellulite such as distribution of fat just under the skin and poor blood circulation in those areas
-Diet – by consuming a diet high in fats you are adding fuel to the fire. Seeing cellulite is associated with fat stores the more fats you have in your diet the more likelihood that you will develop cellulite. Although thin ladies are not immune, an overweight body is more prone to cellulite and can worsen the appearance of the condition.
-Lifestyle – cellulite may be more common in smokers, those who do not exercise and those who have an inactive lifestyle in general as these can lead to poor blood circulation.
-Pregnancy – during this period the woman’s body usually experiences drastic changes. There is a significant amount of fluid retention in the body during pregnancy as well as hormonal changes that may spark cellulite.
-Poor blood circulation – When there is impaired blood flow to the fat storage area, collagen fibres are damaged due to poor lack of oxygen and accumulation of toxic wastes. Because oxygen is needed to burn fat for energy, fat in these poor oxygen flow areas is the last to be used. This is also why cellulite is so hard to get rid of.
-Poor lymph drainage – The lymphatic system acts like a filter to clean impurities from the lymphatic fluid. If it is impaired, impurities accumulate and inflate these fat cells, causing cellulite. It is important to drink plenty of water to help flush out impurities and toxins.
-Aging – As you get older your metabolism and body’s energy needs lower increasing fat accumulation. As you age your skin starts losing its elasticity and gets thinner which increases the appearance of cellulite.
If you don’t have cellulite and want to significantly reduce the chances of it appearing in the future the best way to do this is be proactive. And if you do have cellulite, don’t wait for it to get worse before you act. Not only will exercise and dieting help eliminate or significantly reduce cellulite but think about the other health and well being benefits that comes with exercising and eating healthy. It’s a win-win situation, you get a firm figure and you feel great. Which lady wouldn’t want that? To get started today on a step-by-step female toning weight training and diet program, make sure you check out the FREE I Want Abs program.
Understanding and Fighting Cellulite
