Losing Cellulite

Cellulite is simply the term used to describe the visible effect on the epidermis of excess fat deposits being stored just below its surface.

Cellulite is unsightly, embarrassing and it is far more prevalent in women than in men. It varies in intensity from mild to extreme. 

Everybody knows what cellulite looks like because it's so easily recognizable. It resembles the skin of an orange or worse, cottage cheese. It has a unique pattern and it generally appears on one of 3 parts of the body - the hips, the buttocks or the abdomen.

Causes of cellulite

Cellulite doesn't generally become an issue until the years preceding puberty. That's when a young girl's hormone levels surge and those hormones begin sending messages to various parts of the body signaling the need to begin changing. One of these changes involves the formation of a layer of fat within the innermost layer of skin called the subcutaneous fat layer.

During the manufacture of this fat layer, a patterned structure within this layer is created, the purpose of which is to contain stored fat. It is this pattern, or framework for fat storage, shaped somewhat like the letter 'X' that creates the dimpling effect when too much fat is stored and the fat deposits begin to bulge. The pattern that's created in a man's body is different. It's shaped more like column so even when there's excess fat being stored it's usually not visible in the same manner.

Normal levels of fat stored in this innermost layer of the subcutaneous won't create the external dimpling because there's enough space for all the fat deposits. So really, every woman has the tendency to develop some degree of cellulite when fat begins to accumulate. 

How To Get Rid of Cellulite

Cellulite is controllable but getting rid of it can only happen if there's a willingness to implement dietary and lifestyle changes.

Clothing can cover the appearance of cellulite, but no one wants to cover up all the time. You could spend hundreds of dollars trying hundreds of cellulite treatment products and not get anywhere close to the same results you'll get by treating cellulite naturally. Not with some herb or balm, but with diet and exercise.

The only way cellulite will be less noticeable is by shrinking the size of the fat cells stored in the subcutaneous layer so they no longer bulge.

This has recently been a treatment that works on the premise of massage therapy that is done in a doctors office. Massage may help reduce cellulite because the motions help break down the stored fat deposits. Massage therapy involves using equipment that goes over the cellulite area helping reduce the appearance of cellulite. For most people it does reduce the appearance, however the treatment is temporary and must be done every month. It is expensive, requires several hours of time and won't work on those that are obese.  

For the most part, cellulite treatment creams, lotions, wraps, pills and other procedures don't work, although there have been exciting advances made in topical applications and they are making strides every day. 

Your best fight against cellulite is to simply eat a sensible diet that's heavy on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low in sodium and saturated fat.

Combine moderate, regular exercise with the nutritious diet and do exercises that focus on the areas where cellulite appears like walking or biking. In a few months (or longer, depending on the severity of the cellulite) this embarrassing skin problem should be well under control.