How To Get Rid Of Cellulite 

Despite the many products and procedures advertised for reducing and eliminating cellulite, that horrible looking dimpled skin that shows up on the thighs, backsides, stomach or upper arms of 8 out of 10 women, and the sad truth is there is no "quick fix" to maintaining that youthful, smooth-textured skin.

While there are a number of treatments that attempt to tackle the appearance of cellulite, the results vary and they're not permanent. But there are things, like lifestyle changes, that will make it less obvious and will reduce the appearance & development of cellulite by:

• Eating Nutritious Foods
• Staying Well Hydrated
• Detoxifying The Body
• Exercise
• Stress Reduction
• Getting 7-8 Hours Of Quality Sleep

What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite consists of fat cells surrounded by septa, which is connective tissue that keeps the fat cells in place. This layer of fat insulates, cushions and gives structural support to your skin. It also regulates your body's temperature and serves to store fat to use as calories. Cellulite forms when the septa tighten down on the fat cells or when the fat cells push up against  it.  Cellulite is purely a cosmetic issue that affects 90% of post-pubescent women.

Cellulite In Men & Women

Cellulite is so common in women that many dermatologists consider it a secondary sex characteristic meaning, almost every woman has it, whether they are skinny or obese. After puberty, the female hormone estrogen triggers the woman's body to store extra fat for pregnancy. Typically, that added fat appears in the buttocks, thighs, hips and lower abdomen (natural areas that store fat). But it can also show up under the arms, in the breasts and even in the nape of the neck.

Cellulite is more frequently found in women because of the hormone estrogen. Men, having much lower levels of estrogen, generally have a much thinner layer of subcutaneous fat, therefore having less tendency to show cellulite. The prominent hormone circulating in men is , which stimulates the production of proteins. Because of this, men tend to have more dense layers of protein-rich connective tissue within their skin, leading to an overall thicker skin layer. This also reduces the tendency to develop cellulite.

How Cellulite Develops

When your is running well, your deliver nutrient-rich blood to the skin as the removes waste and toxins. If you have poor blood and lymph flow, the connective tissue becomes weak and retains fluid. Stagnant blood and lymph fluid reduces the elasticity of the septa. The connective tissue then tightens down on the underlying fat cells. Poor circulation causes veins and capillaries to weaken and leak blood into the tissue, this increases pressure in the fat layer and reroutes blood flow around the tissue. As the connective tissue thickens, the body deposits fat cells directly below the skin surface.

Connective tissues are the fibers under the skin that connect the skin to muscle. In men, connective tissues appear in a criss-cross pattern, creating a net-like barrier to keep fat away from the skin. In women, connective tissues appear as parallel bars, giving cellulite fat an opportunity to push up through them. As the fat pushes against the tissues, they begin to bulge, pressing into the skin. The tissues then imprint themselves upon the skin, giving your skin a dimpled, uneven look.

Age will also increase the likelihood of cellulite's appearance, because when one ages, skin loses strength and elasticity, causing the loss of it's ability to hide imperfections. Muscle that loses it's tone with age may also add to the wrinkled appearance.

Causes of Cellulite

• Hereditary
• Inactive Lifestyle
• Stress
• Over Production Of Estrogen
• Use of Hormonal Contraceptives
• Weight Gain & Unhealthy Diet
• Alcohol
• Aging / Loss of Skin Elasticity

Food Intake & Cellulite

The foods that you eat have a direct relationship to maintaining optimal blood and lymph circulation. A diet that incorporates whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables can help you avoid cellulite. Reducing processed and refined foods will lead to fewer toxins in your body. Introducing more foods rich in Antioxidants also fight free radicals and help improve elasticity of the skin's connective tissues. Doctors also advise against sugar because it interferes with how you metabolize vitamin C, which is important for forming collagen and elastin and restoring skin structure.

Foods That Fight The Appearance Of Cellulite

Eating less is not necessarily the solution to cellulite, since the condition is related to skin deterioration rather than an accumulation of too much fat in the body, but it can be reduced by proper nutrition. Nutrition helps heal and revitalize connective tissue, reducing the damage that leads to cellulite.

Lecithin helps rebuild cell walls & repair tissue by hydration, and a damaged dermis is susceptible to dehydration and breakage.

Lecithin sources include:

• Eggs
• Soy Products (Tofu, Edamame, Soy Flour, Soy Milk, ect.)
• Cauliflower
• Potatoes
• Spinach (contains vitamin K which is beneficial to your skin and circulatory system)
• Tomatoes

Essential Fatty Acids help attract water to dehydrated cells and connective tissue and maintain cell hydration. They are fundamental to removing cellulite, so you should get them from:

• Walnuts
• Flax Seeds
• Cold-Water Fish (Salmon, wild-caught Alaskan & Mackerel)

Protein sources consumed to obtain the nine essential amino acids the body requires to produce collagen and elastin inside connective tissues like:

• Poultry (Turkey & Chicken help collagen production, which tightens the connective tissues around fat cells, giving skin a taunt, smooth look)
• Fish
• Eggs

Protein Sources For Vegetarians:

• Leafy Green Vegetables
• Nuts
• Wheat

Anti-inflammatory foods rich in Antioxidants stop the free radical damage that weakens the dermis and results in lumps and dimples.

The best antioxidants for skin health include , vitamins A, C and E and . The strongest polyphenol is and that is found in fruits like apples, pears and citrus fruits and it plays a wonderful role in the digestive system. The acids found in these fruits neutralize toxins and help restore the pH balance of the skin. Eating more of these fruits will metabolize fat ultimately reducing cellulite as well!

• Apples
• Kiwifruit
• Mango
• Cantaloupe 
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Pomegranates
• Blueberries 
• Cherries 
• Blackberries
• Citrus Fruits
• Yellow & Orange Fruits and Vegetables (for their abundance in vitamins A and C)  
• Dark Green Leafy Vegetables & Vegetable Oils (for their high concentration in vitamin E which is stored in cell walls and offers immediate protection against free-radical damage).

Foods that contain (ALA) and (GLA) help stop inflammation and tissue damage. Rich sources of ALA include:

• Lettuce
• Broccoli (high in vitamins and antioxidants for skin, also helps avoid water retention and high in fiber)
• Spinach (contains vitamin K which is beneficial to your skin and circulatory system)
• Beans
• Black Currant Oil & Hemp Oil.

Spices, such as Cayenne, Pepper and Chilies, help improve circulation

Green Tea can help reduce the appearance of cellulite, because it helps with fat breakdown and preventing fat. Drinking green tea will help to burn more fat, so there will be less fat under the skin to dimple and cause cellulite.

Supplements like  repairs damage to the dermis, and rejuvenates & strengthens the skin.

 can remove excess fat from the body and help detox the liver.

Detoxing To Fight Cellulite

In addition to a nutritious meal plan of proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, detoxification is key to reducing the appearance of cellulite because it helps remove toxins from the lymph, liver and kidneys. As toxins from the environment, processed meals and foods with chemical additives accumulate in your body, they can be deposited in and around the fat cells. Trapped toxins cause premature hardening of connective tissue, which causes it to bear down on the fat cells beneath it, making the appearance of cellulite more noticeable.

Stress & Cellulite

Reducing stress has an impact on eliminating cellulite, because when you are stressed, blood is redirected away from the skin, which decreases circulation,  toxin removal and nutrient flow to skin tissue. Stress can also cause you to eat unhealthy food, which results in toxin buildup and increased fat storage.

Exercise & Cellulite

A good idea to de-stress, is by burning fat as you tone your muscles.  Although regular exercise can help you to burn extra fat, it won't eliminate cellulite. The fat your body that is burned for energy is near the bones, while the fat in cellulite resides below the skin surface. However, decreasing the fat in the deeper layer reduces pressure on the septa and the fat layer below the skin, reducing the appearance of cellulite.

Aerobic exercise combined with strength training helps decrease fat, build and tone muscle, and increase metabolism. These actions can help to reduce the pressure on cellulite in the skin. Exercise is especially important for aging women who naturally lose muscle mass and whose metabolism naturally slows.

Aerobic exercises like running, biking or dancing for a total of at least 3 hours and 45 minutes per week. Also including strength training in your workout at least twice per week, as stated by . You can use free weights, bands or machines among other training equipment to target cellulite-stricken areas. Using free weights with squats, lunges, crunches and leg presses. Also as a quick suggestion to help with Cellulite on the butt & legs is the DVD Series "by Beachbody is incredible and gives beautiful results when mixed with the food recommendations!

For other specific exercises, consult a trainer at your local gym.

Results From Exercise Mixed With A Healthy Diet

Cellulite Fighting Exercises 

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