Anti-Cellulite Answers

Ug, don't be so hard on yourself! Even my super toned friends have it, and it's a fact of life for most women. The cause is mainly genetic and cellulite formation is linked to hormones, estrogen to be exact. That is why women gain fat in their thighs, bottom, tummy and the back of their arms when they go through hormonal changes like pregnancy. I've been an aerobic instructor for many years and, while I've always been fairly thin, I've had cellulite on the back of my legs, my bottom and my upper arms for awhile. Two years ago, I decided to get a personal trainer and add weight training to my workout. Wow, what a difference that made! My cellulite is gone gone gone and it was due to the weight training. While the aerobic exercise benefitted my cardiovascular needs, I wasn't getting the tone that I needed. I worked out with my trainer 2 to 3 times a week on weights, an hour each day. Most people don't know this but you will actually burn more calories in an hour of strength training than you will in aerobic activity, if done properly. What's even better is your body continues to burn calories hours after you're done training! I went through a down phase a couple of months ago, and I stopped training and started eating carbs. Guess what came back? The cellulite. If you want to lose it, learn to love fish, especially salmon, get rid of the carbs like bread(keep good carbs like veggies), strength train 2 to 3 times a week, with a trainer if at all possible, if not, find a friend if you don't have the motivation to go on your own. Get on the road and run/walk. Watch your diet, you know when you're going wrong. Do those things, and I promise you that your cellulite will be greatly diminished, if not gone. The bad news? You have to give yourself at least a month of training and diet changes to see visible results. But it is well worth it I can tell you. I have people stop me every day and ask me what I have been doing different, because my body looks so much leaner and tighter. Highly recommended reading? Body for Life by Bill Phillips. It literally changed my ideas about nutrition and taking control of my body. If you need any more tips, let me know. Hope this helps

I know, some people have no clue. Cellulite is actually mainly an issue with loss of elasticity in the connective tissues. It can affect women of any age and any size, in fact most women suffer with cellulite. Obviously the less fat you have, the better it will look, but when you are as slim as you are, there is no point trying to become thinner!

If you are interested, there are some cosmetic treatments that may help. One is known as endermologist, which is lymphatic drainage and the other is mesotherapy, where small amount of a solution are injected into the problem areas and this can improve the look of the cellulite.

The only other suggestions I have are keeping your diet healthy, ie free from foods that cause toxins to build up such as processed foods high in salt and coffee especially. Drink at least 4-8 glass of water per day. Try having cold showers in the morning and dry body brushing to improve circulation. Get plenty of exercise to tone the problem areas and maybe get your hormones checked, as high oestrogen levels can cause cellulite to worsen, which can also happen whilst on the birth control pill if it has a high oestrogen content. HTH : )

There are various kinds of cellulites. One is found in the muscles of active women like dancers and runners. The hard or solid cellulites are difficult to eliminate, since they are fixed directly to the muscles. But soft cellulites are highly visible and can give a sagging look to the body. But though they are present in bigger muscle areas, they can be easily removed.

Unfortunately, cellulite problems commonly plague women. The problem can begin at an early age of 14 years and the affected areas can become bigger as they age. Women taking birth control pills and new mothers are also highly susceptible. Injured persons are also likely to develop cellulites.

Treatment methods are here http://losing-cellulite.info/

"Cellulite Solutions

by Monica Neave
Cellulite is a nuisance for thin and overweight women alike and can be somewhat more difficult to tackle than losing weight. Although some believe that it is a special type of fat, "cellulite is simply normal fat that looks bumpy because it's pushing through the connective tissues that usually keeps it distributed evenly beneath your skin", says WebMD writer Michel Bloomquist. Genetics, age, pregnancy and hormone levels are among the causes that you have no control over. Some people are born with weaker tissue structures that collect fat deposits more easily. Others experience a weakening of tissue structures as they age. And some women produce high levels of estrogen (especially during pregnancy) that tend to break apart collagen tissue fibers allowing for fat to deposit in the form of cellulite.

The good news is that there are plenty of other factors that cause cellulite which you can control. Your body fat level is probably the most important one; the less fat that you have on your body the less fat there is to push through those connective tissues. So even if you are genetically predisposed to cellulite lowering your body fat will keep it to a minimum. Two other factors to consider are poor circulation and bad food choices, which tend to go hand in hand. Poor circulation damages tissue which results in blocked air and trapped toxins from too much processed foods or food allergies. The more you exercise and the better food choices you make the less chance you have of toxins contributing to your cellulite. One last thing to consider is sun exposure that ages your skin and contributes to the breakdown of collagen tissue.

There are numerous treatments for cellulite on the market including herbal treatments, creams, gels, exfoliants, endermology, body wraps, hormone or enzyme injections, and even electrical muscle stimulation but the rate of success is low and there aren’t any studies or research that prove any of this stuff really works. These treatments are also very pricey. But don’t despair, there are more effective ways to reduce cellulite.

Build Fat Burning Muscle
Building muscle changes your body composition and burns off fat stores faster than cardio or dieting alone. For every pound of muscle you burn an extra 50 calories a day even while you sleep. If you were to put on 5lb of muscle you could be burning an extra 250 calories a day even while you sit. This is a lot more than an hour of cardio, which only keeps your metabolism elevated for several hours. Building muscle also increases circulation and elasticity, which tightens your muscles and skin tissue from within. It’s still important to do cardio but your focus should be on strength training, especially the lower body. The best lower body cellulite busters include walking lunges with dumbbell, seated leg curls, leg press, and plie squats with a dumbbell.

Stay Away From Fat Free
Obviously a healthy diet is the best way to reduce body fat but fat free products are some of the worst foods for fat loss. These foods are highly processed and very unsatisfying so you tend to eat more of them and since they are loaded with sugar, trans fatty acids, and high in calories excess calories quickly get stored as fat. Another major problem with fat free foods is that the labeling is somewhat deceptive. "The FDA label laws state that if a food has less than one-half gram of fat in a serving, that food can be labeled fat-free. The FDA however, is a bit lax when it comes to regulating serving sizes. By using a serving size of .02-.04 grams a food manufacturer can actually label pure fat as fat free" explains fitness expert Phil Kaplan. If you are craving something have a small portion of the full fat portion and then get back on track with your healthy eating.

Good Fats Promote Fat Loss
This is right on track with the recommendation above. People have been brainwashed to believe that all fat is bad when in reality omega 3 and omega 6 fats found in olive oil, avocados, almonds, walnuts, and flaxseed oil, boost metabolism and unlock stored body fat. "Glucagon is a key hormone that enables your body to burn it’s stores of body fat. A diet rich in omega fats helps balance your insulin levels so that glucagon can be released to unlock your body’s fat storage banks and begin converting unwanted body fat into energy" writes weightloss expert Jorge Cruise. The fats that you should avoid include those found in margarine, fried foods, refined vegetable oils, full fat animal products, and processed foods that contain the words partially hydrogenated on the ingredients list.

Recommended Fat Loss Supplement
Super Flaxseed Oil 32fl oz

Boost Fiber Intake
According to Dr. Scott Conelly, author of Body Rx, and one of the hottest looking 50 year old doctors around, "When fiber is digested, it is fermented in the gut and converted iinto short-chain fatty acids, which can be burned for fuel. The burning of fatty acids from fiber sends a signal to your fat cells telling them to release fat, which your body uses for fuel. The fiber in food also creates a sensation of feeling full, so you feel more satisfied after eating it". Starting your morning with a good breakfast cereal like kashi good friends (8 grams of fiber) and half a cup of berries (4 grams of fiber) almost gets you half way to the recommended 25-30 grams of fiber a day. Keep in mind that most Americans only get around 5 grams a day so starting out your day with a high fiber meal increases your chances of getting to the recommended amount.

Think twice about spending your money on cellulite products that are not guaranteed to work and remember that a healthy diet and strength training is your ticket to fat loss and a cellulite free body."

Each person responds to them differently…
not all girls see a change in the size of their breasts, or get clearer skin… as for the stretch-marks and cellulite, i don't know.

Go see a gynecologist before you play with your body and mess up your hormones, as not all pills are the same (some have too many negative side-effects..).

I know it is long but read it because I researched the same question and these are the answers I got I see alot of these other answers and they are not correct ( no offense) there are creams that will deminish the appearence for a short smount of time, it is hereditary and there is really nothing you cn do about it, exercising may tone it down but not get rid of it, any way read this and it will explain what is true and what is false about cellulite and at the bottom it explains what cellulite is ( I copied and pasted it off the web site, I hope it helps….

True or False: Cellulite is a special type of fat.

True
False

Explanation:
Fat is fat, whether it’s on your thighs or on your arms. Cellulite occurs when subcutaneous fat (found directly under the skin) gets pushed up through the layer of mesh-like connective tissue, resulting in a lumpy and bumpy appearance.

True or False: Men can get cellulite.

True
False

Explanation:
While the structure of men's skin prevents most men from getting cellulite, there are some cases of male orange-peel appearance—particularly in men with lower levels of the male hormone androgen. Overall, about 10% of men have cellulite (compared to over 90% of women).

True or False: Only liposuction can remove cellulite.

True
False

Explanation:
Extracting the fat layer between the skin and the fibrous bands of connective tissue can actually accentuate the lumpy appearance and make cellulite worse. Liposuction can remove pockets of stubborn fat, but it is not suitable as a cellulite treatment.

True or False: Exercising will prevent cellulite.

True
False

Explanation:
Even the most hard-core female athletes can have cellulite because of the nature of her fibrous connective tissue (see myth #1 above). Exercise will reduce the overall amount of fat you have overall, thereby minimizing the amount of cellulite you have. Tone, firm muscles will also make the cellulite you do have less noticeable.

True or False: Special creams may diminish the appearance of cellulite.

True
False

Explanation:
Topical vitamin A acid creams, such as retinol and tretinoin, can improve the look of cellulite by increasing collagen content and firming the skin. Other types of creams containing caffeine can improve skin’s appearance by temporarily plumping up the surrounding area, smoothing out the dimples. But these are only short-term solutions and not every product works the same way. The lumps and bumps will return when you quit applying these products.

True or False: Over time, tanning can camouflage cellulite.

True
False

Explanation:
Tanned skin does conceal the appearance of cellulite in the short-term. But UV radiation from the sun (or a tanning bed) actually weakens and thins the skin, making cellulite more noticeable over time. Use a self-tanning lotion instead of sunbathing if you want to minimize the look of your cellulite.

True or False: Scrubbing or dry-brushing your skin can help break down fat deposits and reduce cellulite.

True
False

Explanation:
Regular use of a loofah will increase circulation and slough off the top layer of the skin but it has little effect on cellulite because it cannot reach the deeper tissues. It may however help your skin look smoother by improving its surface layer.

True or False: Cellulite can be cured with special body wraps.

True
False

Explanation:
Body wrapping uses special wraps (plastic, rubber or cloth) in conjunction with lotions to supposedly reduce the amount of cellulite on the body. Most medical experts agree that this simply causes a reduction in water weight due to sweating and any inches lost will return once you are properly hydrated again. Losing too much body fluid can be harmful because it can cause an electrolyte imbalance and possible heart failure.

True or False: The FDA has approved a massage tool for cellulite reduction.

True
False

Explanation:
The FDA has approved a high-powered, handheld massage tool that consists of a treatment head, two motorized rollers, and a suction device that compresses the affected tissue between the two rollers. The procedure, called Endermologie, usually takes 10 to 20 treatments to get the best results. After that, one or two maintenance treatments each month are required to maintain these results. Without the maintenance, the benefits are soon lost. Each session typically costs $45 to $65.

True or False: Only overweight people have cellulite.

True
False

Explanation:
Thin people, fit individuals, and even those who are at a healthy weight (and healthy body fat percentage) can have cellulite, just as some unfit and overweight people may not have it. Most women will have cellulite to some degree. Whether or not you develop cellulite depends on factors like genetics, gender and hormonal levels.

The Bottom Line
Cellulite can be found on over 90% of women (and 10% of men), whether thin or overweight. But just because cellulite is common doesn’t mean you have to simply accept it as a fact of life. While eating right and exercising regularly can burn fat, and using a topical product may temporarily improve the appearance of cellulite, genetics plays the major role in the formation of these lumps and bumps. To learn more, read our expert answers to the question "How can I get rid of my cellulite?"

Cellulite, the dimpled appearance on the surface of the skin that is often described as "cottage cheese" or an "orange peel", is most common among women, especially on the thighs and buttocks. However, both men (about 10% of cases) and women can have cellulite, which can occur anywhere on the body, including the abdomen, arms and calves. Having some body fat is necessary and healthy for normal body functioning. Cellulite is simply visible subcutaneous ("below the skin") fat cells that bulge the skin.

While many people with cellulite feel self-conscious about it, simply having cellulite does not mean a person is overweight. Thin people, fit individuals, and even those who are at a healthy weight (and healthy body fat percentage) can have cellulite, just as some unfit and overweight people may not. Most women (90% or more) will have cellulite to some degree because they store more fat than men and their skin and fat cell structure is slightly different. Whether or not you develop cellulite depends on factors like genetics, gender and hormonal levels.

Because cellulite is fat, losing weight (if you are overweight) may help diminish the appearance of cellulite as the size of your fat cells decrease. There is no way to "spot train" any area of the body. Cardio exercise helps burn fat from all over the body and enhances fat loss. Strength training is important for both weight loss and overall health as well, but simply targeting the areas of your cellulite (hamstrings, buttocks, or abs for example) will not make it go away.

Many people can lose weight and notice an improved appearance in cellulite, but it's no guarantee. Because it's so closely linked to factors that you can't control (genetics, gender, hormones), losing weight may not completely get rid of cellulite.

Creams, treatments, massage techniques, and other cellulite therapies do NOT get rid of cellulite. While some products may help diminish the appearance of it through hydration or firming of the outer layers of the skin, these results are temporary won't result in weight loss.

Weight gain is common with many brands of birth control pills which is mainly water and often occurs within the first month or so and should settle down. I would recommend checking with your doctor and pharmacist as well to see what they think.

Cellulite is a medical term for fat, one of the most stubbornly irritating problems faced by women. Cellulite is pure fat pushed outward towards the skin while the connective fibres that connect your skin to muscle pull inwards, specifically lumpy fat located around the upper thighs and lower buttocks. Women are genetically have a tendency to store fat around their hip and thigh area. That is the place where cellulite occurs the most. Cellulite affects many more women than men. Men don't get cellulite because they store fat around their middles, rather than in the cellulite zone (thighs, hips and behind). It is estimated that almost 85 percent of American women have excessive cellulite on their thighs and buttocks. Also, the dermis over the fat layer is thicker in men, which hides dimples, and more importantly, men's connective fibers are anchored differently.

What is the cause of cellulite?
The latest theory suggests that female hormonal influences cause fat cells to cluster together in the thighs. The clumped fat cells constrict the tiny local blood vessels and impair normal blood flow. With damaged blood vessels and compromised blood flow, the cells in the thigh area cannot repair themselves in their usual way. Instead, deposits of protein form around the clumped fat cells and damaged blood vessels. The combination of protein and fat with poor circulation creates spots under the skin, which project a "cottage cheese" appearance in the thighs. In short, scientists now think cellulite is a consequence of female hormones, decreased circulation in tiny blood vessels, and protein and fat globule deposits under the skin. Much of this process may be genetically determined.

How to get Rid of cellulite?
Your first plan of action to get rid of cellulite should be exercise. If you are able to shed fat, you will automatically reduce cellulite. Build up muscle tone which will help you in burning more calories even while at rest. In order to shed fat from your body you will have to cut out the fat from your diet. Switch to fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads, chapatti made from unpolished wheat flour, 'khakharas' and low-fat yoghurt made from skimmed milk.

Massage breaks up fat cells, which makes it harder for to dimple.

The next thing you should perform is a good cellulite massage. Massaging the thighs to promote good circulation is another technique used to reduce cellulite. Some anti-cellulite creams also suggest you to use them with massage. A cream makes massage easier, but it's the massage, not the potions, that probably helps most. Many spas use a combination of herbs and other naturally derived creams, in conjunction with massage, heating pads, or warm towels. A special machine called Endermologie is also used to help massage the skin and promote circulation. Endermologie experts claim their machine increases local circulation as the clusters of cellulite are rolled over and stretched out. Endermologie machines are used by some dermatologists and plastic surgeons, and may temporarily reduce cellulite when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise program. A healthy diet and a regular exercise program appear to control cellulite by stimulating circulation and metabolism.

Liposuction is another surgical procedure used to reduce cellulite. After an incision, a small metal tube is placed in the fat site, and a pump like device suctions unwanted fat from the body. Scientific literature suggests that this is the most effective way to achieve visible results. Liposuction, however, involves a certain amount of risk and should be discussed with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Liposuction acts only to reduce fatty deposits; it does not address the problems of circulation or hormone influence that contribute to cellulite. Although liposuction appears to provide the most visible results, future treatments that target fat removal as well 'as circulation and hormone influences would remove cellulite even more effectively.

Cellulite Cream and Lotion
Forget the ads. There is no magic cellulite lotion that can help you get rid of cellulite completely. But you can reduce the appearance of cellulite to some extent.

Cellulite creams for the thighs contain one or more ingredients that have reported to destroy fat deposits, and thereby prevent the formation of cellulite. Research studies done by scientists have shown that at the most cellulite creams show minimal reduction for cellulite and that too with creams that contain caffeine. Cream-based products with botanical ingredients, such as sweet clover, ivy barley, lemon, kola nut, fennel, algae, and strawberry, are also advertised for cellulite reduction. Till now, nobody knows how these substances help to get rid of cellulite, and no good researches support the claims of these cellulite creams and lotions.

You can also rub in tretinoin cream, which is a cream to reduce cellulite. It may improve the appearance of cellulite when used along with massage and exercise. When you use tretinoin, the skin gets a bit thicker and firmer, and then the little fat pockets don't project through the skin as much. But tretinoin isn't a miracle cure.

Cellulite is fat. You aren't going to get rid of it very much by the use of creams. So, if you've tried everything and still harbour a few unwanted ripples, don't fret. It is possible that you can be at your ideal weight and in great shape, yet still have dimples caused by cellulite.

Cellulite is not always found in "fat" people, but also "skinny" ones–that is because it is actually your skin that is dimpling. there really is no cure for it, but you can help minimize the appearance of it by drinking plenty of water, doing thigh/butt specific exercises(check out "buns of steel"), moisturizing twice daily, and massaging the problem area(s) thouroughly daily.
it is also said that caffeine will help eliminate cellulite. there are lotions and patches that contain caffeine that you might want to try. i tried the cellulite patches by loreal, and they seemed to work fairly well. the only problem is, that if you have sensitive skin, it will cause irratation. it says on the box to wear the patch for several hours a day, but i would only reccomend an hour at first.
good luck and don't give up!

Cellulite can be described as lymphatic junk that hasn't been taken away through the system. There are several reasons this occurs; genetic, improper diet, stress, too tight outfit, etc. Cellulite is not fat.

First you should find out why you have cellulite and fight it from there.

You need to activate your metabolism by doing proper physical exercise and intake more fluids. Perhaps reasonable walking, exercising and/or swimming would do. This should stimulate the elimination of toxins in your body. It is important that you activate your system before you start decomposing the cellulite structure.

Drink enough water and/or diuretic teas. Diuretic teas range from mild diuretics (Rosehip) to teas specially mixed for fighting cellulite which you can buy in the pharmacy.

Eat properly. An example of diuretic food are cucumber and parsley. Eat lots of fiber and combine your food properly and in proper quantities. Congestion followed by constipation, is the killer.

Use special creams to prepare your skin for the stress, as well as to treat it afterwards. This way you would avoid stretch marks. Stretch marks are best treatable in early stage.

Anti cellulite gels are good for the superficial decomposition of cellulite. Give it a try.

Massage is essential. You do need to have someone massage it away, with special oils and wrapping, etc. This is combined with specific treatments used in salons, where practically everything is applicable and, unless you are unlucky with the salon choice, under control.

When you start crunching the cellulite, at the beginning it may appear that you have more of it, because the deeper layers would go to the surface. Don't panic. This is temporary. I'm saying this because perhaps you are aware that summer is coming and you've found your long lost thighs You must strive throughout. Bad experience is with peoples who remember of their body only before summer comes, and those who simply are looking for a one day wonder after years of mistreating their body. Think of it as a long term commitment to fight cellulite and you are on the right path.

Frequently asked questions:

Q: Is coffee bad for cellulite?

A: People usually drink coffee after a heavy meal, every day and in larger quantities. It usually all sums up into a nice heavy congestion. Drinking coffee on empty stomach, and in reasonable quantity is not bad for cellulite.

Q: What is the fastest way to get rid of cellulite?

A: Liposuction.

Q: Is exercising and diet enough to get rid of cellulite?

A: No. It needs to be treated locally.