Anti-Cellulite Answers

The following healthy living recommendations will help you if you’re trying to lose weight, tone up your muscles, have aspirations of building lean muscle mass, are attempting to get a wash board stomach, or just want to feel better:

*1) Burn more calories then you're consuming everyday and measure your results using the following formula: Calories Consumed minus Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) minus Physical Activity minus the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF). A website that explains this formula in more detail and will help you determine how many calories you need to reach or maintain a certain weight is at http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/weight/calsburned.htm

Get an online, desktop, or cell phone diet and fitness calculator. This will allow you to easily calculate the above formula, set goals, log your daily calorie consumption, and register your physical activities.

Set realistic goals for your ideal body weight. Here are two websites that will calculate a suggested body weight:
Adults: http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm
Teens/Children: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/exercise/weight/bmi.html

It is difficult and unhealthy to lose more than one or two pounds per week. There are 3,500 calories in a pound. If you eat 500 fewer calories per day for a week you will lose one pound. If you burn through exercise 500 more calories per day for a week you will lose one pound.

Here are two articles on how to break through a weight loss plateau:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/86/99147.htm

http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/18/102117.htm

*2) Eat natural and organic foods found on earth versus something created by a corporation to make money. Eat meals in small portions throughout the day and take a good multi-vitamin supplement.

Do not try fad diets or diet pills. Avoid “High Glycemic Load Carbs” (sugar, pastries, desserts, refined starches such as breads, pasta, refined grains like white rice; high starch vegetables such as potatoes) and drink lots of water. Read this article for more information on high GL Carbs:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates.html

The following are food pyramids and several articles on what you should eat everyday:
Food Pyramids:

http://www.rayandterry.com/html/images/PyramidLRG.gif?osCsid=26a424be471d1337e7c2f105d5c64d9d

http://www.mypyramid.gov/

Antioxidant Superstars – Vegetables and Beans:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/104/107638.html

Antioxidant Loaded Fruits:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/104/107640.html

Good Carbs Mean Better Weight:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/100/105783.htm

The Benefits of Protein:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/85/98824.htm

Some Fats Are Good For You:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/49/40075.htm

Antioxidants in Green and Black Tea:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/104/107641.html

What You Should Eat Daily:

http://www.oprah.com/health/yourbody/slide/slide_yourbody_healthfood_201.jhtml

Best Foods to Fight off Disease and Keep You Healthy:

http://www.oprah.com/health/yourbody/slide/slide_yourbody_healthfood_101.jhtml

*3) Perform cardiovascular, core, and/or strength training on most days. Read a book or find a certified trainer to make sure you're doing all exercises correctly.

The following is a website and numerous articles on cardiovascular, core, and strength training:
Exercise Prescription on the Net

http://www.exrx.net/

Starting an Exercise Program:

http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/startexercise.htm

Strength Training Basics:

http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/trainbasics.htm

Cardiovascular Machine Workouts:

http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/cardiowork.htm

Balance Your Way to a Stronger Body:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/64/72314.htm

Understanding Your Training Heart Rate:

http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/thr.htm

Exercise Errors:

http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/errors.htm

Getting a Flat Stomach:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/71/81365.htm

Weight Lifting – Does Order Matter:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/80/96440.htm

Encouraging Exercise in Your Kids:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/95/103524.htm

Strength Training Safe and Effective for Kids:

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/32/1728_81005.htm

*4) Get plenty of sleep. Sleep experts say most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health, and safety.

*5) Educate yourself continually on health issues and make a life long commitment to good health. A great free publication is “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005”. A reputable test you can take to measure your biological age is at http://realage.com
Look at all areas where you can enhance your health. For example, make improvements in the quality of the air you breathe. Review outdoor air quality forecasts where you live and get an indoor air purifier.

Send me an email or yahoo instant message to "gainbetterhealth" if you have any questions and good luck!

*Click on all the source links below to get the full benefit of the recommendations. The answers presented to your health questions are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Did you know the 95% of women get cellulite at some point in there lives. Even fit top super models get cellulite. So you can't just diet and exercise but that does help alot. You should also start drinking a lot of water. But I tell every one about dry skin brushing:

You need to do dry skin brushing ever day.

Dry skin brushing encourages the excess fluid to drain from the areas prone to cellulite.

All you need is a brush with hard and scratchy bristles. Five minutes of dry skin brushing a day can improve digestion, aid metabolism, impart new levels of energy and dissipate cellulite.

Plus the brush is not expensive and there are no negative side affects like some diet pills have =)

The best advice I can think of is to drink lots of water, eat healthy, work out and focus on the parts of your body that you like as you try to accept the parts you don't. Try not to worry about it too much. For stretch marks, I would suggest rubbing "palmer's cocoa butter cream for stretch marks" on them, followed by vitamin E oil (straight out of the caplets – buy the natural/d-alpha ones). Do this daily, preferably right after exfoliating well in the shower and once before bed. Be consistent in order to see results. But even if you don't, treating them this way will make them look and feel better to you than leaving them untreated. For cellulite, try rubbing/massaging coffee on it (since caffeine is in lots of cellulite lotions) for a couple of minutes every couple of days.

I've also read that MSM cream and supplements are good for stretch marks (see the last poster):

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060718173857AAyMnRv&show=7

These links might also offer some solutions. Good luck

http://www.otan.dni.us/webfarm/emailproject/stretch.htm

http://spas.about.com/od/skincare/a/Cellulite.htm

….And don't forget, at the end of the day, these are just small imperfections in a world that expects every woman to fit into some impossible ideal of "perfection". Try to keep it in perspective. It's still your body and it's still functioning well. And you can walk, run and move those stretch-marked hips back and forth. That's more than lots of people are able to do. Be grateful for your body. Anyways, your stretch marks and cellulite just show that you are a woman who HAS LIVED.

The product I used that seems to be working is Palmers cocoa butter/firming butter. Tightens skin after pregnancy and weight loss and diminishes stretch marks. I did not have a severe case but its been working for me. Hope that helps.

One way to get rid of cellulite is massaging. This is a very vigorous form of massage. Remember u are trying to break up fat, so it will involve some hard work.

How to massage:

- Apply massage oil to your hands, rub your palms together to warm it up and energize it.

-Rub the oild into the area you are walking on until it is fully absorbed by the skin. After that, knead the area by pinching and lifting the fat and skin folds between the thumbs and four fingers. Do for five minutes, gently at first but slowly apply more pressure over time.

-It is benefical to put hot towels on the area you're working on. leave them in place for 5 minutes or so; this helps the absorbed oil to work better. (any oil will do, the thing is to massage correctly). After kneading the skin, you can warm up the tissue with friction, by rubbing the area briskly with the palm of your hand.

this massage helps to get rid of cellulite, reduce cravings, and improve pituitary-hypothalamic functions.

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.

My apologies…I don't think you can remove cellulite…You can reduce it though…Don't buy into the hype around the lotions and potions, they are a money making business and offer no real results

I read a story about a woman who spent so much money on all kinds of creams, lotions and even surgical procedure called Endermologie…None of them work! There are other procedures as well, which I'm sure don't work either…Here's the link:

http://women.webmd.com/features/getting-rid-of-cellulite

The good news is: There are definitely procedures out there that will help you get rid of stretchmarks and cellulite. Unfortunately, you cant get rid of stretchmarks…for the most part, it's genetic and you will either get them from pregnancy or weight gain…or you won't. In order to treat the marks and cellulite you do have, you can consider a few techniques.

Stretch Marks: Treat them when they're new and/or pink! The fresher the marks are, the easier they are to get rid of. Microderm and laser treatments in conjunction with topical treatments are very effective methods for fading or eliminating your stretch marks. You will need a series of treatments (depending on your situation). Free consultations are available at any good medspa or laser clinic, and they should be able to tell you exactly what you can expect as far as the treatment, # of sessions, results, and cost.

For cellulite, there's a range of treatments from more invasive surgical options such as tumescent liposuction, SmarLipo…or minimally invasive options like Endermologie (massage) or Mesotherapy (saline injections). Another treatment, called VelaSmooth is a laser procedure that is also effective at melting fat deposits. Remember, these treatments are effective for people with excercise resistant fat cells and NOT for people with moderate to extreme weight problems. In other words, this is for toning, not for weight loss. Hope this helps. Check out the link below for more info and for clinics and medspa in your area. Go in for a consultation…it's definitely worth your time!

Ok, first of all, don't panic…..yet.

I had cellulite before I got pregnant on my thighs, I weighed about 125 pounds before I conceived. And I know now I got it from poor diet and no exercise.
Once I got pregnant, I exercised and ate better. And I walked a hell of a lot after the baby was born and got down to about 105. And with the weight loss, the cellulite went too. If you don't now, start walking. And do it after the baby is born. Also rub some creams into it, whatever cellulite one you can get your hands on.

If you had a figure you were proud of before you got pregnant, you will get it back if you want to. It is not that hard to eat well and get 30 mins of exercise every other day. I get so sick of hearing women whining that it doesn't matter and you won't get rid of the weight/cellulite, or you won't have time or whatever. Being a good Mum is being a well rounded person, which includes being fit and healthy (physically and mentally) for your baby. It makes it easier to keep up with the baby, and when you are in a better state of health/mind, those broken nights of sleep are easier to take.

Good luck!

It didn’t make one bit of difference. I meticulously measure my calorie intake, exercise calories burned and check my metabolism regularly. I tried it to see if it would enhance what I was doing (like increasing my metabolism or increasing weight loss with the same calorie input/output) and the didn’t change a thing.

Don’t get it. Complete waste of money. Unfortunately, you just have to exercise to reduce it, but if genetically, you have a lot of cellulite, there’s not much you can do.