Cellulite – What Is It?

Cellulite is the term given to the lumpy substance resembling cottage cheese which is most commonly found on the thighs, legs and butt. While cellulite can be seen on both males and females, it is more common for women as they have more body fat, which is typically stored on these problem areas, in the event of pregnancy.

Contributing Factors

There are a few different factors which typically contribute to the presence and extent of cellulite. Genetics plays a major role here, as does your gender, the amount of fat on your body, your age, and the thickness of your skin. Diet, insufficient water intake, drinking coffee, smoking, tension and stress, medication, and a sedentary lifestyle also play a factor in cellulite’s appearance.

Poor Skin Tone And Inflexible Skin Tissues

Poor skin tone, thin skin and inflexibility of the skin tissues allow the normally hidden large fat cells to make their appearance. Skin tone is necessary to keep fat cells smoothly beneath the skin. Stretched skin or thin skin does not have the ability to cover the fat cells adequately. When the connective tissues beneath the skin become inflexible, their attachment points to the skin pull the skin constantly, which gives the dimpled appearance.

Weight gain and loss of skin tone can cause the appearance of cellulite. Weight gain produces more fat cells and fills up fat cells underneath the skin surfaces. As more weight is gained, more cellulite may make its appearance. Though it’s important to understand that cellulite can be seen on a person who is not overweight if their skin tone and connective tissue become inflexible or have any of the other contributing factors.

Diet, Exercise And Massage

Your options for natural care of cellulite include diet, exercise and massage. Eating diets rich in nutrition while low in fat and sugar provides the body with the fuel it requires to keep cells healthy and functioning at their best. And healthy cells make healthy bodies.

Hydrate

Drinking plenty of water is always necessary to help the body stay hydrated and aid the body in flushing toxins out.

Work Out

Regular exercise brisk enough to break a sweat helps in many ways. Exercise is a great means to gain and maintain muscle tone, burn calories, strengthen your cardiovascular system, and aid in the removal of toxins. In addition, most people who exercise find it helps them not only feel better physically, but increases their self-esteem as well.

Massage Therapy

Massage is also a great way to keep the skin and tissues toned to prevent inflexibility and help keep the fat cells covered allowing the body to maintain a smooth look.

While there is not much you can do about your genetics, your gender or your age there is plenty you can do about the other factors that contribute to cellulite’s appearance. The degree to which the cellulite bothers you may be the factor that regulates your motivation to make some lifestyle changes in hopes of seeing its appearance fade.