Cellulite....here's the lowdown
Ok, here’s a post for the ladies…..Cellulite. One of the first questions I get asked by women is ‘How do I get rid of cellulite?’ First, let me put it out there, that I definitely have cellulite. Before I started weight lifting it was worse. I weighed less, but I was the typical ‘Skinny fat’. People would laugh at me when I said I have cellulite, they assumed that by being an Aussie size 8 there was no way someone my size could have it. But that’s where we all go wrong. Cellulite is affected by a number of things; collagen fibres, hormones, body fat, and lymphatics.
80-90% of post-adolescent women have cellulite of some description. It is thought that in women the collagen fibres run vertically, whereas in men it is more mesh like. Collagen is like scaffolding for our skin. We have skin on one side of the collagen and fat on the other. As the fat cells start to expand they push against the collagen fibres and bulge. The cellulite appearance is caused by the fat pushing its way through, and around the fibres. But fat is not the only culprit here, fluid retention plays a big part too.
Men are less susceptible because their collagen fibres are more mesh like, rather than vertical. Cellulite is also affected by oestrogen, another reason women have it more than our lovely counterparts. The fat receptors that we have in these stubborn areas are heightened by oestrogen, which simply means they hold onto fat cells for dear life rather than using them as fuel. Most women have more of these alpha receptors in the lower body. This in turn is why we a.) Experience more cellulite on the butt, thighs & legs, and b.) Why we lose weight there last. Cellulite is not only fat though, it is also fluid. And if you pay attention to your body, you will notice that at certain times of the month it is worse, such as ovulation time when we are in a higher oestrogen state.
Unfortunately these stubborn cells also have less blood flow. So for those of us who genetically have bad circulation (me, me!), then we are on even more of a losing streak. This is where massage can help, as it flushes the area with blood. It also helps your sluggish lymphatic system, and the fluid we hold on to. You have probably read that skin brushing helps cellulite and this is the reason why. However, with massage and skin brushing, they really only alleviate the issue. It moves the fluid out of the tissues and this is why drinking lots of water, particularly after a massage, is recommended. Diuretic teas also help, such as Dandelion and Nettle Tea.
But wait, the good news is we can definitely improve the appearance. One of the best thing you can do is resistance training. Yep girls, lifting weights. And not 1kg dumbbells. You need to commit to the heavy stuff ;) If you can do 3 sets of 12 easy, then you are not lifting heavy enough. Why resistance training? Because when muscles are worked on a regular basis, it not only improves the look of the muscle, but it also affects the fascia and collagen fibres. This gives a tighter, firmer appearance. Regular exercise will also improve your circulation, which as stated above is a player in the lumps and bumps.
So, in a nutshell ladies you may not ever eradicate it. If you are holding onto sneaky body fat then you will need to begin by addressing that. By exercising and weight training you will improve your strength, health and as an extra bonus you will improve the bumpy bits. For those of you who are like me and don’t need to lose weight but still have cellulite, well lift some weights, particularly focusing on the lower body, throw in some cardio, remember your water, and have a regular massage. If you cannot afford a massage I recommend the HoMedics hand held massager. They really are great for circulation! At the end of the day, most of us have it, it’s what makes up part of our beautiful bodies.
