Cellulite can be defined as fat cells that have accumulated under the top layer of skin squeezed between connective tissue (and collagen) that attaches your muscle to your skin. Both thin and overweight people complain about cellulite.
Even though cellulite is a form of fat tissue there is a difference between it and the type of fat that insulates the body and protects the organs, muscles and nerves. Cellulite provides no cushion or padding and only occurs in certain areas of the body like the buttocks, abdomen, thighs and breasts.
Cellulite is comprised primarily of fat and toxins. When toxins build up and are not removed then cellulite is the end result.
Poor circulation is being targeted as one of the primary causes of cellulite. The “orange-peel” affect that is experienced with cellulite happens when blood flow slows which causes collagen to separate allowing fat to come to the surface of the skin.
Muscles keep the skin taut but cellulite is fat and fat is soft…it does not nor can it keep your skin taut…it bulges out instead causing the “cottage cheese,” “orange-peel” look we all hate.
More women experience cellulite than men but both genders are subject to cellulite. The fibers in the connective tissue in men run horizontally and this crisscross type pattern prevents dimpling or bulging on the skin. Women on the other hand have fibers that form a honey-comb shape pattern that causes any increase in fat to bulge out…similar to how stuffing in an old mattress might do.
Although cellulite can make its appearance at any time, age does seem to be a factor because tissue changes as we age. Our connective tissue thickens while our skin gets thinner…giving cellulite center stage.
Lack of exercise, poor eating habits, deficient water intake (water helps flush out the toxins), smoking (yep smoking plays a role here too as it weakens the skin…it constricts capillaries…and damages connective tissue causing dimpling, stress and genetics all play a role in the development of cellulite.
There is new research done by Peter Pugliese and GE Pierard that suggest that cellulite is an “interaction of adipose tissue and connective tissues upon which the sex hormones act.” They go on to say that cellulite is a natural process in females primarily induced by the hormone estrogen which helps to explain why more women experience this “hated fat” than men.
Unfortunately, there is no quick-fix for cellulite. Cellulite did not appear overnight and you cannot rid yourself of it overnight. The good news is that cellulite can be diminished with proper, challenging consistent exercise and the right diet.
However, you must understand that losing weight is not the key to getting rid of cellulite. In fact, extreme dieting may actually cause your body to hold onto its stores of fat and may worsen the appearance of cellulite.
A low fat diet rich in proteins, essential fats (limit your saturated fat intake) and complex carbohydrates will do wonders for reducing your stores of cellulite as long as you combine your diet with your challenging exercise program (most women have cellulite problems that surface below the waist so developing a program that targets the lower body is ideal).
Weight-training is key. Cardiovascular work-outs alone…although healthy for your heart and body in other ways is not going to help you lose cellulite. You must increase muscle tone and decrease body fat by incorporating some form of strength training into your workout routines.
Weight-training will definitely help to re-shape and tone up your muscle tissue in areas you want to firm up.
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