Hi there ladies!
As women we are unfairly cursed with having more problems with cellulite than men. Jerks! lol (jokes)
There are a few reasons for this. First off don't believe all the BS posts and articles saying you can beat cellulite with their glute exercises and magical creams. Creams give a temporary fix. Keep reading to find out why.
Cellulite is the combination of two things, fat and collagen. The problem is that this fat and collagen is a little different than the fat and collagen found on a man’s body and even different than fat found on different areas of the female body.
Unlike men, women have collagen fibers in their lower body that run vertically up and down like a picket fence. This straight up and down distribution of collagen fibers is the major reason females get cellulite and men don’t.
This is important because the vertical collagen fiber in females, more so in the female lower body, form a pocket where fat cells grow (see the picture). As the fat cells grow in size they are packed tightly together by the collagen fibers. This packing of fat inside the “collagen pockets” creates the puckering and dimpling.
Women have about 9 times more alpha-adrenergic receptors associated to their fat tissue compared to beta-adrenergic receptors. Adrenergic receptors are bound by the body’s fat burning hormones – catecholamines. When these fat burning hormones interact with beta-receptors, fat is released from fat cells. When they bind to alpha-receptors, fat release is slowed down drastically.
Ok ok I know, you just want to know how to get rid of it. The truth is it's hard! It takes time and patience and definitely doesn't include dieting drastically.
Most women have cellulite because of genetics. Great news is you can reduce the appearance of it. Part of the reason it can look worse at times is fat holds toxins. So if you aren't following healthy practices consistently, it will be hard to reduce the appearance.
Here are a few ways to help reduce the look of cellulite:
Get rid of processed and chemical laden foods. Kick sugar and reduce "white" carbs. Controlling the intake of carbs is important but most importantly is the kind you eat. We need carbs but we don't need as much as we think. Moderate amounts plus veggies is key to reducing the appearance of cellulite. Carbs when too high or eaten without protein and fat, raised blood sugar which stimulates the production of insulin. If you constantly eating carbs that create a huge insulin response it's not going to help with weight-loss or cellulite. So finding a program that keeps blood sugar levels stable is key! Remember fad diets can affect blood sugar poorly whether carbs are too LOW or too HIGH. So you need a system that gives you the right balance of carbs, fat and protein.
Improving blood circulation. Fat is hypoxic (deprived of oxygen). Fat unlike muscle, does not have blood vessels. This is why having more muscle makes you more metabolic active and creates better blood circulation. This being said, you need more circulation in the areas that carry the most fat. Yes moving creates blood circulation every where but targeting an area can help. Increased blood flow to the area means increased release or fat to be burned. Increased blood flow also helps the removal of fluid from the area and essential for the health and strength of the collagen fibers. Other things like hot baths & sauna plus contrast hydrotherapy (alternating hot and cold applications) improve circulation. These are surprisingly effective, at least in the short term appearance of cellulite. This is the thing, you have to be consistent in this. We don't all have access to hot tubs and saunas but a hot bath with epsom salts daily would help. This is why creams do work but only temporary. They improve circulation. But remember these creams only give a temporary solution and can cause other toxic responses in the body depending on the ingredients.
This is controversial but remodeling the collagen fibers has some effect on the appearance of cellulite. Deep tissue massage and self-myofascial release (foam rolling) are great ways to do this. Most of us can't get massages every day but we can roll every day. Rolling is like anything else, you need to know how to do it properly in order for it to be effective.
BUILD MUSCLE! Remember what I said about muscle being more metabolic active? If you have more cellulite in your legs and butt, then building muscle in that area will create more blood flow, more blood helps with the release of fat and that means less fat in your legs.
So the bottom line..... YOU NEED TO FIND A SYSTEM that gives you all of the following:
a nutrition plan that focuses on improving insulin response, balancing hormones so you aren't sitting in estrogen dominance and gives you the right combination of macronutrients for your unique body type.
a movement plan that focuses on your personal needs and allows you to enjoy it so you never want to stop. Plus adds muscle but gives you a healthy, fit and feminine look.
can give you the right supplements to help with the bodies alpha receptors so you can more effectively burn fat.
helps you love your body enough to have more patience and treat your body like a relationship to heal.
Lucky for you all my programs offer this and more! If you want to find out more click here to book a call and I can show you how I can help!
To your health,
Carmen
