When you think of cellulite, you probably think of ugly ‘orange peel skin' and ‘cottage cheese thighs.' Cellulite is embarrassing, it's depressing, and it's unhealthy. The bad part is you don't even have to be fat to have cellulite. Even thin and slender people suffer from this malady. Regular fat settles in all parts of the body, but cellulite gravitates towards certain areas, like

-Buttocks

-Thighs

-Ankles

-Back and inner areas of upper arms

-Hips

-Stomach

Cellulite is a potential precursor of other health problems like varicose veins and broken blood vessels. A simple test will help detect cellulite. Press the tissue between thumb and finger, or between two palms. If cellulite is present, you will see ugly ‘orange peel' designs on the skin.

Formation of cellulite:

Muscles in our body are covered with a padding of fatty connective tissue. This is surrounded by a liquid, which nourishes and helps remove waste. When all systems work in harmony, waste products that collect in this liquid are removed efficiently. But when waste begins building up in this liquid, it thickens and hardens into pockets. This forms grooves that look like “cottage cheese.”

Certain contributing factors help the buildup of cellulite:

-Lack of exercise

-Constipation and digestion problems

-Insufficient intake of water

-Poor eating habits

-Hormonal cycles

-Pregnancy

Cellulite formation can begin during teenage years. Although cellulite is not hereditary, incorrect eating habits are usually passed down from parents to children.

To regain the smooth contours of your skin, you need to loosen the trapped waste matter and flush these from the body. The connective tissue also has to be loosened and restored to its original elasticity. The best way to do this is through strength training, cardiovascular work, and a healthy diet.

Strength training:

As we age, metabolism slows down, and there is a startling loss of muscle from the body. Simultaneously, fat begins to accumulate. A woman can easily gain 15 pounds of fat per decade. Strength training fights this detrimental muscle loss and limits fat gain. Muscles burn calories, even when the body is at rest. Concentrate on exercises that target your hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, and abductors. Lunging, squatting, leg curls, and leg extensions are effective.

Diet:

If you are on a quest for a lean, smooth, cellulite-free physique, evaluate your eating habits. Eat food rich in fiber. Stay away from white flour, white rice, commercial fruit juices, colas and burgers. Five to six small but balanced meals, rich in lean proteins (fish and chicken) and low-glycemic carbs (oatmeal and yams) are the best. Limit the intake of sodium. Alcohol is a definite NO.

Drink lots of water, as detoxification is an important part of your battle against cellulite. Proper elimination of waste is necessary. Constipation is a major cause of cellulite. Do not use laxatives to remedy this; instead use stool-bulking products. These products are not habit-forming and do not have any side effects. A fiber rich diet aids fast bowel movements.

Massaging the areas that contain cellulite will stimulate circulation. This is particularly good for areas that are hard to be exercised, like the inner areas of the thighs and the upper arms.

Most women and quite a few men detest the splotches made by cellulite on otherwise creamy smooth skin. The process of eliminating cellulite can be slow and sometimes very discouraging. Hard work and optimism are the only mantras here.