how to get rid of cellulite

Everyone knows what cellulite is, but what is cellulite?  Cellulite is simply an almost totally “female” phenomenon that occurs when the fat that we all have just under the skin, pulls away from the connective tissue that it attaches to (see the picture below in relationship to the FASCIA).  The result is the dimpled or ‘orange peel‘ or ‘cottage cheese‘ look that is so common in the female population. 

One of the questions that I am asked over and over and over again by my female patients whether or not our SCAR TISSUE REMODELING treatments will get rid of cellulite. Unfortunately, they won’t.  But before I tell you what you can do to dramatically reduce the appearance of cellulite on your butt, thighs, and abdomen, lets talk about a few of the things that seem to cause it.

Firstly, you must realize that the number one cause of cellulite is simply being born female (about 90% of women have cellulite).  Yeah; I know —- just one more thing you gals have to put up with.  By the way; isn’t it interesting how every picture touting the latest “Get Rid of Your Cellulite Today!” article in Cosmo, Redbook, or Women’s Fitness is of a model who probably does not even know what cellulite is? 

Secondly, when one starts looking for the causes of cellulite, the first thing you’ll notice is that many of these are extremely vague.  Some that I found included things like “changes in metabolism and physiology“, “hormonal or genetic factors“, or “changes in circulation or the extracellular matrix“.  What I did find interesting is that two of the factors I saw on various lists were INFLAMMATION (why not?  It causes just about everything else.) and “alterations of the connective tissues“.  Another common alteration of Connective Tissue has to do with the MICROSCOPIC SCARRING that is so epidemic in people dealing with various CHRONIC PAIN SYNDROMES.

The real question on everyone’s mind though, is how to get rid of it —- or at the very least; how does one halt it’s progression and enhance its appearance?

Just remember that getting rid of or reducing the dimpled appearance of your cellulite is not rocket science.  There are some simple, straight-forward steps that you’ll need to follow.  Just be aware that if you are looking for a program to get you ready for that beach vacation you are taking in three weeks, this is not it.  This simple program is something that you should be making an effort to follow permanently.  In other words, it’s a great lifestyle!

• FORGET ALL THE GIMMICKS:  The truth is that all of the expensive pills, potions, lotions, procedures, LASERS, endermologie, cellulite massages, supplements, and who-knows-what-else, are not going to help you for any real length of time as far as your cellulite is concerned.  I am not arguing that they might not help with the appearance for awhile, but like I said, any long-term results are probably a pipe dream with these methods.  I am asked almost incessantly about the FB from AB Guru (HERE).  While I think it’s great and certainly appears to have helped a lot of people (it’s certainly not anything new), it’s another example of a product that is probably overstating what it can do on a number of levels. 

• CHANGE YOUR DIET:  It’s not a secret that heavier women tend to have the most cellulite. If you are interested in LOSING WEIGHT, don’t go on a crash diet.  Eat a PALEO DIET, based on WHOLE FOODS.   As a female, you’ll need to step up to the plate and address your HORMONE DISRUPTORS as well.

• CONTROL INFLAMMATION:  The cool thing is that by following the advice in the previous bullet point, you automatically help your case concerning this one!  If you don’t really understand what INFLAMMATION is, it would be in your best interest to take the 5 minutes it will take to read this link as it contains the link to Dr. David Seaman’s Anti-Inflammatory Diet article (HERE).  Bear in mind, however, that inflammation always leads to some degree of Scar Tissue (HERE).

• ENGAGE IN RESISTANCE TRAINING:  I once knew a woman who, even though she was quite thin, had a real issue developing cellulite in all the places that women typically develop cellulite.  As crazy as it sounds, she was exercising way too much —- THE WRONG WAY, and actually creating a problem with something known as MONW.  When she started lifting weights, the results were rapid and very noticeable.  To understand this phenomenon better, visit THIS POST.