Cellulite: It's a nine-letter word that's almost unspeakable to most women. While men can have cellulite too, their bodies typically have less fat, especially on the thigh and buttocks areas, so it affects women the most. Cellulite happens when the collagen fibers in the skin stretch, pull tight or break down and fat cells bulge out, creating the dimpled effect that many of us fear and loathe. But an important thing to know about cellulite is that it isn't related to how much you weigh – it's more closely related to genetics, diet, lifestyle and hormone changes. Here are some things you can do to possibly avoid cellulite:
- Stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle with you at all times, because dehydration is bad for the cells, skin and other parts of the body.
- Avoid smoking.
- Eat plenty of fiber, veggies and fruits, and stay away from yo-yo dieting.
- Exercise frequently, especially if you have a sedentary job.
Cellulite-free cardio workout
Today, many of our jobs involve sitting in an office chair for eight hours per day. This is not good for circulation and could contribute to the development of cellulite. Thus, exercise is very important. Here's a quick cellulite-busting cardio routine:
- Romanian dead lifts, 10 repetitions: Grab some weights and, standing with your feet hip-width apart and slightly bent knees, hold the weights with your palms facing your body and slowly bend forward. Push your glutes out behind you, then tighten them and stand.
- Squat press with twist, five sets, two times each: With your feet hip-width apart and your weight lifted up by your shoulders with palms facing forward, do a squat. When you rise up, stretch your arms straight up and twist your torso to the right. Then do a set to the left.
- Around-the-clock lunges, three sets of 15: These lunges will work your hamstrings, quads, thighs and glutes – all of the areas most prone to cellulite formation. Put your hands on your hips and lunge forward – the 12 o'clock position. Then return to your standing position, before lunging to the right for 3 o'clock. Continue by lunging back to the 6 o'clock position and then to the side for 9 o'clock. Then switch to the left leg.
- Standing calf raises, 10 repetitions: Stand on a step with your heels hanging over the edge. Lift up onto the balls of your feet and hold the position for two counts before lowering your feet until your heels are just below the step. For an extra challenge, stand on one leg at time.
