How To Get Rid of Cellulite

Anna: A question that has come up time and time again, both for me and for Natalia has been how to get rid of cellulite.  I have cellulite and it used to bother me more when I was in my teens...now I'm more comfortable with the way I look overall so it doesn't bother me as much anymore.  Having said that, I do take certain methods to reduce it which are explained in more detail below.  Most curvy girls have cellulite, but some skinny girls do too (think of Paris Hilton, for example!).  I have used creams and gels in the past to try and get rid of it, but nothing like that really works in my opinion.  It's more important to look at other factors like diet and exercise first because those are the things that will really make a difference!  I don't believe that I could ever completely get rid of my cellulite but I definitely can reduce it and certified nutritionist, Natalia has kindly shared with us all her tip and tricks below!  Hope this helps some of you :)

If you have a nutrition question for Natalia, please leave a comment below.  Your comments won't be published if you use your username to respect your anonymity.  If you would like to book an online appointment with Natalia, please do so through her website, OptimumNutrition4U.com and don't forget to check her out on Facebook and Twitter!

Natalia: Women are like fruits. We are happy to call ourselves pears or apples celebrating our curves, but there is one particular fruity comparison that, if used to describe our appearance, can ruin our day and seriously shake our confidence. The orange, or to be precise, orange peel. Only less than 10% of us can happily say that all they can think of is the sparkling juicy refreshing flavour of it. The rest will picture our bums, thighs and other areas of our bodies covered with some not so adorable dimples. Yes, it’s all about cellulite. So what exactly is it? Here’s my view on the issue of global importance.

Cellulite is not...

…just fat that you can easily shed through diet and exercise

…just fluid retention, which is only a part of the problem and depends on many other factors

…a cosmetic defect. It is a physiological problem that requires a bit more than just slight change in diet or simple exercise

…a medical condition, however treating cellulite is almost like treating an illness and is a complex approach

…just a result of weight gain because even slim women can have cellulite

Cellulite is...

… a condition that can develop over time

…caused by many factors including poor diet, hormone imbalances, sedentary life-style, smoking, medication, aging, stress, genetics and excess weight

… a result of specific fat storage in thighs, legs, arms and hips where collagen fibres resemble a honey comb unlike in other bodily areas where those fibres look like a fine mesh

… an unhealthy tissue in which the microcirculation of both blood and lymph has been disrupted causing structural changes in subcutaneous fat tissue (fat under the skin) and the surrounding matrix of collagen fibres, so eventually fat cells become visible on the skin surface

… partly toxins trapped within fat cells in higher amounts due to poor circulation. The longer these toxins remains in the tissue the more pressure they create within the cells eventually leading to cellular damage. Cells become thicker and firmer, which disrupts the circulation even more.

As bad as it sounds cellulite may be reduced. Probably, not 100%, but if you are serious about getting rid of it, it is quite possible to see dramatic changes.

First of all look at your diet. Cellulite does not like it when you starve yourself hoping that weight loss will help you get rid of the orange peel. It does not like it when your diet is full of junk, either. Remember that every strict or unbalanced diet can lead to a toxic overload in your body, hence, your cellulite will flourish, so your bum will look like a juicy Spanish orange rather than a soft peach. Toxicity is a major contributing factor for cellulite build up. Constipation is one of those things that are primarily responsible for a toxic overload. When you suffer from toxic build up those toxins need to go somewhere and thus some end up in our “problem areas” as cellulite trapped between the connective tissues. Not drinking enough water is also a problem as water is what helps flush out the waste products that we no longer need. Alcohol, tea and coffee, smoking, little or no exercise and fatty foods all aid in cellulite formation. So to fight cellulite you need to loosen the toxic wastes from the tissues, eliminate them from your body and introduce specific foods that will improve the appearance of your skin. So how do you do that?

Your diet should be balanced, which means eating all the clean (ideally, organic) foods from all the food groups including whole grains, lean proteins (lean chicken, turkey, low-fat natural yoghurt and cottage cheese, lean meat, eggs, beans and lentils, tofu), plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and good oils. It’s very important to concentrate on the good oils as these may help your body deal with unwanted fatty deposits. Make sure that you eat plenty of fish, especially, the oily kind (salmon, trout, sardines, mackerel), avocados, nuts and seeds and use extra virgin olive oil as a dressing for your salads. You may also need to take a good multivitamin and mineral supplement, but ask for advice before you pick one.

Eat rye or wholegrain bread and crisp breads as well as brown rice, oats and other grains because these foods are high in fibre, which works like a brush for your system and detoxifies it.

Love your vegetables (green ones and bright coloured ones are your best friends) and fruit (berries, apples, citrus fruit, kiwi, papaya and bananas) because they will maintain healthy digestion, cleanse your body and are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Eat fresh pineapple because it contains bromelain and may be beneficial for fat reduction.

Do not fry your foods – steam it, boil it, roast it – anything but frying will be great.  Avoid saturated fats – these are found in ready meals, fatty meats, full-fat dairy products, cakes and biscuits.  Avoid any foods that contain additives and chemicals – your body is a temple, so why feed it with junk?

Reduce your coffee intake down to 3 cups per day and, God forbid, never ever drink an instant coffee! Only freshly brewed coffee is acceptable. Try to replace some of your coffees with green tea – it is high in antioxidants and lower in caffeine. Herbal teas are also a great choice. You can also replace your coffee with chicory powder, but try a few to pick the right flavour you like as they vary from brand to brand.

Reduce your salt intake. Too much salt in a diet may lead to fluid retention and mess up your blood pressure, which will be really noticeable in those problem areas you are trying to improve. Sugar is also your enemy. Try to avoid it and if you can’t, use some good raw honey as a sweetener, sugar-free fruit spreads (St Dalfour is the best choice) for your toast and, if you crave chocolate, go for dark varieties with 70% of more cocoa solids or raw fruit & nut bars made with cocoa powder.  Reduce alcohol (a glass of red wine from time to time is ok) and avoid soft drinks, but drink plenty of fresh water.

Once you deal with the diet, look at your beauty and fitness routines. They will have to be changed, too. First of all, the diet alone won’t work. Yes, it will give you a healthier body, but you will also need to work physically to reduce those fat cells. You won’t get rid of them, but you can make them much smaller

Make exercise a part of your life. Choose an activity you enjoy and do it several times per week. Ideally, you will need a bit of cardio and a bit of strength training to achieve good results. If you are a newbie when it comes to exercise, hire a personal trainer who will create a programme for you.

Try body brushing to improve circulation and eliminate toxins. Buy a brush made with firm natural bristles. The brush should have a long handle (making it easier to reach all areas of the body) and must always be kept dry. Once a day, preferably first thing in the morning before you take a shower or a bath, sweep the brush over every surface of the body except the face, or any areas of sensitive or delicate skin. It's important to brush in the right direction (always towards the heart) starting with the soles of the feet and working upwards.

Use long, smooth strokes and brush arms, legs and buttocks in an upward direction. Then brush your back and torso in a downward direction and finally sweep across the shoulders. Concentrate on the hips and thighs to really help improve the appearance of cellulite and dimpled skin. It may seem laborious to begin with but it will soon become second nature and is truly invigorating! Start off with gentle strokes but gradually increase the pressure after the first few days or weeks as you get used to the sensation.

You can also try some essential oils, but always consult a qualified aromatherapist if you want to do that.  Yes, it may sound quite complicated and requires changes and will-power, but your prize will be a cellulite-free skin! Isn’t worth an effort?