I was watching TV the other day and a commercial came on for a lotion and pill that will help you get rid of cellulite.  The part that bothered me was when the small print came on with all the warnings – there were SO many! I know we all like quick solutions – especially to get rid of the cellulite, that we commonly refer to as ‘cottage cheese’, that may plague our bodies, but a quick fix, like a lotion with all sorts of cautions, isn’t going to help us get rid of this wonderful addition to our bodies.

In order to get rid of cellulite on our body we need to first understand what it is and how it comes to appear on our bodies.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite is the collection of fat cells in the body, just below the surface of the skin. These fat cells come together and push against the tissue that is beneath the skin, thus creating dimples in the skin, making it look lumpy – like ‘cottage cheese’ (AWESOME! Please note the sarcasm).

Why do I have Cellulite?

Cellulite affects women of every shape or size – tall, short, overweight, and thin – and usually affects women after puberty. It even affects models, celebrities, athletes, women in their 20s and women in their 50s!

There are several causes of cellulite:

- Genes: If your mother had cellulite then you will most likely have cellulite. Our genes predetermine our body type and how our cells function – thus determining whether or not we have cellulite.

- Diet: Poor diet that consists of too much sugar, too much fatty foods or processed foods can affect how much cellulite you have.

- Water: Water helps flush your body of toxins (that can be produced by a poor diet) – the more water you drink = more toxins getting flushed out of your body = less signs of cellulite.

- Smoking: It’s never been a good thing! It damages tissues in your body thus increasing the sight of cellulite.

- Lifestyle: An un-active lifestyle is not beneficial in more ways than one. How does it affect cellulite production?  If you lack muscle tone you’re the connective tissues in your body will harden thus creating the looks of cellulite, as well as poor circulation and blood flow throughout the body.

How Can I get Rid of Cellulite?

There are a few ways to get rid of cellulite – there is the quick and easy fix – like the commercial I saw on TV for the lotion.  However, what they fail to mention on the commercial is that you still may have signs of cellulite if you are a smoker, you never drink water or you sit and watch TV all day.  The cellulite is just not going to go away because of some lotion.

If you really want to get rid of nasty cellulite then I’m afraid you MAY have to do some work, but honestly – it’s better for you in the long run.

GET RID OF MY COTTAGE CHEESE!

Here are Five Quick Tips to help you Get Rid of those Toxins and start to saying ‘bye bye’ to cellulite.

1. Start drinking more water – they recommend drinking at least eight, eight ounce glasses of water daily, personally don’t stop at that –just keep drinking – this will help flush those toxins out of your body!
2. Eat more vegetables – yes your mother was right – especially the green ones. Green vegetables are full of fiber and goodness for your body.
3. Lunge and Squat, Lunge and Squat – These two exercises (done with or without weights) will help to tighten and tone the muscles in your body and in these trouble areas.  It will also help you lose weight, decreasing the number of fat cells you have, thus decreasing the collection of these fat cells in your trouble spots.
4. Stay away from processed foods and foods with too much sugar – these foods aren’t going to help you lose weight, they are only going to enhance the storage of fat in your body – in ALL the wrong places.
5. Drink Green Tea – Well, it may not have a direct link to losing cellulite, but I’m drinking a cup right now, it’s delicious and it’s GOOD for you! It not only helps prevent cancer, but it can help you lose weight.

Now I feel better, knowing that since you read this you are better prepared to make an informed decision as to how you want to get rid of cellulite. Stay away from the lotion aisle…start lunging away from the computer!

If you still choose the quick fix and it doesn’t work – don’t say I didn’t warn you!