The Cellulite Industry
When it comes to cellulite there's bad new... and there's worse news. The bad news is there is little that you can do to get rid of cellulite. The worse news is, those cottage cheese thighs will probably only get lumpier as you age.
Most of you will have noticed those 'Stars with cellulite' exposés in gossip magazines, or at least you've noticed the covers while standing in line at the supermarket.
They are truly fascinating and it's hard to look away from a frightening photo of Pamela Anderson in bikinis with her cellulite ridden thighs exposed for all the world to see.
You name the star, and they have most probably appeared in one of these spreads, which to be honest, do leave one feeling a little smug.
Although, before you snicker too much, think about it. If Nicole Kidman, who's net worth is around US$150 million, and whose career hinges on her good looks, suffers from cellulite, do you really think there is a cure for it in the known universe?
There are certain things you should know about cellulite to prevent you falling prey to the barrage of products on the market, all claiming to be a cure. Such ridiculous products include: wraps, creams, zapping it with electric currents and other in-spa treatments, massage creams, pills, even anti-cellulite shoes and jeans, and coffee impregnated tights.
A cross section of a woman's thigh reveals tight fibre bands connecting muscle through the fat to the skin. Where the bands aren't attached, the fat bulges up creating the cellulite rippled look.
Men don't usually have this problem because their fibres criss cross, and the fat can't bulge up as easily.
Cellulite gets worse as we age because, in a nutshell, the connective tissue thickens and the skin thins. The average woman loses 2.2kg of muscle and gains 6.8kg of fat each decade of her life. Fat is softer and bulges more compared to muscle.
US investigative television show, 20/20, tested several anti-cellulite products including a cream, shoes and a $1400 salon treatment. None of them cured the cellulite, in fact, they had no affect whatsoever.
Anyone who tells you they can cure your cellulite will be robbing you blind. As tempting as it is to give them the benefit of the doubt, don't fall for it.
Some products may have a minor and temporary effect, but nothing will 'cure' you of cellulite.
Liposuction can radically reduce the look of cellulite, however, as invasive, costly and risky procedure as this is, it still cannot prevent cellulite from reappearing, so there's hardly any point to it.
To reduce the look of cellulite, you basically have to reduce your fat stores and replace lost muscle tissue.
Exercise and a healthy diet are your best weapons - heard that somewhere before? The benefits of the two are endless.
Walking and squats are of particular value when reducing your cellulite.
Other things you can do include:
1. Watch your diet
2. Eat fresh & natural foods
3. Drink lots of water
4. Reduce your intake of caffeine & alcohol
5. Avoid high fat foods
6. Eat plenty of fibre (fruit & vegetables, wholegrains)
7. Don't smoke
8. Avoid medications which are not necessary for health & well being
9. Exercise
10. Fake tan will minimize the look of your cellulite instantly (a hint from the Baywatch team).
Lastly, buyer beware! If someone tells you a cellulite product is going to be a cure all, look out. There is no doubt something in it for them, namely money. Don't be a sucker. Continue on with your healthy practices and in time, you should notice your cellulite naturally reducing. If it doesn't, take heart, you're just one of the 90% of woman who suffer with orange peel thighs, or as the French more elegantly put it, "l'orange pèle des cuisses".
Most of you will have noticed those 'Stars with cellulite' exposés in gossip magazines, or at least you've noticed the covers while standing in line at the supermarket.
They are truly fascinating and it's hard to look away from a frightening photo of Pamela Anderson in bikinis with her cellulite ridden thighs exposed for all the world to see.
You name the star, and they have most probably appeared in one of these spreads, which to be honest, do leave one feeling a little smug.
Although, before you snicker too much, think about it. If Nicole Kidman, who's net worth is around US$150 million, and whose career hinges on her good looks, suffers from cellulite, do you really think there is a cure for it in the known universe?
There are certain things you should know about cellulite to prevent you falling prey to the barrage of products on the market, all claiming to be a cure. Such ridiculous products include: wraps, creams, zapping it with electric currents and other in-spa treatments, massage creams, pills, even anti-cellulite shoes and jeans, and coffee impregnated tights.
A cross section of a woman's thigh reveals tight fibre bands connecting muscle through the fat to the skin. Where the bands aren't attached, the fat bulges up creating the cellulite rippled look.
Men don't usually have this problem because their fibres criss cross, and the fat can't bulge up as easily.
Cellulite gets worse as we age because, in a nutshell, the connective tissue thickens and the skin thins. The average woman loses 2.2kg of muscle and gains 6.8kg of fat each decade of her life. Fat is softer and bulges more compared to muscle.
US investigative television show, 20/20, tested several anti-cellulite products including a cream, shoes and a $1400 salon treatment. None of them cured the cellulite, in fact, they had no affect whatsoever.
Anyone who tells you they can cure your cellulite will be robbing you blind. As tempting as it is to give them the benefit of the doubt, don't fall for it.
Some products may have a minor and temporary effect, but nothing will 'cure' you of cellulite.
Liposuction can radically reduce the look of cellulite, however, as invasive, costly and risky procedure as this is, it still cannot prevent cellulite from reappearing, so there's hardly any point to it.
To reduce the look of cellulite, you basically have to reduce your fat stores and replace lost muscle tissue.
Exercise and a healthy diet are your best weapons - heard that somewhere before? The benefits of the two are endless.
Walking and squats are of particular value when reducing your cellulite.
Other things you can do include:
1. Watch your diet
2. Eat fresh & natural foods
3. Drink lots of water
4. Reduce your intake of caffeine & alcohol
5. Avoid high fat foods
6. Eat plenty of fibre (fruit & vegetables, wholegrains)
7. Don't smoke
8. Avoid medications which are not necessary for health & well being
9. Exercise
10. Fake tan will minimize the look of your cellulite instantly (a hint from the Baywatch team).
Lastly, buyer beware! If someone tells you a cellulite product is going to be a cure all, look out. There is no doubt something in it for them, namely money. Don't be a sucker. Continue on with your healthy practices and in time, you should notice your cellulite naturally reducing. If it doesn't, take heart, you're just one of the 90% of woman who suffer with orange peel thighs, or as the French more elegantly put it, "l'orange pèle des cuisses".