Is Cellulite Stressing You Out??

One of the greatest travesties of our time is that women often let summer, the most wonderful season of the year in my opinion, be a source of stress. There comes a time when it's refreshing to get out from under your winter sweatpants and into a nice pair of shorts, and that shouldn't be a source of body image stress.

 

Sure, you probably won't lose 10 pounds in the next couple of weeks, but who says you have to. There was after all a time when it was considered a sign of vigor, health, wealth and beauty to have curves and a few extra pounds on the hips. Granted, the last thirty years have demanded a woman look something like a pencil, but, just like bell bottoms and Flower Power, curves will again climb through the ranks as the body type of choice.

 

For me, I've gone through some personal growth in the last three or four years that has left me feeling pretty good about the temple I have been blessed with. I pray that everyone who reads this can have that same joy in the body that has been bestowed to them.

 

Nevertheless, swim suit season does bring to mind a few other body concerns, namely cellulite.

The really dreadful thing about cellulite is that it can strike anyone, regardless of size. Cellulite is caused by the swelling of sub dermal fat cells, which push around the connective tissues that hold the cells together.  Granted, the less fat you have in the thigh area, the less noticeable the cellulite will be, but it can still strike anyone, and the fact that genetics can attribute to cellulite doesn't make me feel any better about the situation.

 

Even so, here are a few things you can do do reduce the appearance of cellulite this summer.

 

First, exercise is your best friend when it comes to cellulite. Doing things to improve the muscles in your thighs, such as walking, cycling, stair climbing, yoga and pilates will stretch the skin and reduce the appearance of dimples.

 

Eat a diet that is low in sodium and high in fiber. Doing a liver and colon detox is another key to reducing cellulite. Make sure to add things to diet that naturally act as a diuretic, such as onions. Increasing your B vitamins and essential fatty acids will also help get rid of cellulite from the inside out.

 

Caffeine is one of the most important ingredients for any topical cellulite treatment. There are now some caffeinated cellulite creams on the market, but a simple coffee ground wrap will also do the trick.

 

    Start with some newspaper on your bathroom floor.Then mix about a quarter-cup of warm used coffee     grounds with a tablespoon or so of olive oil. Stand on the paper and massage the coffee mixture to         cellulite areas using your hands or a loofah mitt. Massage in circular motions. Don’t worry if a lot of         the coffee mixture falls to the floor; enough will stick to your skin to do the trick. Then wrap the area in     saran wrap and allow to remain on for several minutes. Remove the wrap and brush off any excess         coffee mixture. Shower with warm water, and repeat twice a week for best results.

If you're thinking about trying a cream, I hear good things about Revitol but have not personally tried it myself. It's a little pricey, around $30.00, but I hear it's easy to work with and will give good results if you consistently apply it.

Also think about getting a body brush. A good massage with a body brush using circular motions for five to ten minutes will also help rid the thighs of trapped fat cells, making the skin appear smoother.

Here's to a smooth and happy summer!