The Truth About Cellulite
Do you have cellulite?
Before I reveal some truths, I think it’s important for you to know that cellulite is NORMAL and common. Even little babies and small children have cellulite. In fact, there’s no real difference between cellulite fat and regular fat. So this means that any cellulite sponges or creams you may have tried or seen advertised which claim to ‘dissolve’ cellulite are generally pretty ineffective. Let’s find out why.
Beyond skin deep
Cellulite is more than just a cosmetic issue. So the first thing you need to know is that cellulite treatment has nothing to do with external skin solutions and everything to do with the muscle quality underneath.
Cellulite is actually a result of muscle atrophy due to the lack of physical activity. This muscular wasting causes the subcutaneous layer of muscle underneath the skin to become weak and undefined. As a result, it separates from the skin and makes our fatty deposits visible. Because the skin on top no longer has support in the form of muscle, the bumpy fat below shows up in the form of cellulite.
Cellulite is most present and visible in the areas of our body that naturally have the thickest layers of subcutaneous fat. For us women, that means our butt and thighs. Also, cellulite has the natural tendency to build up in areas that get the least blood flow and movement – thank you sedentary 9-to-5 job!
How gender and hormones play a key role
While cellulite can develop in both men and women, it’s a lot more common among females. In fact, more than 80% of women get cellulite at some point in their lives. This is most likely due to the different distribution of muscle, fat, and connective tissue in both sexes. Hormones play a huge role as well.
Oestrogen, for instance, can cause existing fat cells to increase in size, which of course makes cellulite more obvious. This observation does hold some weight since cellulite can first develop after a young girl hits puberty. On the other hand, decreasing oestrogen production at the onset of perimenopause also results in some women 'holding onto' their fat stores to keep their oestrogen levels optimal. Hence the higher occurrence of cellulite as women approach midlife.
Low oestrogen also affects blood vessels, meaning less circulation and a related decrease in collagen production which results in even more pronounced lumping of dimpled fat. Thankfully, Happy Hormones can help you attain hormone balance and decrease your chances of developing cellulite!
Love your body (and yourself)
Something we clearly need to state – we’re not telling you to simply rely on supplements or formulas to avoid getting cellulite. The stark reality is that our only true saviour is a combination of healthy nutrition, adequate hydration, proper circulation and good MUSCLE QUALITY via exercise. Sadly, these practices cannot completely overcome a genetic predisposition to cellulite, as even the slimmest of women don't escape it! But good quality muscle is firm and in turn, helps your skin look tauter and toned.
You might also find that dry body brushing, infrared saunas and cellulite suction caps improve blood flow and circulation to areas most prone to fat buildup.
All this being said, the most important thing is to stay healthy. Above all, EMBRACE and LOVE your body however it is. So dress those curves, find wardrobe pieces that flatter your specific shape, or throw a bikini on with utmost pride!
BLOCKS to losing weight
Reducing overall weight will also reduce the appearance of cellulite. Easier said than done though, right? Here at Happy Healthy You, our approach to weight loss is a holistic one. Looking deep into the reasons why you've gained weight, to begin with, and why it's not coming off is critical to long term weight management.
Some of the common BLOCKS to losing weight are:
- Hormonal imbalance
- Poor liver function
- Reduced digestive capacity
- Thyroid sluggishness
- Poor sleep
- Imbalanced blood sugar levels
- Medications
- Stress
- Incorrect diet and/or exercise intensity
Our practitioner team can help you understand your individual blocks to weight loss. However, a good way to start is by taking our online women's health assessment to determine which of these issues are more common in your case. The assessment is FREE and you will receive a comprehensive report. Simply click this link.
For further information, please read this article on BLOCKS to Losing Weight.
