Vegetarian Weight LossHow to Get Rid of Cellulite for Vegetarians
Does obesity give rise to cellulite? Will losing weight get rid of cellulite? Well, not exactly. But having too much fat does aggravate your cellulite problem. I'll show you why in a while.
Cellulite occurs to both men and women. What's upsetting is that cellulite affects women more than men. And 9 out of 10 women face this problem, regardless of whether they're skinny, thin, lean, plump, fat or obese. Oh, vegetarians can't escape too.
So, what exactly is cellulite?
We refer cellulite as the lumpy and rippled or commonly described as "orange peel" appearance found on your thighs, buttocks, abdomen and stomach.
A slim lady having cellulite on her thighs and buttocks. I'm sure she can't wait to remove that ugly cellulite!
This dimpling appearance comes from pockets of fat stored in the fibrous, connective tissue just beneath the skin. Think of it as a honeycomb where little globules of fat are stored in panels. When you got too much fat in each panel, they'll bulge and push against the skin, thereby giving the "cottage cheese" appearance.
Interestingly, this fat is no different from the fat found elsewhere in your body such as your facial fat. It's the way in which connective tissue, fat, blood flows and lymphatic drainage are intertwined to thicken and harden under the skin in the affected areas that give rise to cellulite.
Understanding how it forms helps you prevent, if not reduce cellulite better, so let's go take a look now.
How Cellulite Forms
Although it happens to both men and women, the fat structure in women differs from that in men, which makes it hard for women to get rid of cellulite.
For women, the connective tissue structure is arranged into large upright cubicles to hold the fat. When poor lymphatic circulation takes place, toxic wastes and fluid will accumulate within the fat tissues, which cause these fat cubicles to become swollen and start to push up against the skin, forming cellulite appearance.
When fat tissue expands due to increasing in size of fat cells together with the accumulation of toxic wastes and fluid, it pushes up against the skin while the fibrous cords (collagen bonds) hold down the push-up causing fibrous tension. This opposite reaction results in dimpling on the surface of outer skin - forming cellulite.
Skin anatomy of men
In men, these fat cubicles are arranged in cross-linked structure (see right) that actually limits the quantity of fat stored, hold the fat in better and store them deeper under the skin. Also, men have thicker skin as better cover-ups and generally, their hormones behave less erratically than women.
That's why you seldom hear men complaining and seeking solutions to get rid of cellulite.
Women often suffer dramatic change in hormones during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. During these periods, an imbalance in hormone estrogen can cause loss of collagen that keeps firmness, strength and healthy circulation of nutrients in connective tissues.
When your connective tissues weaken, you cannot prevent the fat from bulging up into the skin to form cellulite. Aging adds to cellulite problem because collagen loss is inevitable with age.
As your skin sags and blood circulation around fat tissues deteriorates, of course your cellulite becomes more obvious (hence, less easier to get rid of), even without pinching the skin.
Besides gender, age and poor circulation, your genes, the amount of fat on your body, poor food choices and thickness of your skin also play a part in your cellulite formation.
Of course, if you don't get a grip on your fat-laden diet which will create more fats to be stored in your fat tissues, they will swell even more. Excess fat will also worsen your poor lymphatic circulation resulting in more wastes and toxin remain trapped in the fat pouches and damage the tissues further, thereby aggravating cellulite appearance.
Now you know why most overweight women have more visible cellulite appearance than lean ones.
Does that mean you don't have cellulite if your skin looks smooth? Nah, try pinching the skin on the affected areas to see if it dimples.
As a result of all those factors above, many experts admit that it's difficult to get rid of cellulite 100%, not to mention the difficulty to exercise those areas like thighs and buttocks.
However, all is not lost. Although there's no 100% cure for cellulite removal, you can reduce the overall cellulite appearance by changing to a healthier lifestyle. Among the factors mentioned, you can take steps to improve your poor blood circulation, lose fat and choose healthier foods.
Sadly, many women want fast track solutions. They believe in products and so-called experts that claim to help them get rid of the ugly cellulite, but do those cellulite removal treatments really work? Let's go take a look now.
Can Anti-Cellulite Creams and Lotions Remove Your Cellulite Appearance?
Advertisements claim that such creams and lotions are able to get rid of cellulite by melting away fats, improving circulation, and removing toxins because of the herbal extracts, caffeine, aminophylline and vitamins in them.
Though this is the easiest and cheapest method, no evidence thus far shows they give permanent results. At best they can only reduce your water retention and tone your skin temporarily since they contain diuretic and firming ingredients.
The improved skin appearance works as long as you apply the products. Once you stop using them, the effects stop too and your cellulite will make its appearance again. And beware, some creams may even cause skin allergy reactions.
What about Cellulite Pills? Are They More Effective in Getting Rid of Cellulite?
Like creams, many pills containing caffeine, vitamins, herbal or plant extracts claimed to be the removal agents for cellulite. Even if they do stimulate metabolism, they cannot be that powerful to break down fat in specific areas.
Again, no evidence supports their effectiveness. (If you ever used it, you should know.) Instead, overdose of such pills may lead to malfunction of your organs, and in some serious cases, death.
So, Is Body Wrapping Better in Reducing Cellulite?
May or may not use with creams or lotions, this approach uses a skin wrap (e.g. transparent film sheet) to wrap the cellulite areas tightly for a period of time. It claims to "melt" those fats by applying pressure and heat on the affected areas. But again, no scientific proof yet, though people do get some slight temporary result.
Liposuction - Surgery to Suck Your Fat Out and Rid Cellulite, But How Cool is it?
Liposuction is said to be effective in removal of fat at deeper level and body contouring using surgical procedures.
However, the fat in cellulite is very superficial and distributed in small fibrous septa compartments. It cannot be easily removed by liposuction.
In fact, by removing the deeper fat cushion beneath the fibrous septa compartments, cellulite may get worse. By the way, liposuction can lead to malfunction of metabolism and quite a number of deaths occurred upon liposuction.
Mesotherapy - Let's See if Drug Injection can Get Rid of Your Cellulite Problem
This approach involves injecting medications and / or plant extracts into layers of fats which will stimulate the metabolism of fat cells and accelerate their elimination.
Though this treatment is gaining popularity, there is actually very little data on efficacy and safety.
The formulation used in injections has not been standardized and some clinics or weight management centers are not licensed to perform such injections.
Thus, it comes no surprise that allergic or irritant reactions and infections have been consistently reported with mesotherapy.
Massage Therapy - A Drug-Free Treatment to Reducing Cellulite, But Can You Afford?
Lymphatic drainage massages serve to boost your circulation and reduce your fluid retention, especially in areas prone to cellulite. They do reduce your cellulite to some extent but only temporary.
Usually, such massage treatment requires you to sign up for 10 to 20 intensive sessions, followed by maintenance sessions once or twice a month. The effect will soon fade off without the maintenance sessions.
Endermologie is one such massage treatment that makes use of electrical rollers to massage your affected areas. During these sessions, they'll use high-tech equipment, sometimes coupled with infra-red or RF (radio frequency) energy to massage on the affected areas so as to speed up the burning of fats and improving the elasticity of fibrous septa and fat.
Cellulite will only improve after multiple treatments and if you want to maintain its improved appearance, you must keep spending money on ongoing treatments.
Verdict on Cellulite Removal
Think about this, ladies, if any of the methods above really works 100%, would cellulite still be the hardest "FAT" problem to deal with?
In fact, women who successfully lose a lot of weight through fad diets still carry cellulite because the underlying fat tissues aren't likely to change if your lymphatic circulation still malfunctions. (Still remember earlier on I showed you a slim lady with her thighs full of the ugly cellulite?)
Fad diets often result in extreme weight loss within a short time without caring for your lymphatic drainage system or allowing time for your skin to retract.
Since we attribute poor lymphatic circulation to inactivity and unhealthy diet, switching to a low-fat, high-fiber vegetarian diet and regular exercises can greatly improve your cellulite problem.
How a Balanced Vegetarian Diet Helps You Get Rid of Cellulite
A healthy, balanced vegetarian diet includes loads of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains eaten in their wholesome, unrefined form to provide optimal essential nutrients in improving your lymphatic drainage system.
Try adopting these changes in your diet too:
Cut out those fast foods (vegetarian burger, fries etc) and foods or drinks (cakes, pastries, cookies, coke) made from refined carbohydrates like white flour and sugar.
Avoid sprinkling more salt and sugar onto your foods.
Reduce consumption of additives-laden (like preservatives, flavorings, colorings) processed foods.
Drink sufficient water each day. Adequate supply of water can stimulate metabolism and help you burn fat. But don't drink too much as you can get water poisoning when your body's electrolyte level become imbalance. Observe your urine color. When it turns pale yellow or clear, it shows you got enough water. Otherwise, drink more.
Don't overdose on alcohol. Best - remove it totally. You won't die without alcohol, will you?
Don't smoke. Smoking will make your cellulite appear worse due to the toxic chemicals inside your body damaging your normal blood circulation.
Ensure enough quality sleep.
On top of that, these fruits and vegetables contain powerful substances to combat cellulite. Try blending them into smoothies (40% veggies: 60% fruits) for the delicious taste while ensuring adequate intake.
Blueberries - Burst with antioxidants, they help prevent tissue damage.
Oranges - Contain lecithin that strengthens skin layer.
Watermelon and grapefruit - Great diuretic agents to fight water retention.
Celery and asparagus - Carry diuretic properties too and they get rid of bloating.
Lentils, kidney beans and mung beans - Cook them well to provide abundant fiber which is said to reduce inflammation and hence, swelling of connective tissues.
Spinach - Dark green leafy vegetables help to fight free radical damage like fat build-up in the affected areas. (Do you like eating vegetables? You probably don't like, but for your own good, start including it in your meal plans today.)
Onions - Help you prevent water retention in skin cells.
How to Get Rid of Cellulite Naturally with Exercising
Getting the right type of exercises lower your overall body fat percentage or weight and at the same time build up your tone and muscle. In other words, exercises help to improve blood circulation and make your skin look firmer (i.e. cellulite becomes less apparent).
Engage in some high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for more effective and long-lasting fat burning effect. You don't need to do these interval workouts every day - just prepare for a 30-minute workout for 3 times a week.
That leaves you time for the rest of the week to participate in other cardio exercises like jogging, cycling, swimming, dancing or brisk walking.
Of course, try to keep as active as possible in your daily routine such as:
Taking the stairs instead of elevators / escalators.
Going out for lunch instead of lunch-in.
Taking a longer route back to your office after lunch on purpose.
Going to the gym or yoga session during lunch.
Walking to your destination instead of taking transport when distance is short.
Using the bridge instead of pelican / zebra crossing to cross the road.
You should try out yoga too because it aligns your body and mind into one, thereby improving your body's flexibility and helps you relax even under the most stressful conditions.
Bear in mind that your mind controls your body so having an energized mind greatly boost your lymphatic drainage system. And you could lose a few pounds from yoga practices too.
Women always have a way to conceal cellulite with cosmetic, especially if they want to wear their favorite bikini or that little dress. So they think of applying a self-tanning product like a spray tan because cellulite tends to be less noticeable on darker skin.
So why not get a natural tan directly by sun tanning for a few hours? Oh no, that won't work. On the contrary, radiation from the sun causes collagen in the skin to stretch and change and can magnify the cellulite look.
If you keep to a healthy vegetarian diet and regular exercise regimen, you'll soon see dramatic reduction in your cellulite appearance - it'll become smoother and toner.
Get Rid of Your Cellulite with Some Simple Exercises You Can Do in the Comfort of Your Own Home. Watch the Free Video Now!