Cellulite

There has been so much written on this subject, yet, we are still very confused about it. Every day there is an article, a book or a study published discussing cellulite, its causes and possible cures. Opinions on what cellulite is and how to get rid off it vary so widely, one might almost feel it has been brought on us by jealous aliens. And tons and tons of products are being manufactured to help us fight our battle with this modern life female plague. Or to promote the fear of it? I leave this to everyone's personal opinion.

Of course the media and all those manufacturers made us more aware and worried. When you see images of women from the 70s, everyone has cellulite. It did not bother them then but it does bother us now. Well, some of us. I applaud all of my female comrades who do not care if they have some dimples or not. Who can feel goddess-like regardless of it. I do care and I do not like to admit, that there has been a recent unpleasant development on my dimple front. It is not too bad yet, however my thighs are definitely not red carpet-worthy! Take a look at pictures of my behind from about 5 years ago. I was then suffering from what I read was the first stage of cellulite - which means you can  see it well when you squeeze your skin and you can also see one or two very gentle dimples on the surface if light hits you the wrong way. How pathetic of me having to squeeze my skin to deliberately look for imperfections. I wish I could turn back time and keep my behind and thighs from those days.

 


I think back then I fell for the trap of the beauty industry. I bought several courses of the Endermologie treatment. After the initial pain (it feels like you are being pinched by an army of very angry Oompa Loompas for eating all that yummy chocolate) it started to feel like a massage and I was enjoying it. I did notice changes in my body and my skin was feeling smoother.

 

But I was doing a lot of yoga and Pilates then as well. I believe that getting rid of your cellulite is possible with a combination of things and sticking to a regime you create for yourself. I have seen the results but I didn't stick to my routine. I actually completely stopped once I saw the good results and I was happy with the look of my thighs. I thought I got rid of it forever.  However cellulite does come back for you. Once you think you have killed it, it will turn into a ghost that will haunt your dreams. It will whisper into your ears every time you take a bite of that amazing sugar-filled desert. You can listen to it and control yourself or you can ignore it and you will just return back to where you started or even worse. I believe that we can be cellulite-free if we stick to a strict regime. However, I don't like strict regimes and being a slave to certain lifestyle even though it is a good one is scary. I like to enjoy myself. Therefore I intend to eat desserts. I believe I can but I just need to be disciplined about it. I have to respect the ghostly whispers and exercise some self control. Not overindulging and being sensible are the keys.I hope I can get away with it. I will elaborate on this when I explain my diet ideas.

I have read numerous books, magazines, websites, etcetera trying to find the magic cure. Then, a couple of years ago, I just gave up. And even if it was so amazingly blissful to just eat 3 chocolate bars a day, cakes and biscuits and just living, working, resting, thinking, writing and eating all from my couch, it did take its toll.

I am back to square minus one. But with my newly found motivation I am determine to kick cellulite's ass. And my own for that matter.

I can not stick to any single regime, to follow any specific book or study completely. It would make me feel too deprived. So I made up my own ritual. I have been researching this topic for so many years and there is not a study I am not aware of (I think) so I feel well prepared to start the fight.
A couple of weeks ago I bought a book on Amazon written by Dr. Leland Benton:  Getting Rid of Cellulite in 10-Days.

What a positive name! 10 days! Wow! I read through it. I bought the supplements the author suggests (I will write about the supplements separately in the next few days). He describes cellulite like this: It is "an accumulation of fat globules trapped between the muscle and the skin. If allowed to go unchecked, the fat globules may increase in size and compaction and the result: a quasi-armor plating of fat that robs women of their self-esteem and causes untold misery to millions of American women." He also believes that cellulite is not related to excess body fat, it is not caused by eating too much fat, it is not treated by strenuous aerobic exercise, it is not caused by fluid trapped in the tissues, it is not eliminated by vigorous massage or by eating high fiber diets and diuretic foods (cucumbers, celery, grapefruit). According to him, cellulite's main cause is the lack of essential fatty acids in our diet.The best part of his book is this sentence: "Magic pills don't exist but in the case of cellulite they do!" How motivational is this?!

And the most shocking thing I read in his book: "More than two-thirds of all the deaths reported in the United States involves nutrition" (nothing to do with cellulite, I know).

To sum it up, he advises us to:
- take the supplements
- eat wholesome low carbohydrate food
- stay away from processed food and adulterated fats
- eat natural things like nuts, fruits, vegetables
- eat in moderation and only when you are hungry
- exercise moderately- only anaerobic exercises

It is an exciting little book that does not only talk about cellulite, diet, nutrition, vitamins and supplements but also about our psychological aspects, our feelings and their effects on us.

My very first cellulite book was Cellulite Solutions by Helen Foster.  I bought it on Amazon years ago and tried to follow it for about 10 days. By day 10 I was ready to murder someone! I felt too restricted and could not cope with some tasteless food because I was not allowed to use any salt. I could not handle the shopping list and having to have things ready in order to follow the meal plan. I will turn back to this book for the few things I liked in it. I used to do a little yoga routine from this book every morning and it was a great start of the day. I would like to get back to it again. I also liked some recipes. I enjoyed the massages, the dry body brushing before showering and the hot/cold showers and bath massages. I felt invigorated doing these and I will do this little regime again.

I have bought some products that I will try to use regularly from now on and will let you know how it goes.

My cellulite routine will involve:
- supplements
- drinking green tea, detox tea and other healthy brews
- exercises
- eating according to my sensible diet
- doing some yoga in the morning
- dry skin brushing before showering
- performing my own lymphatic drainage massage
- maybe a salon treatment (I am still researching these)
- moisturizing and using cellulite creams and oils
- regular body scrubs and home made spa treatments (body masks, wraps, etc.)

I will elaborate on these in my future posts.

I have 3 weeks before I go on my beach holidays. I hope I will get rid off my cellulite by then.:)