What is Cellulite and How do I Get Rid of It?

It’s the one kind of dimples that are less than adorable—cellulite. What exactly is it? As we age, we lose elasticity in our skin, which causes the fat cells directly under it to be more visible. As the fat cells push up against surrounding fibrous connective tissue, leading to the “orange peel” appearance of cellulite. As we gain weight, the fat cells tend to bulge more and rise to the surface. Men have cellulite as well, but it is less common and not as obvious, as men tend to have thicker skin.

Although there is still some debate as to why we get cellulite, things like eating foods with excessive amounts of fats, salts and bad carbohydrates can definitely increase your risk of it. Tight clothing, especially pants and underwear restricts blood flow and can encourage cellulite to form.

So what can you do to get rid of those unsightly dimples? Like all fat, it’s never as simple as massaging it or rubbing a high-priced cream on it every night. There is little scientific evidence to validate the claims of many cellulite remedies—except one: diet and exercise.

Remember that a proper exercise regime of weight training and cardio coupled with a healthy balanced diet and nutritional supplements is your best way to get rid of that excess fat, which includes cellulite. There are no magic shortcuts with cellulite—it has to go in the same way the rest of your excess body fat does.