On how to get rid of cellulite, a blemish so widespread that it affects almost 90% of women, the last word has not yet been written. However, before you rush to point the finger of misfortune and imagine a life where a pair of shorts becomes prohibitively expensive, don’t give up. The good news is that the annoying orange peel can be tackled successfully, if you have the right weapons at your disposal.
No miracle solutions, however. In order to combat cellulite, it is first important to know its causes and to understand that it is a multi-factorial problem involving connective tissue, hormone levels, water retention and microcirculation, and the easy accumulation of fat on the thighs, which is typically female. For all these reasons, the solution can only be multi-factorial.
What really is cellulite?
Cellulite is a degeneration of the connective tissue, especially of the female body, with the underlying fat distributing and pressing against the skin unevenly, creating the hated orange peel texture.
The fibrous connective tissue, made up of bands of collagen and elastin, acts as a link between the skin and the subcutaneous fat, and in women, its restraining capacities are somewhat reduced. In practice, the connective tissue fibres, which in the female body have a vertical shape, lose firmness and allow fat cells to squeeze in between the fibres and press firmly against the skin, thus creating a rippled dermis.
Cellulite: not just one cause, but a combination of factors
You may come to think that cellulite is a matter of body fat, but excess fat is only part of the problem. You can also be thin and still have cellulite. In reality, a woman’s physical structure and hormonal structure are the primary cause of this typically female blemish. Of course, men can also be affected, but to a much lesser extent: only 10% struggle with cellulite.
Bad luck? Alas, it is only biology.
In men, the connective tissue has greater restraining power due to the different arrangement of the fibres. Their skin is thicker and makes the way subcutaneous fat is distributed less obvious.
Not only that. The different hormonal set-up influences the response of fat cells to oestrogen and testosterone, favouring the development of cellulite in women.
The constantly fluctuating hormone levels can cause a weakening of the blood vessels, which leads to inflammation and causes the formation of fibres within the adipose tissue. These fibres form the typical depressions that we notice in cellulite sufferers.
In addition, due to the reproductive function, the female body tends to accumulate more fat in the pelvic area, thus creating an environment more conducive to trapping fat and, therefore, more prone to cellulite.
Whether we like it or not, cellulite is part of being a woman. It is useless to deny it and try to be perfect all the time, because beauty must be real. Even if hated, it is a normal, non-pathological condition. Annoying, certainly, but fortunately it has no health consequences.
So, before you get discouraged or perhaps throw away thousands of euros on treatments of dubious effectiveness, read on to discover the most effective remedies against cellulite.
Remedies for cellulite, where to start?
Since cellulite is related to fat, being overweight can worsen the appearance of cellulite. Undoubtedly, reducing the percentage of fat covering the muscles helps to improve the appearance of the skin.
However, losing weight is not enough. Changing one’s lifestyle is another crucial step in improving cellulite. A healthy diet, besides its beneficial effects on general health, is a valuable ally in the war on cellulite.
Antioxidants and Omega 3 are of great help, as they help break down fat cells and, in addition, strengthen the skin and connective tissue. Foods to favour are linseed, blueberries and salmon. Another powerful ally in the fight against cellulite is chocolate. Cocoa is rich in antioxidants, so don’t forget to always add dark chocolate to your shopping list.
Also, don’t forget a proper water intake. Water is not only a source of well-being, but also a true beauty secret for women. It helps keep the skin elastic and is vital in fighting water retention, a condition that often accompanies cellulite. How much to drink, then? In general, the water requirement is 2-2,5 litres a day, but in special conditions, if you do sport, for example, or in hot weather, the amount should be increased.
In the war against cellulite, certain cosmetic products, such as anti-cellulite creams containing caffeine, are also of great help. Caffeine can improve the orange-peel effect if the product is applied consistently and owes its effectiveness to its power to reduce the volume of fat cells by dehydrating them. To get the best out of a cream containing caffeine, it would be ideal to apply it with a vigorous massage to help the cream penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and, in this way, boost the results.
Another ingredient whose effectiveness has been recognised is retinol. Beware, however: cosmetic products can only improve but not completely eliminate the cellulite problem.
The best exercises against cellulite: TECA Legs&Glutes system
The road to fighting cellulite also passes through the gym, where targeted toning work can help. Most women have cellulite on their thighs and buttocks, so workouts that favour exercises such as squats, lunges, deadlifts and gluteal thrusts are among the most effective.
In order to reduce cellulite on the thighs and buttocks, however, it is not enough to perform these exercises at random, but it is essential to have a training programme where intensity, load progression and variety of stimulus are skilfully combined.
A good method against cellulite is the Legs&Glutes training system developed by TECA. It’s a circuit of five isotonic machines that together form a sequential and progressive multi-stimulation system capable of activating all the muscle bundles of the buttocks and thighs in a deep, intense and targeted manner.
More than a set of machines, Legs&Glutes is a true shock treatment against cellulite. Training on Legs&Glutes, in fact
– improves vascularisation
– reduces fluid retention
– increases lipolysis (utilisation of fat deposits for energy)
– reshapes thighs and buttocks
– improves localised imperfections on the lower limbs.
TECA is your business partner
For more information on Legs&Glutes and all fitness equipment developped by TECA, call us at +39 085 90 33 01, visit our site www.tecafitnss.com, or visit us at our showroom in Italy (Montesilvano, via Vestina 346).
