Cellulite

by Valerie Gladstone — November 26, 2007

I don't know what bothers women more--wrinkles or cellulite--but I do know they can become a preoccupation. Neither are going to disappear with a cream, so skip the products and try combing a few good eating and exercise habits with reducing your stress and going for occasional massages and spa treatments. Not only will you look better, you'll feel much better.

What Will Help

• Detoxifying diet--This means lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods. It also means eliminating coffee, soda, smoking, and alcohol. A low-fat diet, high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, is important because these foods are easiest for the body to break down, use, and get rid of. Sugar, starch, salt, spices, and animal fats are harder for the body to eliminate. A low-fat diet reduces toxins and assists in getting rid of the toxins trapped in the tissue.
• Water--Drink plenty of water--up to two liters a day--to assist your body in getting rid of unwanted toxins and waste.
• Exercise--Exercise is extremely important in aiding proper circulation. It firms muscles and the tissue surrounding the muscles.
• Massage--Massage not only pampers, it also assists in fighting and preventing cellulite, and restores the body's natural tendencies by manipulating the muscles and stimulating the circulatory and lymphatic systems that break down fatty tissue. Massage targets areas that are difficult to stimulate with exercise (such as the inner knee and upper thigh areas). Try simply massaging each leg in circular movements, kneading the flesh as you go, for a couple of minutes each day to break down fat and get rid of toxins.
• Skin brushing--Use a massage brush or glove for a couple of minutes every day. Start at the feet, brushing the skin in an upward movement. Doing this daily before your shower helps revitalize and improve the skin's appearance.
• Reduce tension--Tension not only stresses the muscles, it also causes the connective tissue that covers the muscles to seize up. It blocks the tissue, preventing good waste elimination. Relaxation and breathing help the body relax and work properly. Proper breathing eases tension, oxygenates the body, and helps with purification.