Cellulite. The very word makes it sound like a terrible disease. In fact it's a fairly normal condition and nearly all women have some, no matter how young or old, fat or thin they are. There was photographic evidence in the papers that even J-Lo has it!

No matter how normal it is to have cellulite, no one actually wants to see those dimply bumps on their own hips and thighs. So appalled are women by the unsightly lumps that they will spend huge amounts of cash getting rid of them.

Creams, lotions and potions, scrubbers and massagers, and even liposuction — you name it and people will try it.

But not even the most expensive products are guaranteed to work. When it comes to cellulite the bottom line is that the amount that you have is, to some extent, determined by your genetic make-up and as a woman, by your hormones.

Fat is stored around your hips and thighs for a reason — it's to protect that area of your body during pregnancy and to act as an energy store when you are breast feeding. Times may have changed and while we are no longer seen as baby machines, our genetics have a bit of catching up to do!

That said, there are some measures you can take to try to tackle cellulite. Cellulite is worsened by poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle and poor circulation. It will help to eliminate toxins by eating more healthily, starting an exercise programme and incorporating some massage into your daily routine. Here's how...

Diet

  • Eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables to provide plenty of vitamins, minerals and fibre

  • Eat wholewheat breads, wholegrain cereals and potatoes

  • Eat fewer processed foods, which can be high in sugar, fat and salt

  • Avoid artificial additives, such as sweeteners and colourings

  • Drink at least 2 litres of water daily

  • Reduce your alcohol intake

Exercise

The best way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to perform toning exercises for your bum, hips and thighs, which will define the muscle underneath the fat layer.

Any aerobic activity (jogging, swimming, stepping, rowing etc) which increases your heart-rate, increases your blood-flow and improves your circulation can benefit the appearance of those problem areas.

Massage

Brushing or massaging the problem areas every day can help stimulate circulation and break down fatty deposits. Although specialist anti-cellulite creams and oils should help, something as simple as baby oil works just as well for massage.

The bottom line — have a go. It does no harm to try to make the most of your appearance. Get active and eat healthily and it's very likely that you will see your cellulite decrease.

Ronald Abvajee is founder of My Personal Trainer Wellness, South Africa's first 'virtual gym'.


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