Cellulite
Cellulite is really the combination of two factors: fat and collagen fibers.
The problem is that this fat and collagen is a little different than the fat and collagen found on a man’s body and even different than fat found on different areas of the female physique.
What Causes Cellulite?
Compared to men, women have collagen fibers in their lower body that run vertically up and down like a picket fence.
This straight up and down distribution of collagen fibers is the major reason females get cellulite and men don’t. (Estimates are 90% of women have some degree of cellulite compared to 10% of men.)
If women have the picket fence distribution of collagen, men have the “chain link fence” distribution. Where women’s fibers run up and down, male fibers crisscross.
This is important because the vertical distribution of female collagen fibers, more prevalent in the female lower body, form a sort of pocket in which fat cells then grow.
As the fat cells grow in size they are essentially packed tightly together by the collagen fibers. Picture a Nerf football stuffed in between links in the fence.
This tight packing of fat inside the “collagen pockets” creates the characteristic puckering and dimpling of cellulite.
The puckering of skin happens when the layer of fat beneath the skin pushes against connective tissue and bulges, causing the characteristic orange-peel or cottage cheese appearance.
For women, the risk of developing cellulite increases with age and peaks near menopause (lucky us!)
These hormonal changes, specifically a decline in estrogen levels, may contribute to changes in circulation and a reduction in the production of collagen.
A combination of fat cells becoming larger or increasing in number, a thinner collagen layer and change in blood supply may lead to cellulite.
So you wonder how come some women have cellulite and others don’t? And how come some overweight women don’t have as much cellulite as some skinny women?
Cellulite is not just an issue of gaining fat or losing fat. It is an issue of doing something to address both fat loss and collagen strength and health.
The reason some women get cellulite and some women don’t has a ton to do with genetics. Some women have collagen fibers that are more like a man’s, and some have extreme versions of the vertical distribution.
So getting rid of cellulite is perfectly possible for some women and far more difficult for others.
However, no matter the genetic luck of the draw, the appearance of cellulite can always be improved upon.
- One of the reasons cellulite can look better some days and worse others is due mainly to fluid distribution shifts.
- During your period is often a time where this is evident. Females have a difficult time losing fat from the lower body due to the unique physiology caused by their female hormones.
How to help rid cellulite:
1. Fat (burn the fat): to get rid of cellulite is to burn the fat.
Maintain a diet with foods that do not cause inflammation.
The Yang & Yin program helps go through these steps with correct workouts to help burn fat, diet that does not cause inflammation plus stretching and foam rolling – all in which helps to rid cellulite.
2. Fibers (remodel the fibers): Strengthen and remodel the fibers.
Work on lymphs through massage.
Use this to help:
Grapefruit Essential Oil
One of the most recognized benefits of grapefruit essential oil and other citrus oils is their positive effect on the lymphatic system.
Using grapefruit oil may help boost the activity of lymph glands, thereby preventing problems like poor circulation and cellulite.
Mix one to two drops of grapefruit essential oil with carrier oil and massage into cellulite in a kneading pattern.
Contact me to order Grapefruit Essential oil
3. Flow (increase blood flow): Increase blood flow to the lower body area means increased ability to move released fat to be burned.
Correct exercise and infrared sauna (hot/cold therapy)
4. Firm (build the muscle): Weight training is the only form of exercise capable of strengthening muscle and tightening the connective tissues of the body and the only effective “cellulite exercises”.
Work with a coach that can help direct you to active glute muscles to ensure strength exercises are done correctly to gain the best benefits.
Many people do not activate glutes in their workouts.
Click for a free 15 minute consult to help get you started on reducing your cellulite.
