Cellulite

Hey guys, I really need some advice.

I have a big problem with cellulite. I am pear shaped, so I store all my body fat in my legs and butt. I have pretty bad cellulite, especially around my thighs and on my butt, but I also have some on my calves.

This really worries me because I have heard from various sources that you can never really get rid of cellulite, and I'm only 21! I can't afford expensive treatments because I'm a college student, and I haven't really tried any creams or anything like that. (I hear that with the creams, as soon as you stop using them the results disappear...)

What are your experiences with this? I'm interested mainly in exercises and natural methods that can get me looking good on the cheap.

Thanks for the help!

From what I understand, cellulite is fat, it's just lumpy fat.  Lose the fat, and you'll lose that too.  No cream or such will help, you just have to lose the fat.

STAIRMASTER and if you can't get to the gym try running/walking intervals. I dont know what you're already doing, but like plaid said you must lose the fat.

I've seen skinny people with it. I work out for two, sometimes three hours a day and I still have it. I just don't look behind me and I pretend it's not there. haha I've got skinny bird arms and I'm starting to see some cellulite forming there as well. It's not bad yet. I believe it's genetic.

yes, EVEN PARIS HILTON HAS CELLULITE! HA!

Lose some more body fat and you'll start to see more muscle rather than fat...cellulite is still genetic as thin people get it too, but you can reduce it by reducing your percentage of body fat.

hey sarvades!

i'm also a pear and i had cellulite all my life - and now it's basicly gone :) and i don't even use those creams. what helped me was  massage. it somehow melted the fat or something..... i know massage is pretty costty and i could never afford it - i did it at home - bought myself a massage belt. put it on every day for 30 min per each tigh for two weeks and i swear i havealmost  no cellulite! now i do it like every other day and it's not coming back. but i dunno....my big big tighs look sort of weird with that smooth skin... :)

I used to have a lot more cellulite than I do now (it does go).  I think toning did it for me.  Mostly just walking.  Like the others say, it's just fat, so losing fat will reduce cellulite.

I've noticed that since I've been doing toning exercises at home, the "cottage cheese" look on the backs of my thighs has reduced.  Try doing some lunges and squats.  Basically (if you know the basic feet patterns in ballet - i used to take ballet) stand in 2nd position with your feet a little more than sholder width apart and squat down keeping your tailbone tucked in and back straight, and hold that position for 10-15 seconds at a time. 

I work in a warehouse and do a continuous inventory count every day I count at least 55 different parts.  I hold that position for each column of shelves I'm checking, once I get down to chest level as it helps keep the parts visible. I also do the lunges while walking from aisle to aisle through the warehouse - luckily - the guys I work with haven't caught me doing this yet, but they're all aware that i'm working out and losing weight, so I don't think they would think anything of it.  (as Long as they don't catch me doing my jumping jacks. I'm full busted so that gets to be quite a site!) LOL

Good luck! :)

Whats wrong with Bum Dimples?

See? Give them a different name, and they sound cute!

:)

Bum dimples! LOL! That's cute, but I can guaranty that they won't be so cute come BIKINI SEASON! LOL!

Bum dimples... (is it the same for thighs?  Thigh dimples?)

i am thin and have cellulite on my thighs/butt. ugh. double ugh. but, i started walking about a month ago, and i think that in combination with dropping a few pounds has dramatically improved the appearance. i'm planning on continuing the walking to see if the problem areas get any better, and try adding some squats/lunges if need be.

i was really surprised at what just walking did for it though. it's pretty depressing not feeling like i can confidently wear a swimsuit, though. i am very white, but i've heard that a tan can help with the appearance. so if i do get roped into wearing a swimsuit this summer i'll probably try some self tanner.

Squats and lunges.  Lots of them, with lots of weight.  The more muscles you can build in your thighs and glutes, the more it helps minimize the appearance of cellulite.  That's my experience, anyway.

Those massage belts are a proven scam. Must have been something else ...

oh, and as for the creams...i don't have any personal experience with them. but they are TREATMENTS not cures. what they do, basically is plump the skin, giving it a smoother appearance. and yes, once you stop using it the results stop.

it certainly is genetic.

i stepped on the scale this morning at 104lbs. I'm 5'2 and i have cellulite on the back of my thighs

as some people previously noted, massage will do it! my sister is a licensed massage therapist. she noted that cellulite is fat with a fault structure, it breaks down in places - hence the lumpy look. when you massage it, it restructures the fat, and cellulite waves goodbye. if you want a massage for cheap - here's a great hint! look up massage schools in your area. massage schools generally have a student practice area, and you can make an appointment for a 1 hour full body massage, technique of your choice, for like 20-25 dollars! (hey, they gotta practice on somebody!)
also, and this is slightly more expensive but feasible on a monthly or bi-monthly bases, you can get a paraffin body wrap, which supposedly has about the same affect as the massage, to smooth out the cellulite and restructure the fat. good luck, i know it can be done!

Hey y'all, here's my life experience and advice for you (original poster, and anyone else who wants it) I've always been pear shaped, well I think anyway, hips slightly larger than shoulder width? I'm 35 and have had major cellulite on butt, hips, and all down back of legs (getting slightly less noticeable further down) since I grew hips and started eating too much, (17?) I worked in a spa 4 years and did massage and wraps, that did NOT last, nor do creams, NOR does just losing fat, ONLY GETTING MUSCLE UNDER THAT SKIN TO PUSH THAT FAT AWAY AND SEE SOMETHING (other than cellulite) I.E; MUSCLE, WILL GET IT GONE FOR GOOD, I SWEAR BY ALL THAT IS HOLY!!!!!! I have been running for two years now, started by only doing run one minute walk 10, run two minutes the next week of running, etc... it's brutal and disciplined but you only need shoes and a road, no gym pass. I don't lift weights and have NO CELLULITE TO SPEAK OF on my bottom, and just enough muscle to still look feminine but cut, I love it and love running but still have to talk myself into it, I only go twice a week now, I made myself go like four days a week for the first year so that I could get past the hurdles of being able to run for at least 10 minutes (I think took 6 months!) and then 20...peace.

dry body brushing is supposed to help.  i noticed a bit of a change on me, but i don't do it regularly enough.  it feels great though, as well, and makes the skin look nicer regardless.

FROM: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cellulite/DS 00891

"Cellulite is caused by fibrous connective cords that connect the skin to the underlying muscle. The cords tether the skin to deeper structures, with the fat lying in between. As the fat cells accumulate, they push up against the skin, while the long, tough cords are pulling down. This creates an uneven surface or dimpling."

Treatments and drugs

Weight loss — through healthy diet and regular exercise — is probably the most beneficial cellulite treatment. Losing pounds and strengthening muscles in your legs, thighs and buttocks can improve the appearance of the dimpled skin. The benefits of weight loss alone are limited, however. Though the cellulite may be less noticeable after weight loss, it won't go away completely.

Perhaps the most promising medical therapy is lasers and radiofrequency systems. Currently, two laser or light devices are available on the market for the safe and effective treatment of cellulite. One system uses combined negative tissue massage, radiofrequency and infrared light to treat cellulite. The other system delivers combined tissue massage with diode laser energy. Both systems offer improvements to cellulite after a series of several twice-weekly treatments. Results are temporary, however, lasting up to six months.

Many devices, products and creams claim to treat cellulite. But there is little or no scientific evidence to support these claims. If you do find a cellulite treatment that improves your skin, the results aren't likely to last long term.

The following are a few of the many advertised cellulite treatments. Keep in mind that these treatments haven't been proved effective in removing cellulite.

• Liposuction. During liposuction, a surgeon inserts a narrow tube under your skin through tiny incisions, and then suctions out fat cells. Though liposuction can shape the body, it won't remove cellulite, and it may make the cellulite appear worse.
• Vigorous massage. Some cellulite treatments are based on the concept that vigorous massage will increase blood flow, remove toxins and reduce excess fluid in cellulite-prone areas. One method in particular, Endermologie, uses a hand-held machine to knead the skin between rollers. You may notice a slight improvement to your skin after this treatment, but the results are typically short-lived.
• Cellulite creams. Creams that contain a variety of ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts and antioxidants, are often marketed as the cure for cellulite. But no studies show that these creams offer any improvement. And in some cases, the ingredients in these products cause skin reactions or rashes.

 

 

I agree with the fact you have to gain muscle and lose fat, but I have also tried the Nivea cellulite products and they do help! When you apple the gel you really have to massage it in and your legs will appear smoother.  Also, if you ever watch the Tyra Banks show they did a 30 day challenge and everyone who used it had improvement, even the girls with thicker thighs.