If there's one topic that constantly swirls around the Web and on diet and exercise forums all over the place, it's how to get rid of cellulite.
Many people have searched for the ever-elusive "cellulite cure", or the thing that could at the very least mask or effectively conceal the "cottage cheese thighs" look that is a cause of stress for so many women.
I'm not exactly sure how comforting this next statement will be, but suffice it to say that if you are a female dealing with cellulite, go ahead and count yourself among the 90% of the female population that has some form of cellulite (whether on the thighs, hips, buttocks, or other common problem areas).
Yes, you read it right: Ninety percent of the entire female population has some form of cellulite on some area of their bodies by the time they hit adolescence.
Many people equate cellulite with being overweight, but that is not always the case.
There are fitness enthusiasts with nice figures who have cellulite as well.
It's not so much an issue of weight (although to be fair, cellulite is more commonly found in people who are obese) as it is an issue of how your body handles fat itself.
Cellulite is formed when your fat cells become engorged and begin to place a strain on the connective tissue that surrounds the cells.
Once this strain takes place, the tissue can develop pockets or "dimples" that produce an uneven look on the skin, commonly known as "orange peel skin", or more crudely, "hail damage".
This is the basic environment that establishes a foundation for cellulite to develop.
So what can we do about this? Well, since cellulite is ultimately deposits of fat, a good place to start would be monitoring and regulating the amount of fats that you consume in your diet.
Yes, the old saying is true that "you are what you eat", whether we want to admit this or not.
This includes all of the "usual suspects" such as foods that are heavy in oil content (salad dressings, etc.
), as well as fried foods (probably one of the biggest culprits of all, for more than one reason).
Yes, it will not be easy to give up the fantastic taste and comfort of those types of foods, but you have to decide how much you really want to get rid of cellulite.
Also important is limiting your alcohol consumption, and other forms of empty carbohydrates that get metabolized in your body as sugars, which eventually get stored as fat in your system.
Soft drinks are one of the main culprits in the "empty sugars" category that you'll need to avoid.
Also vitally important is adequate cardiovascular exercise, such as aerobics, jogging, or brisk walking.
This is important to rid the body of toxins and keep your heart healthy as well.
One of the ultimate "fat-shredders" is weight training, and I mean intentional, intense weight training.
Focus your training on the problem areas where cellulite is most apparent, and develop a workout routine to work those specific muscles.
Firm, toned muscles burn fat while even at rest, so it will be healthy for you to build and tone your muscles, and it's a win-win because you'll start looking better in the process.
All in all, it takes more than just some "wonder pill" or quick diet scheme to get rid of cellulite; you will need to commit to a disciplined plan of eating and exercise, and believe me, that's the most difficult part.
But, with enough determination, it can be done!