Unpleasant topic

[kdibattista]

Cellulite.... YUCK!!!!

I am 26 and although my legs are one of my better features, I am noticing that cellulite is creeping in. I know there is no cure but has anyone had any luck reducing it? If I walk 5 miles 3 times a week... will that help or once you have it, your stuck with it... no matter what??? I am so depressed. Shorts season is right around the corner.

Thanks!!

 

[AWilliams]

Hey Kim,

I've been walking (treadmill and WATP tapes) for the last two months and have definately noticed my legs are firming up. I've also been using that "firming" lotion (I usually put it on before I use the treadmill at the gym.)

Now to find a solution for my arms and tummy!!!!

-Amy

 

[tlgoblue]

I've always heard that cellulite is largely hereditary. From my own experience, I believe that to be true. My Mother has been plagued with it her whole life, and My sister has her build and the cellulite to boot. My maternal grandmother had it as well. I, on the other hand, am built like my paternal grandmother, who never had much to speak of, and neither do I. (though, since I've gained weight, I have noticed it here and there, but it seems to be more responsive to my weight than my mother's or sister's) Even more unpleasant, are stretch marks, which seem to follow the same pattern. I guess I would take a look at your family, and see of there is a pattern. Obviously, the best approach is prevention, but sometimes mother nature gets in the way.

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

 

[anniet]

Walking will reduce the fat, but you can also reduce the appearance of cellulite by building muscle. Holding weights in your hands and doing squats or lunges will build your leg muscles and as the muscle becomes more defined and you lose fat, it will reduce the appearance of cellulite. If you have access to a gym, leg presses are awesome too!

Don't worry about bulking up. I had a personal trainer finally convince me that if I used heavier weights my legs would get leaner not bulkier. I listened to her and while I have not lost any weight on the scale, my legs are slimmer than before I started working out with weights and less dimply.

 

[TigH]

My sister is tall, thin, blessed with a very ample boosom and legs that stretch from here to there. She started to notice some cellulite on her upper thigh, right under her bottom. This was enough to convince her to start power walking with us. In a little over a year of walking about 3 miles a day for 4-5 days a week, the cellulite-like stuff has diminished.

She lives on carbs! Sugary cereals, stir fried rice, mac and cheese from a box, chips, bologna sandwiches. Veggies and fruits are her sworn enemies. She is a size 8 and has been since high school (she turned 33 in November).

I keep telling her if she cut back on the carbs, added some healthy veggies and fruits and eat lean protien that she'd have the rest of the cellulite kicked! But she loves the way she eats now.

Is there a difference between cellulite and fat, or is it all the same? Is cellulite just a high concentration of fat in one specific area?

I know that my arms and belly are fat, and my upper thigh was pretty fat, but the fat on my upper thigh was dimpled and the fat in other areas was not. Since starting WW, the fatty areas have decreased in size and my upper thighs are just jiggly now, not dimply!

Good luck with your battle against cellulite. Weight training is a great way to enhance your figure, so maybe add some squats to your routine like Annie suggested (if your knees are up for it!)

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by TigH
Is there a difference between cellulite and fat, or is it all the same? Is cellulite just a high concentration of fat in one specific area?

I know that my arms and belly are fat, and my upper thigh was pretty fat, but the fat on my upper thigh was dimpled and the fat in other areas was not. Since starting WW, the fatty areas have decreased in size and my upper thighs are just jiggly now, not dimply!

The way I understand it is that cellulite is caused by fat sacs underneath a thinner skin. We always have the same amount of fat "sacs" if you will, however as we accumulate fat these sacs get bigger, but we don't get more of them. The skin around our arms and stomachs is thicker, so you don't notice the sacs so readily, but sometimes when fat accumulates around our thighs and butts the skin is thinner so as the fat sacs increase in size under thin skin, making the sacs more noticeable causing the dimply appearance. Does that make sense? Some people may have large thighs and no cellulite because their skin is just thicker, so the "dimples" are less obvious. This is also the reason that some women who are thin, but may have thin skin too, may still have cellulite.

 

[TigH]

Thanks, Annie! I didn't know that it was the thin/thick skin dealie. Very interesting!!! Do men get cellulite or are they thicker skinned than us ladies, generally?

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by TigH
Do men get cellulite or are they thicker skinned than us ladies, generally?

Good question Karen- I don't know. I'll go on a recon mission and start checking out men's posteriors. It will be purely for research purposes of course!