Even if you don’t technically know what cellulite is or why it develops, you most likely do know what it looks like. Cellulite is a collection of lumps that many say resemble cottage cheese, that form underneath the skin giving it an uneven appearance. Cellulite usually collects around the thighs, stomach, and butt and concern over its mysterious appearance has boosted sales of miracle cure products the world over. Unfortunately it seems most of these products have been declared relatively useless in the fight against cellulite and since many contain harsh and unnatural chemical ingredients they should be avoided anyway.
So what is cellulite? These lumps are actually just collections of fat that push against the connective tissue underneath the skin, which causes the surface of the skin to dimple or pucker.
Imagine one of those mesh produce bags that you can buy at the grocery store that contain apples or oranges. Now imagine that everyone has something similar to this in our bodies called fascia. When the mesh-like fascia is unhealthy it gets tight and creates pockets and dimples. It can also be the reason you have pain and less flexibility and range of motion. Fascia is supposed to be smooth and supple, if yours is not, you have some work to do.
For further reading on fascia I HIGHLY recommend the book The Cellulite Myth: It’s Not Fat, It’s Fascia.
Whatever causes it though, most women would be happy to ban the cellulite for life if they only knew how. The battle against cellulite can not be won with a bottle of cream though. It needs to be fought from the inside of the body out. Here are some natural ways to fight the lumps.
FasciaBlasting – The fasciablaster is a product designed by the author of the above book. She was a celebrity sports trainer who developed the tool so her clients could work on their fascia issues at home. One day the wife of one of these sports stars casually mentioned that she too was using it and that it made all her cellulite go away and the lightbulb went off. Using the fasciablaster manipulates your fascia, brings blood flow and healing to the area, and even lices fat cells. When your fascia becomes smoother and less restricted, the dimples go away.
If you want an oil to facilitate the fascia blasting process try this DIY Cellulite & Fascia Blasting Oil. It has carefully selected essential oils that help fight cellulite.
Exercise and burn fat – Slimming and toning is an important step to getting rid of cellulite. Eliminating excess fat and flushing your body with lots of water to remove toxins will help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Exercise also helps to encourage circulation and lymph flow which will help with the removal of toxic buildup and cellular health. If you are already slim, then concentrate on toning and muscle strength, which will help burn away fatty deposits that even thin skinny people have.
Dry Brushing and Massage – These two practices help improve lymph flow and propel fluid in cellulite affected areas. You need to get the bad stuff mobilized and moving out of the body and as your body becomes congested. Massaging and dry brushing help to get your body systems working more effectively and get rid of the build-up. You can try home massagers (ie the fasciablaster), have your spouse be your personal masseur, and even regular visits to a massage parlor. Dry brushing is usually done in the morning before showering. Just spend 5-10 minutes using a soft bristled brush all over your body, using upward strokes towards the heart. Afterwards you can take a shower to wash off exfoliated skin…another benefit of dry brushing.
Get regular – It is not uncommon for women who have cellulite issues to also have issues with irregular bowels. In general they seem to struggle with releasing waste matter the way they should. Start eating a balanced, organic diet with lots of fiber. Green smoothies in particular are wonderful for regularity. Just add a couple handfuls of spinach or kale and a couple frozen bananas to a blender with a few cups of water and enjoy. I personally swear by Yogi brand Get Regular tea. It works! Many natural living enthusiasts also swear by using Colema boards, which are basically fancy home enema systems. Also drink lots of water and perhaps do a juice fast one weekend a month to help regulate your bowels.
Try these techniques for a few months and marvel at the results. Nothing in a bottle can even come close.
