Emily Skye
5 tips to help reduce the appearance of cellulite
Anyone can get it, and most have at some point in their life. Cellulite is as normal as anything. There is a lot of focus on preventing it or trying to get rid of it, especially among women. It shouldn't be something to worry about as it is so common, yet many of us become obsessed with the idea that it is unsightly, ugly, or means we have an unhealthy amount of body fat.
This is definitely not the case! Women of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels can have cellulite. I know I have it, and I don't care! Cellulite appears around and under my bum, and I won't let it get me down. It is completely normal!
Most of the time it occurs around the hips, thighs and bum and is caused by fat deposits under the skin pushing up towards the surface, creating an uneven or dimpled appearance. The appearance of cellulite is mostly genetic but can be managed by your lifestyle.
Firstly, there are a few things that might affect the appearance of cellulite:
Your metabolism: A slow metabolism increases the amount or severity of cellulite.
- Being physically active: If you are not exercising regularly, your cellulite might be more obvious.
Being dehydrated: If you are not drinking enough water, your skin will become dehydrated, which can make cellulite appear more severe.
High body fat: Although cellulite also occurs in women who are considered ‘thin’, a reduction in total body fat often reduces the appearance of cellulite.
- Aging: With age, our hormones change and also the amount of collagen we produce. This can result in increased appearance of cellulite.
Our bodies are constantly changing, meaning you may experience different levels of cellulite throughout your life – so don’t stress too much about it! Some things we just can't change, like our genetics and our age. However, your lifestyle can have a major effect on the appearance of your cellulite. Incorporating regular exercise and a balanced healthy diet can help to reduce cellulite.
My top 5 tips for reducing the appearance of cellulite
1. Get physical
Being physically active will help reduce the appearance of cellulite by improving your circulation and firming up the skin. As a bonus, incorporating weight training with my FIT workouts will help you build lean muscle definition (rather than cellulite).
2. Reduce your total body fat
Cellulite is made up of fat deposits under your skin, and although this type of fat is not harmful to your health, many women don’t like the look of it. The best way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to reduce the amount of total fat on your body.
3. Hydrate
Hydration is really important for keeping your skin healthy and plump. If you are dehydrated your cellulite might be more visible, so if it bothers you make sure to keep your h20 intake up!
4. Try 'Back to basics' eating
Instead of following the latest fad diet, implement healthy lasting changes to your eating habits. Include vegetables, fruit, fibre, lean protein and healthy fats. I make sure to include plenty of these on all of my meal plans, to keep your body healthy and happy. A good diet rich in nutrients will get your bod working the way it should, promoting the production of collagen and cell regeneration.
5. Dry brushing
This is a technique that hasn't been proven, but many say works for them (including me!) It helps to stimulate lymph flow and improves circulation and blood flow to the surface of the skin. Give it a try and see if you feel the benefits.
Emily Skye
Personal trainer • Founder
Emily Skye is a strength training expert and the face of FIT, the digital fitness app that helps women worldwide build strength and confidence, stay active through pregnancy and rebuild post-pregnancy. Emily holds a Certificate IV in Fitness and Master Trainer qualification from the Australian Institute of Fitness. She is also co-founder of James Cosmetics and a mother of two.
Start your FIT journey with your first 14 days free.
Get results you can see and confidence you can feel with internationally renowned trainer Emily Skye.