How To Remove Cellulite With Exercise

Cellulite, also called orange peel, cottage cheese and more unappealing names, is a normal skin condition characterized by a dimpling of the skin usually in the thigh, stomach and butt area. Occurring mostly in women, cellulite is caused by fats stored in our skin's subcutaneous layer. They push against the skin and result in lumpy looking folds.

Cellulite happens more commonly than we think. Chances are you may also have it, or you may be having it. However, there's no reason to fret as doctors contend cellulite is actually a normal condition of the body. You make look at it as a disgusting part of your body but there's no reason to buy medications and creams that cost an arm and a leg.

What should I do?

Exercise, that's what you should do!

The root cause of cellulite is the stored fat inside our skin so no amount of creams and medications will ever remove that. You can however reduce the appearance of cellulite by burning the said fat. That is, by following a regular exercise regimen. Exercising regularly reduces the appearance of cellulite because it decreases the fat stored in the subcutaneous tissues inside our skin. Also, regular exercise improves the condition of our skin by maintaining its elasticity. The last thing you would want to have when you have cellulite is an inelastic skin!

Here are some helpful exercise tips you can try to hide those dimples.

Cardiovascular exercises

Well known to increase metabolism, cardiovascular exercises are also proven to be effective in reducing the appearance of cellulite. You also don't need to go to the gym to exercise. You only have to do the following. While all kinds of cardiovascular exercise reduce the appearance of cellulite, there are specific exercises that target the areas of the body which are most prone in developing cellulite such as the thigh and butt area. In these cases, squats and lunges will greatly benefit you.

To do squats, stand with your feet apart. The distance between your feet should be the same as the width of your hip. Pull in your abs tight and then slowly bend your knees, lowering yourself into a squat position. For starters, you can do this exercise against the wall for added support. Do at least two sets of ten squats a day.

To do lunges, stand and step forward with your right foot. Position your right leg far from your left leg until your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Go back to your standing position and do the same for your left leg. Like the squats, do at least two sets of ten lunges in a day.

Walking, running, biking and swimming are also effective cardiovascular exercises that combat cellulite. Experts recommend that we should do at least thirty minutes of exercise each day. We can do those thirty minutes exercise at once or we can also break it down into sessions throughout the day.

Isometric exercises

You may say that 30 minutes of active exercise may not be applicable to your busy lifestyle. Don't lose hope! While cardiovascular exercise requires actual movement of the body to burn fat, isometric exercises on the other hand does the job by contracting and relaxing the muscles, even when you're sitting. You can do this type of exercise anywhere you are because it doesn't require a wide range of motion. Isometric exercises, while not as effective as cardiovascular exercises in increasing metabolism, are good in muscle toning which is important in hiding our cellulite.

The following are some cellulite-busting isometric exercises. Lie down on the floor and place your arms by your sides. Prop up your feet on a chair and then slowly lift your upper body from below your shoulders. Your head, neck and shoulder should remain on the floor. Keeping your abs contracted, slowly lift your leg up and stay in the same position for 10 counts. Lower it and do the same for the other leg.

If you are in a public place and could not afford lying down on the floor, do the standing position. While standing, contract the muscles of your hips and thighs. Don't relax your muscles yet. Hold them in the same position for about 30 counts and breathe evenly. Then, stick your backside out and contract all the muscles above it. Still, hold the muscles in the same position for 30 seconds. You can do this exercise even while waiting for the bus!