People who are concerned about their weight usually look to surgery as an option for one major reason. It is the quickest way that they can get rid of that unsightly fat with the least amount of effort necessary. It is no wonder that liposuction surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States as there is a massive problem with obesity among its population.
The problem with surgery is that although it does remove the fat, it doesn’t do anything for the extra skin, dimples, and other noticeable conditions related to the skin. Surgery is not effective when it comes to these issues including that of cellulite, so you should try to get rid of it through lifestyle changes.
What is Cellulite and is it Dangerous?
Cellulite is the appearance of divots or lumps on the skin that develops in many people as the result of age. As we age some of our connective tissue deteriorates, which causes this uneven distribution of fat deposits under the skin, giving it this distinctive appearance.
Outside of looking unattractive, there are no health problems with having cellulite in itself so if you have some there is no cause for alarm. However if you are still interested in getting rid of it there are a few ways you can go about doing so without having to resort to surgery.
Like with many other issues involving our adipose, or fatty tissues throughout the body, diet is key to controlling cellulite. Losing weight, especially reducing body fat will help with the appearance of cellulite, in reducing fat overall.
Seeds like flaxseeds and chia seeds are great for reducing cellulite because they contain compounds that help to increase the production of collagen, which gives the skin that smooth, younger look and feel. Seeds are great foods to add to your diet in that they are very versatile. Use them in a snack, salad, or smoothie to get the benefit from these seeds.
Another way people can modify their diet to reduce cellulite is to eat leaner proteins. In the case of most people, especially if you try to eat somewhat healthy, the majority of these bad fats in our diet come from animal protein.
These bad fats not only cause us to gain weight, but also cause our blood vessels to clog up and harden which leads to strokes and heart disease. Make sure to eat lean proteins like chicken, turkey, beans, and fish like tuna and salmon.
You want to be eating about 4 ounces of protein in each meal which will help you stay full and lose more weight. A four ounce piece of chicken is about the size of the average adult’s fist to give you an idea of how much to include in your meals.
Another trick to reducing cellulite is to drink more water. Water not only helps in keeping you hydrated, but also fills you up as well. Keeping yourself hydrated will help with the elasticity of your skin, reducing the crater-like look of cellulite.
Just like there are foods that will help you avoid getting cellulite, certain foods will cause it as well. If you haven’t caught on yet, the key here is maintaining proper balance of water in your body. When your cells have too much water in them, you end up looking bloated and overweight. Too little water, well that’s what causes those craters in the cellulite.
Foods high in salt and sugar are ones we want to stay away from first and foremost, because they will upset this delicate balance in your body. If you eat foods high in sugar and salt, your body will retain more water to compensate, lowering blood sugar levels. In turn, this extra water weight leaves you looking and feeling bloated.
Foods that consist of refined grains or high in other simple sugars are foods you want to avoid as well. These foods are processed by the body in a similar manner as sugar, because of how fast they are broken down.
These refined foods cause our blood sugar levels to skyrocket, causing our body to secrete insulin to compensate which promotes the accumulation of fat.
Stick to whole foods like whole oats, what and barely when it comes to getting your carbohydrates.