The relationship between cellulite, exercise & nutrition

According to the experts, the first step you must take when it comes to cellulite, is to adopt better dietary habits and make smarter food choices. This is your chance to say bye-bye to toxins, fat, fast food, alcohol and soft drinks. Try to consume small meal portions regularly throughout the day. Reduce your intake of carbohydrates, bread, pasta, and sugar whilst increasing your intake of white protein, such as chicken and fish. Enrich your diet with whole grains and vegetables – especially asparagus, celery, arugula, lettuce and carrots. Become a fruit lover and opt for fruits such as pineapple, grapefruit, cherries, green apples and strawberries. As you’ve probably heard before, a great nutritional tip is also to increase your fluid intake mainly in the form of water as well as green tea that’s known for its antioxidant properties.

How about using cellulite as the opportunity to take on a new activity? Walking, running or cycling can help you to quickly get rid of the annoying appearance of cellulite. If you’re already on a healthy exercise regimen then you may want to consider switching up the frequency of your training sessions. If you use the TRX or exercise balls on a regular basis then you should try doing many repetitions with fewer breaks than usual. A great exercise that you can try at home is; ‘lie down on the floor with a chair in front of you. Place your feet on the chair in a flexed position with the toes pointing upwards. Bend your knees so that they create a 90-degree angle. Make sure that your shoulders are touching the ground at all times. Lift your pelvis for 4 sets of 15-20 repetitions. If you want to increase the difficulty level, you can do the same exercise however keeping one foot in the air for four sets of 12-15 repetitions. Your resting breaks between each set should be for 20-30 seconds.’

Scientists have suggested that a diet containing excessive amounts of carbs may worsen cellulite. The reason behind this is that carbs are said to increase insulin hormone levels thus promoting an increase in total body fat. Furthermore, it’s also been suggested that a diet that includes large quantities of salt may increase fluid retention, hence making the appearance of cellulite worse. That said, your safest bet is to ensure your diet doesn’t contain excessive amounts of refined sugars or carbs ad you maintain a healthy weight with a well-hydrated body. As a matter of fact, weight gain and aging are linked to an increased risk of developing cellulite. So maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is key. Some of the ideal food sources that can help combat the appearance of cellulite are: salmon, chili and cayenne peppers, sunflower seeds, dark berries, apple cider vinegar, green and herbal tea, hummus, saffron.