Does Cellulite Ever Go Away? Let’s Find Out

Have you recently taken a look in the mirror after a shower and been shocked to find lumps and bumps on your thighs? When you first notice cellulite developing, it can be a real confidence killer. Like me, you've probably gone to great lengths to keep your thighs concealed at all costs. Please tell me I'm not the only woman who has worn pants to the beach before?

The thing about cellulite is that you can only hide it for so long. With the summer months upon us, it's almost impossible to keep your legs covered up. If you've often sat and wondered if your cellulite will ever go away, you aren't alone. Most of us women have spent way too long poking and prodding our legs in the mirror and thinking we'll be forever plagued by lumpy, bumpy skin.

To get right to down to it; yes, cellulite can go away. It's not an easy task, but it's possible. Keep reading to find out what cellulite is and what exactly will help banish it forever.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite affects millions of men and women around the world. While some folks are genetically predisposed to developing cellulite, most develop it because they have a buildup of excess fat underneath their skin. This excess fat pushes against your skin's connective tissue causing lumps and dimples to appear.

Cellulite can be embarrassing but the good news is that it can't technically hurt anything besides your ego. Although, if you are dealing with a bad dose of cellulite you'll want to take a look at your current lifestyle choices. If you are in the habit of eating poorly and not exercising, you may have gained some excess fat. As mentioned, excess fat can cause cellulite but can also be detrimental to your health for many other reasons as well.

Cellulite has recently been a hot topic on the blog and I've had readers asking me all kinds of questions about how to make it go away for good. Lucky for you I decided to dedicate a post to the questions I've received!

Does Cellulite Go Away With Weight Loss?

Weight loss is a great way to reduce or eliminate cellulite. Getting rid of excess fat on your body will pull the skin back in and reduce dimpling. The trouble is that losing weight is hardly ever simple.

When people ask me for advice on how to lose weight quickly and easily, I always tell them that it starts with your diet. Cleaning up your diet will help you lose weight and gain healthier looking skin. If you're new to "clean eating," simply begin by implementing these three rules:

• Say no to sugar
• MInimize carbohydrate intake
• Avoid processed foods

If you stick to those three rules you'll be losing weight in no time. Most of us don't realize how much sugar we have in our diets. It hides in things like coffee creamer, tomato sauce, granola bars and dried fruits. Begin by reading labels before you buy. If it has added sugar, skip it. The only sugars you should be getting are those found in healthy complex carbohydrates or fruits.

As for carbohydrates, choose those with a low glycemic index. Glycemic Index is a measuring system that determines how quickly or slowly your body breaks down food and how it affects your blood sugar. Foods with a low glycemic index increase your blood sugar levels slowly. Foods with a high glycemic index cause your blood sugar to spike and then crash, leaving you craving more sugar!

You can see more about the vicious sugar cycle in the following YouTube video.

And finally, avoiding processed foods is a no-brainer but not the easiest rule to implement. In order to avoid them myself, I instated a rule a long time ago. I wouldn't allow myself to shop in the center of the grocery store. Sticking to the perimeter of the store allowed me to focus solely on fruits, vegetables and meats. No more boxes of macaroni and cheese or cookies. I even managed to avoid cereals (which are also loaded with sugar).

Long story short, in order to lose weight and in turn lose cellulite, you have to focus on eating plant-based, healthy foods. No more trips to the drive-thru or late night ice cream stops.

You asked, "Does cellulite go away with weight loss?" My answer is, "Yes, it can." With proper diet and nutrition, you can lose weight and reduce cellulite. Less fat equals less opportunity for cellulite to appear.

Does Cellulite Go Away With Exercise?

The answer is yes….if you combine it with clean eating. Exercise only works if you also dial in your nutrition. The saying is, "Abs are made in the kitchen." That's because you can't outrun a bad diet. The good news is that no matter what, exercise burns calories, reduces fat and helps build muscle. Those three things will be very effective at reducing your cellulite or even eliminating it completely.

When exercising for cellulite, target problem areas like your hips, butt and thighs. Luckily your butt and thighs are some of the biggest muscles in your body. This means that working them out will help you burn even more calories and fat than working smaller muscle groups.

What are the best exercises for cellulite reduction? Squats, lunges and running or walking are great ways to target the legs and butt. One of my favorite ways to target the butt is by going for a hilly hike. You'll get to be outdoors and your buns will be burning in no time. No hills or mountains nearby? Don't worry, you can get started right now in your living room with these cellulite-busting moves.

No matter which exercises you choose, exercise in general will help you get rid of cellulite by creating muscle and decreasing fat. Dialing in your nutrition will give you an added advantage and help you eliminate cellulite even faster. So to answer your question, "Yes! Cellulite can go away with exercise!"

Check here the top 10 fat burning exercises!

Does Cellulite Go Away After Pregnancy?

Pregnancy changes our bodies in all kinds of amazing and not-so-amazing ways. Maybe you are already embracing your new "mom bod" and don't mind the extra flab or bumpy skin that might have seemingly appeared overnight. If you're like most women though, you are still trying to get used to your new mommy body. Believe me, I know from experience that post-pregnancy bodies can be tough to adjust to.

If you did develop cellulite while you were pregnant, don't fret. Cellulite can go away after pregnancy. Many women are even able to completely avoid getting cellulite during pregnancy by participating in healthy habits throughout the full nine months.

Unfortunately though, that's not the case for a lot of us. Many times we view pregnancy as a free pass to eat and drink whatever we want, causing excessive and unnecessary weight gain. Pregnancy is a lot of work, which makes us feel like we "deserve" that bowl of ice cream or nightly pizza. This couldn't be further from the truth. What our bodies and our babies deserve is a healthy environment where they can grow free of stress, toxins and junk.

While you are pregnant, make sure you eat healthy foods, get plenty of rest and eliminate unnecessary toxins from your environment. These steps will give your baby an amazing place to grow and it will help you prevent cellulite from developing along the way.

Just remember, that brownie sundae might look good now but it will be that much more for you to work off later. When I was pregnant I learned to swap indulgent things with healthy treats. For instance, I'd eat yogurt with berries and a few drops of chocolate syrup instead of gorging on a whole pint of ice cream.

Can Cellulite Go Away On Its Own?

Here's where I have to introduce some bad news. Cellulite is not going to go away on its own. Getting rid of cellulite takes hard work, dedication and discipline. As mentioned above, the best way to reduce cellulite is through clean eating and exercise. Those tactics will get your body to a place of decreased fat, increased muscle and cellulite-free skin.

Trying to diet and exercise is easier said than done though. That's why you need to employ an accountability buddy to help you through it all. Grab a friend and go for a hike together or try out a new fitness class. You can also get your family involved at the grocery store. Send the kids on a scavenger hunt to find certain produce. Let them help you pick out healthy recipes and then come home and cook and prep your meals for the week together.

Does Cellulite Ever Go Away?

Yes cellulite can go away, but unfortunately it won't go away on its own. Practicing healthy habits like clean eating and exercise will keep your weight in check and your cellulite at bay. What healthy habits have you started in order to reduce cellulite? Share in the comments below!

Here's one related infographic I have found at cozyideas.com

Sources

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/weight-control/health_risks_being_overweight/Pages/health-risks-being-overweight.aspx
http://www.prevention.com/fitness/strength-training/6-moves-target-cellulite
http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_for_100_foods