The battle against cellulite has been going on since time immemorial. Even before we had a name for it, women the world over have been struggling to get to the heart of the matter in order to eliminate the unsightly skin condition.
It has been called a number of different names – cottage cheese, orange peel, saddlebags, prune-y legs, but no matter what you call it, we have to realize that apart from its unpleasant appearance, the presence of cellulite is an indicator of poor health.
As such, most people associate the condition with being too fat. Since the 1970s, plenty schools of thought have emerged espousing exercise as THE singular way to combat cellulite. But this is not really the case, since a deeper understanding of how cellulite actually occurs will tell us that it has practically nothing to do with being fat as it has with the flow of one’s blood circulation. Even if one succeeds in eliminating the excess fat in the body, chances are the cellulite will be there to stay, unless the unhealthy state of the blood circulation is remedied. On its own, no amount of exercise will breakdown the fibers causing cellulite.
However, do not be misled into thinking that exercise is completely useless to the process of eliminating cellulite. In fact, it is rather indispensable. Regular exercise is necessary to maintain your body’s healthy status quo. It is also important in the increase of the metabolic rate, which results in the improvement of circulation.
One must be sure, however, that the form of exercise one does is not going to further sabotage efforts to minimize cellulite. Some exercises, instead of being helpful serve to aggravate tensions which have been instrumental in causing the dreaded condition.
Over-exertion through exercise causes a build-up of free radicals in the tissues. Since the tissues in the skin are very vulnerable to damage, an accumulation of free radicals in the area could lead to the breakdown in circulation. While the body can deal with short bouts of overexertion, if such is sustained, such as in long distance running, and competitive weight training, and misguided aerobics classes, serious damage begins to accumulate.
Moderate exercises which are based on good resistance is a great way to begin your journey to an improved you. Yoga, as well as pilates, which isolates the different muscles help builds up lean tissue in both the big and small muscle groups. Increasing the lean tissue raises the metabolic rate and helps improve blood circulation.
Working out on an exercise bike, as well as running or brisk walking, when done at intervals, can be very helpful too. A varied interval length as well as a varied intensity will also help speed up the metabolism, allowing you to burn fat more efficiently.
Stretching classes aimed at improving blood circulation and lymph drainiage as well as realigning the body is also suggested. Deep stretching and breathing techniques such as Pukitso allows the body to create a space between the pelvis and the diaphragm, and in turn enables the proper use of the diaphragm for better lymph drainage.
When combined with the proper diet, as well as other metabolism boosting herbs and natural ingredients, exercise can be a very potent tool in battling the unsightly bulges that cellulite characterizes. But always be sure to give yourself a break once in a while, and remember that apart from looking physically fit, it is feeling great that is what is key to a better, happier, healthier you.
