If you've been worrying about a bit of dimpling on your backside, at least you know you're not alone — 80 to 90 percent of women have cellulite [1] somewhere on their bodies. If knowledge is power, here are a few things about cellulite to help you feel empowered about that puckering skin.
- Cellulite is more prominent in women than in men due to the structural differences of stored fat between the sexes. The connective tissues that create these storage units in men works on diagonals, where as we lucky ladies store our fat in a large vertical honeycomb-like structure. This structural form unfortunately enhances the appearance of the dimples.
- Genes also play a role, so if your mother has cellulite, or you tend to gain weight in certain areas, you may be more susceptible to that cottage-cheese-like skin.
- Hormonal changes such as taking the pill or having a baby can trigger cellulite.
- Lifestyle choices can also affect how your skin looks. Smoking, caffeine, poor diet, eating too much fat, yo-yo dieting, not drinking enough water, not exercising, and not getting enough sleep [2] are also factors.
It is possible to reduce the appearance of cellulite. A combination of laser, massage, radio frequency, and suction treatments are available, but these remedies are pricey and only temporary. You'll end up needing to fork over the moola for ongoing treatments in order to maintain your skin's new look. Don't waste your money on cellulite lotions either since topical creams can't penetrate the three layers of skin to eliminate the fat. What you can do is decrease overall body fat by doing calorie-burning cardio; try 60 minutes of cardio five times a week [3].
Unfortunately, cardio alone will not decrease the dimples. Flaccid muscle can increase the appearance of cellulite, so strength training is highly recommended. Work the muscles in the areas where the dimpling is occurring two to three times a week. This means doing lunges [4] in all directions as well as butt- and thigh-toning squats — try this 30-Day Squat Challenge [5]. Or work your entire backside with these moves for toning your lower body [6] as well as these inner-thigh toners [7]. And best of all, remember that you're human, so embrace it because a little cellulite shouldn't prevent you from doing the things you love.