Are you ready to get in shape for summer? Get to work on those fat deposits, for starters. Choosing the right diet, exercise and boosting blood flow are simple ways to trim cellulite.
Cellulite, usually found in the butt area, lower limbs, abdomen and arms causing the skin to wrinkle like an orange peel, is fat that bulges between the connective tissues separating fat cells. So just by reducing your body fat percentage, you can cut the cellulite.
Follow these five rules to get a cellulite-free, toned body:
Do cardio
Because it burns fat. The best cardio machines for cellulite are the treadmill, stair stepper and cycle – they all increase heart rate to burn fat and also workout muscles of the hip, thighs and buttocks.
Because it burns fat. The best cardio machines for cellulite are the treadmill, stair stepper and cycle – they all increase heart rate to burn fat and also workout muscles of the hip, thighs and buttocks.
Regular high-intensity interval training is recommended for cellulite busting because it burns more calories in less time and speeds up your metabolism following your workout.
Don’t forget strength-training
Cardio by itself is unlikely to give you results because cellulite is caused by either too much fat and too little muscle. Cardio can burn fat but will do nothing to increase lean muscle. For that, you need to combine cardio with strength training, which increases muscle mass and burns more calories than fat. The more toned you are, the tighter your skin will appear, and this can help minimize the appearance of cellulite.
Focus on strength-training moves that build up the hamstrings, quads, buttocks and hips. Squats, dead-lifts, lunges and leg curls are ideal strength exercises to work the muscles of the cellulite prone areas.
Eat better
Cellulite is often caused by toxins (from a bad diet) which reduce skin elasticity and slow down circulation. Eating a healthy, balanced diet helps prevent your body from storing excess fat and keeps your weight under control.
Stick to a variety of veggies, fruits, whole grains and lean sources of protein, like poultry and beans, to make up the bulk of your diet. Watch your salt intake as well. Sodium causes your body to retain water, which can worsen the appearance of cellulite, and keep your sugar intake under six teaspoons a day since excess sugar gets stored as fat.
Stick to foods that contain antioxidants, like berries (strawberries), or bananas, mangoes as well as papaya, which prevent tissue damage under the skin, according to research.
Foods rich in vitamin C are also excellent cellulite-busters because they boost levels of collagen in the skin, which promotes elasticity and keeps things firm and taut. Diuretic foods like cucumber, celery, onions and asparagus which reduce bloating and fluid retention are also good at preventing cellulite.
Other skin-strengthening foods include oily fish, chicken, grapefruit, tomatoes, apples, spinach and carrots.
Drink more water
Water strengthens collagen, and also plumps the skin to reduce the bulging appearance of cellulite. It also helps your body rid itself of excess fat. Drink extra when you’re working out or when the weather gets hot.
Boost your circulation
Apart from exercise, body massages and showers that switch from hot to cold can also boost circulation, increase oxygen flow to the body and reduce cellulite formation.
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