Cottage cheese, dimples, fat deposits, it all comes down to one word – “cellulite.”  Most women in the world (about 85 percent) deal with it. Overweight, underweight, ideal weight, tall, short, exercise fanatic, never lifted a weight in their life person – it happens.

What about the women on magazine covers/catalogs? Chances are they have it, too.

We don’t see it because of airbrushing the picture before it’s printed. Few extremely fortunate women will never see cellulite on their body.

What is cellulite?

Cellulite is what most people refer to as the “fatty deposits” that form dimply skin, mainly on the thighs, buttocks, and hips. Cellulite is formed when the connective tissues underneath the skin that shape the fat become weak and deformed.

This connective tissue acts as an anchor for the muscles and the skin. When connective tissues become weak, body fat, which lies under the skin, bulges upward and causes the cottage cheese look.

Causes of cellulite:

• Hormones – estrogen imbalance: Excess estrogen is thought to be one of the most common causes of cellulite build up in women.

Estrogen is believed by some to weaken the connective tissues that allow the fat to bulge in the skin.

Does this mean you should reduce the amount of estrogen you are producing?  No. Doing this will not take away the existing cellulite plus there are many bad side effects.

The role hormones play is very complex and by altering your estrogen level for the sake of cellulite isn’t worth it.

• Lack of exercise: Some professionals believe the primary cause of cellulite is poor circulation. These professionals claim regular exercise will prevent further cellulite.  Their theory states that lack of exercise causes poor lymphatic and blood circulation and poor lymph drainage.

Due to poor drainage, the skin becomes bloated with excess fluid and prevents fat stored under the skin from being distributed back into the body.

• Diet: Not eating a well-balanced diet could get you in trouble with cellulite, especially diets high in protein.

The body needs protein but excessive amounts are hard for the liver to break down.

Diets high in fruits, fiber and vegetables help prevent the development of cellulite.

• Help: Exercise is an ideal way to help prevent additional cellulite.

Unfortunately, once you have cellulite, there is not much you can do.

Getting your blood pumping and lifting weights will help minimize cellulite. Try aerobics, swimming, jogging or walking.

Creams?

Do I believe in them? No. Even if they can give you that miracle fix for a day, they do not cure the problem.  What about surgery?

I would never recommend it or do it.

Will it work? Sure – but who has money to throw away and do you really want to risk all the dangerous effects from such a procedure.

It all comes down to taking care of yourself through proper exercise and diet.