Cellulite is a very real thing that affects almost all women. Yes, even models and celebrities (they just have better personal trainers and makeup artists to cover it up)! Whether we’re thin or curvy, that lumpy, dimpled skin we all hate can appear anywhere from our butts to our thighs, our belly and even our arms.
Cellulite occurs when fat pushes up against the connective tissues that surround fat cells, creating a bulging effect on the cells. The chances are if your mom has it, you definitely will too. But even if it is genetic, doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it. Read on to kick the cellulite on your butt…in the butt!
1. Change Your Diet
This is a huge step in keeping cellulite at bay. Cut down on the carbs, sugar and processed food you consume to reduce fats that get stored as cellulite. Fiber should be a huge part of your diet as well as fresh fruits, veggies and whole grain foods to help your body get rid of toxins. Also, downing plenty of water daily will help strengthen the collagen in your skin and reduce soft, lumpy skin.
2. Boost Circulation With Dry Brushing
Use a dry bristle brush to massage the appearance of cottage-cheese like skin away. Dry brush the affected area in a circular motion a few times a week to increase blood circulation, stimulate lymph nodes and break down fluids beneath the skin. The result is a more even-looking layer of skin minus that lumpy effect. Plus, dry brushing is a great form of exfoliation for your skin.
POPxo Recommends: Vega Natural Bristle Brush (Rs 250)
3. Slather On Some Serum
Yup, a skin firming serum is ideal to blast annoying cellulite. Apply on cellulite-prone areas to help increase the collagen in your skin, make it firmer and reduce the appearance of dimples.
POPxo Recommends: Nivea Skin Firming and Smoothing Concentrated Serum (Rs 925)
4. Exfoliate Your Woes Away
Here’s another reason to exfoliate your skin regularly (as if getting rid of dead skin to make way for softer, smoother skin wasn’t enough!). A body scrub with coffee as a main ingredient is just what you need to massage into your skin and break up fat deposits. Caffeine is great for tightening up your skin and stimulating blood flow. Use it thrice a week to fight cellulite and smoothen those affected areas. You can make your own scrub by mixing ground coffee with hot water, olive oil or honey to make a nourishing scrub.
POPxo Recommends: Skinyoga Coffee Body Scrub (Rs 399)
5. Exercise!
Cellulite is nothing but fat and the best way to get rid of it is to get off your butt. Physical activities like swimming, walking, jogging, aerobics and yoga can help reduce it if done a few times a week. Try these exercises aiming at different body parts to get rid of your cellulite for good.
Exercises For Butt Cellulite
Single Leg Hip-Raise
Lie on your back with one knee bent and one leg straight and stretched upwards at a 45 degree angle (point your toes too). Squeeze your tummy in, clench your butt and lift your hips off the ground (one leg should be elevated now and the other still bent at the knee). Your elevated knee should be in line with your shoulder. Pause for 2 seconds with your tummy tight and your glutes still clenched before you lower yourself back into the original position. Repeat again in sets of 20.
Tip: Make sure not to arch your back and keep your body as straight as possible as you raise your hips and come back into the starting position.
Dumbbell Squats and Lunges
Squats and lunges are two of the most effective exercises when it comes to toning your butt and fighting cellulite. To do a lunge, take a big step forward with you leg and let your front knee sink down at a 90-degree angle. Your other knee at the back should be low enough as though it’s almost touching the floor. Use your front leg to push your body back up. Repeat with the other leg. To perform a squat, stand with your legs apart in line with your shoulders, then push your butt back and bend down with your back straight before propelling your body back up.
Tip: You can hold dumbbells while performing these exercises to help fight cellulite better.
Exercise For Belly Cellulite
The Forearm Plank
This is amazing for tightening your core muscles, slimming your waist and giving you stronger abs. Lie on the ground face down, with your forearms on the floor and your elbows aligned with your shoulders. Now with your hands flat on the ground, raise your body off the ground. Only your toes, forearms and hands should be touching the floor. Keeping your back as straight as possible, hold your body in this position for a whole minute. It will take a bit of practice to last for a whole minute but it’s totally worth it.
Tip: Do the plank as often as you can for fantastic results but make sure to do back strengthening exercises alongside the plank.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFGXIMoArw4
Exercises For Cellulite On Your Legs and Thighs
The Thigh Raise
Lie down your stomach and raise your legs from just above your knees (your thighs should remain on the ground). Hold this position for as many seconds as you can and gradually work up to 15 to 20 seconds. Slowly straighten your knees, and lower your legs to the ground with slow control before repeating again.
The Thigh Chair
Stand a foot away from a wall with your feet slightly apart. Slowly slide your body down the wall till you are in a sitting position. Your thighs should be perpendicular to the wall and your back straight against it. Hold this “sitting” position, gradually working up to 2 minutes.
The Kick
Sit on the floor with your left leg stretched out straight in front of you and your right leg bent at the knee. Lift your left leg up so your foot is at least 6 inches above the ground and your toes are pointing up. With your hands flat on the floor behind you, hold your leg off the ground in this position for 5 to 10 seconds before slowly bringing it back down. Do the same on the other side.
Images: Shutterstock
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