I’ve been asked multiple times this week “How do I get rid of my cellulite?” I’m here to clear up some misconceptions and tell you my honest dang opinion about the annoying thing most women have in common, cellulite.
For me, I personally became extremely self-conscious of my cellulite on the back of my legs when I was around 17 years old wearing shorts and someone pointed it out. This made me insecure when wearing bathing suits, shorts, dresses, and followed me all throughout college and into adulthood.
I know SO many women who are also self-conscious about their cellulite, too. This is a constant topic brought up by my clients, so I thought I would share my take on it now as a 30 year old woman who’s (mostly) overcome her battle with our fun friend cellulite.
Genetics Plays a Huge Role
The first thing about cellulite is that it really can come down to genetics. My mom has always had cellulite on the back of her legs, and low and behold I do too. I’ve also met women who have zero cellulite and their family members are the same (JEALOUS!)
Genetics can play a huge role simply because it’s in our DNA, and no matter what we do it’s just there. I honestly like this excuse, but also equally annoyed that it can be out of our control.
Gender Plays a Huge Role
Ever get annoyed at your husband for not having one single ounce of cellulite on his body? Yeah, me too!
Men and women differ when it comes to cellulite. Women are more likely to have the appearance of cellulite on their skin; it’s rare for men to get it.
Men tend to hold body fat in their stomach region, while women tend to hold body fat in their thighs, breasts, and butts. Fat cells are therefore distributed differently throughout men and women’s bodies.
Although the “true cause” of cellulite is not known, is has been found that men and women’s connective tissues differ below the surface of the skin, which might explain why this happens.
Below the surface of the skin, it appears men have a criss-cross structure of skin makeup, while women seem to have vertically arranged tissue. This could be why women’s skin divots and shows cellulite.
Honest Truth- Products/Lipo Won’t “Fix it”
I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent a lot of time and energy trying to get my cellulite to show less and just disappear.
The honest truth is, fancy products, massage guns, suction cups, creams/scrubs/gels, and liposuction will not make cellulite go away forever.
These all could be temporary fixes, but at the end of the day, it probably will come back. I’ve tried A LOT of things, and some clients have even done “cool sculpting” and Lipo-suction, and it even came back for them!
Fat cells are fat cells. Genetics are genetics. You might have it show less for a temporary amount of time, but chances are your cellulite is a life-long trait.
What Can I do for My Cellulite Then?!
I’m not trying to say it’s impossible to have cellulite-free skin, but I am saying it’s something you might have to come to terms with.
There are a couple things you could do to lessen the appearance of cellulite:
- Lower your body fat by eating healthy
- Lift weights to grow muscle
- Self-tanner
First, if you lower your body fat overall, then cellulite might be less noticeable. Cellulite is from fat cells, so if you decrease body fat, it may show less. I know when I am a little leaner, my legs look less dimply.
Next, lift weights!! If you change your body composition and gain muscle (which remember, makes you look smaller), then those problem areas will be more firm, tight, and “toned”.
Third, I use self-tanner which helps significantly reduce the appearance of my cellulite on my legs. When I am super pale is it way more noticeable, so I use self-tanner on a weekly basis!!
We are Women. We are Beautiful.
The most humbling experience of my life was when I was back stage at my NPC bikini competition. I was 10% body fat, yet still had some cellulite and felt a little self-conscious.
I walked back stage to see the most dedicated athletes all getting ready to go on stage. Rock hard bodies. Some on steroids and JACKED. Insane abs and muscle definition. Legs that were incredible.
Yet, when every woman turned around, I was humbled and shocked to see, they ALL had cellulite too! This was the day that I fully accepted my cellulite and realized, I am a woman. I am proud. I am flawed. I am beautiful even with cellulite.
Don’t let it get you down. You are normal and you are beautiful.
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