Ugh. Cellulite. Yes, that unsightly, dimply-looking skin that everyone hates, yet so many of us deal with. To make matters worse, it is often on our thighs and buttocks. You work out hard, real hard. But is your cellulite getting worse with exercise? Many think so. In this article, I will share what causes cellulite and ways to reduce it with leading experts.
Letโs get started.
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From the Mayo Clinic, โCellulite is a very common, harmless skin condition that causes lumpy, dimpled flesh on the thighs, hips, buttocks, and abdomen. The condition is most prevalent in women.
Many people try, with variable success, to improve the appearance of their skin through weight loss, exercise, massage, and creams marketed as a solution to cellulite.โ[1]
From Healthline.com, โCelluliteย isย causedย by a buildup of fat underneath the skin. Some women are more predisposed to it than others. The amount ofย celluliteย you have and how noticeable it is can be based on your genes, body fat percentage, and age. The thickness of your skin also affects the appearance ofย cellulite.โ[2]
Cellulite is just normal fat. It looks lumpy because it presses against connective tissue, resulting in the skin above it to pucker.
Whether youโre heavy or thin, you can get cellulite. Muscle tone can affect it, and very fit people sometimes have it. Hormonal factors and genetics both play a role. It might also be related to the thickness of your skin. Women are more likely to get it than men. It tends to form more as you get older.
Lifestyle factors may play a role. For example, cellulite may be related to:
- Unhealthy diet
- Fadย dieting
- Slowย metabolism
- Lack ofย physical activity
- Dehydration
- Total body fat (But at least one study showed that losing weight doesnโt change cellulite.)[3]
So, why is your cellulite getting worse with exercise?
As we talked about before, several factors impact why some people have cellulite and others donโt.
Genetics certainly plays a role. However, there is not much you can do about this so letโs focus our energy on the causes of cellulite which you can do something about.
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Poor Diet. Youโve probably heard the expression, โyou canโt out-exercise a bad diet.โ Yes, great bodies are made in the kitchen. This is especially true if you are no longer a teenager with a raging metabolism.
Regardless of how intense you work out, it is extremely easy to overeat and thus, eat more calories than you burn. Even marathon runners, who you would think could eat anything they wanted due to the nature of their activity, still have to carefully monitor what they eat to avoid excess weight gain.
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Exercise fires up your metabolism, as well as your post-workout appetite. Not only do athletic people still have to watch how much they eat, but also the quality of the food they consume.
Too much sugar. From Lipotherapeia, โฆโsugar is the number one cause of cellulite today and the increase of the appearance of cellulite in women in the mid-twentieth century has coincided with the increase in the consumption of various types of sugars, including sucrose (plain sugar), fructose, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), etc.โ[4]
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Doing the wrong type of exercise. Thereโs no way to prevent cellulite, according to theย American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and itโs a very common condition. The risk increases with age and certain lifestyle factors.
While you canโt control your age, you can make some changes to your lifestyle that may help reduce the amount of cellulite on your thighs and buttocks, as well as other parts of your body. These changes can include things like starting a regular exercise program and a nutritious diet.
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When it comes to exercise, the most efficient or quickest way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is through strength training.
The use of free weights is a great way to build muscle strength and tighten the skin up around the thigh and buttocks areas. Free weights are easy to use and quite inexpensive for those who like to work out at home.
โฅSee Best Exfoliators for Dry Skin
Other products that can reduce the appearance of cellulite
Self-tanning lotions. Tanningย gives you a darker hue, which reduces the appearance ofย cellulite. The reason for this phenomenon is darker skin conceals the skinโs texture more than lighter complexions.
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Here are some of our favorite self-tanning lotions:
- SELF TANNER BODY LOTION - Create a flawless light bronze tan with gradual, natural-looking color while nourishing and hydrating dry and extra dry skin.
- GRADUAL SUNLESS TANNING - Our Jergens Natural Glow & FIRMING moisturizer will gradually enhance and deepen your natural skin tone to provide hassle-free, streak-free color. Cruelty free
- CELLULITE REMOVER - Infused with collagen, elastin, and green tea infusions, our fast-acting, anti cellulite formula will help reduce cellulite appearance within 7 days.
- A NATURAL, SUN-KISSED GLOW: Goodbye to orange hues and hello to a natural-looking tan. Our bronzing tanning lotion comes in fair to medium & medium to dark shades for all skin types.
- CLEAN BEAUTY: Trust Beauty by Earth for a natural self tanner organic made with organic aloe vera, shea butter, and botanical extracts without any harmful additives or dyes.
- SUITABLE FOR FACE & BODY: Our organic tanning lotion can be used on both face and body for a seamless, all-over tan. For acne-prone skin, use our tanner lotion for glowing skin.
- Ultra long lasting self tan mousse
- Lightweight mousse format
- Easy to apply
Cellulite creams. There are many anti-cellulite creams on the market, which reduce the appearance of cellulite by firming the skin as well as moisturizing it.
Here are some of our favorite anti-cellulite creams:
- Eliminates Persistent Cellulite. Results are just a click away! The Eveline Cosmetics Slim Extreme 4D Cosmetic Liposuction Professional Intensely Slimming and Remodeling Serum is an easy, fast, in home solution for hard to remove cellulite
- Inhibits growth of fat tissue. Visibly reduces the lumps and dimples under the skin, working on cellular level to effectively overcome stubborn fat cells and cellulite
- Lifts and firms the skin. Innovative ingredients energize the skin, improve blood circulation, tighten and firm the skin. Massaging the product into the skin helps with burning fatty deposits and purifies the skin
- GET HEALTHY SLIM - Enjoy perfectly smooth skin and vital shapes with VIOFAIRY Naturals Anti-Cellulite cream! Made with unique slimming formula, this product works like skin tightening cream quickly firming body in problem areas. Get the shape of your dream with ease and restore your confidence!
- BEAUTIFUL FORMS WITH LESS EFFORTS -Supports and promotes motivation and sweat. Make every visit to gym worth it! VIOFAIRY Naturals ultimate formula eliminates cellulite completely by breaking down fat cells in hips, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen. Kick early and stubborn cellulite.
- Caffeine Cellulite Cream - VIOFAIRY hot cream is developed to firm and improve the overall quality of problem skin areas, contributing to the disappearance of visible signs of cellulite. Our skin tightening cream with caffeine stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, smoothing skin.
- ใNatural Ginger Anti Cellulite Creamใ- Our ginger slimming cream is made with no chemicals and preservatives just natural ginger extract ingredients, pure natural anti-cellulite helps in burning fats, accelerates the metabolism and speed up weight loss, suitable for all kinds of skin.
- ใWidely Applicationsใ- Apply to areas with fats, cellulite and anywhere which you think needs some slimming down, Our heating cellulite slimming cream has great effect in slimming waist, hips, thighs, legs, arms and firming abdomen, easy to absorb, moisturizing and nourishing skin to make it smooth and tender, helps to shape nice and attractive body.
- ใShape Perfect Body Slimming Creamใ- The body massage cream has powerful, fast weight loss and skin care features. Cellulite Hot Cream is extremely effective at refine delicate lines, moisturise and improve the overall texture of the skin, the cream can quickly tighten loose skin caused by weight loss to achieve true weight loss.
Anti-cellulite massagers. These massagers work by naturally drawing the toxins from your deep tissue usingย utility and eliminating the fluid retention and creating theย sculpting, contouring effect.ย
- Reduces Cellulite: Varially anti cellulite massager boosts blood circulationand cellular metabolism, while the 5 steel balls provide deep tissue massage to break down fat deposits.Smooth skin allows you to show off your body with more confidence.
- Increase Skin Elasticity: The bluile cellulite massager stimulates fat-burning processes, helping to reduce excess fat and improve body contour for a more sculpted look. The anti-cellulite massager leaves your skin firmer, smoother, and more youthful.
- Adjustable 12 Suction Levels, Intelligent Safety: Revive anti cellulite massager come with 12 suction levels, you can choose the most comfortable strength according to your preference. After using 20 minutes, it will automatically stopped to prevent the massager from overheating.
- This is a manual massager designed for reducing cellulite, with clinically tested effectiveness. The device has been evaluated on women with cellulite in stages 1 to 3 on the Nรผrnberger and Mรผller scale and with a BMI < 30. This massager, with a registered patent, treats the entire thigh. After 2 weeks, it is possible to achieve a reduction in thigh circumference and an increase in smoothness. After 4 weeks, 87% of users notice improved circulation, 70% see firming effectiveness, and 67% observe a reduction in cellulite imperfections.
- For sensitive skin prone to bruising and/or with fragile capillaries, the use of Tesmed Cellulite, especially at the beginning of treatment, may cause slight bruising, redness, and flaking. Bruises appear due to skin sensitivity or excessive pressure. Normally, bruises disappear within a few days. However, it is recommended not to press on the skin and, in the case of very sensitive or bruise-prone skin, or at your discretion, to apply a body or anti-cellulite cream beforehand to mitigate the pinching effect.
- Tesmed Cellulite is the massager against cellulite imperfections. The invention features pairs of converging rollers that lift and squeeze the area with a "pinching" and "kneading" effect while simultaneously, pairs of diverging rollers work to stretch the skin. The action of the converging rollers promotes the expulsion of excess fluids and provides a toning effect, while the diverging rollers then relax the skin, giving it a smoothing effect.
- ๐๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ก ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก - Elevate your skincare journey with our anti-cellulite body shaper machine, featuring an ergonomic handle that ensures a comfortable grip for effortless and convenient usage. This innovative device is crafted to support your skincare routine, offering a gentle and effective way to care for your skin. (๐จ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ญ๐ฑ ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ผ ๐ถ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ต๐ฌ ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ฑ๐)
- ๐ฆ๐จ๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐ง๐ฆ - Experience the ease of use with our multi-functional massager, featuring 3 operating modes and 10 adjustable intensity levels to suit your personal comfort. Designed to be lightweight and cordless, this device is perfect for providing a soothing massage experience on various parts of the body such as arms, legs, belly, thighs, buttocks, and back. (๐ก๐ผ๐๐ฒ: ๐๐ผ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ.)
- ๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ก๐ - Upgrade your daily regimen with our massager. Use a trusted brand's Hydrogel for an improved massage experience. For additional benefits, manually apply our anti-cellulite oil to enrich your skin. Crafted for simplicity and efficacy, our products support skin health and appearance. (๐ฅ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ: ๐๐ผ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ถ๐น ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ.)
References
[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cellulite/symptoms-causes/syc-20354945
[2] https://www.healthline.com/health/cellulite
[3] https://www.webmd.com/beauty/get-rid-of-cellulite#1
[4] https://www.lipotherapeia.com/the-peach-factor-blog/sugar-and-cellulite
Claudia Faucher is a full-time fitness training expert and lifestyle blogger. She is also been a certified Les Mills BodyPump instructor for the past 5 years and a fitness instructor for over 20 years. Claudia is a personal trainer and creates fitness training programs for seniors and people of all ages. She likes to use her skills and experiences to help others on their fitness journeys.
Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API