Is your cellulite getting worse with exercise?

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.

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people, woman, Is your cellulite getting worse with exercise

Let’s get started.

From the Mayo Clinic, “Cellulite 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.”[1]

From Healthline.com, “Cellulite is caused by a buildup of fat underneath the skin. Some women are more predisposed to it than others. The amount of cellulite 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 of cellulite.”[2]

Cellulite is just normal fat. It looks lumpy because it presses against connective tissue, resulting in the skin above it to pucker.

Whether you’re 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
  • Fad dieting
  • Slow metabolism
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Dehydration
  • Total body fat (But at least one study showed that losing weight doesn’t 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 don’t.

Genetics certainly plays a role. However, there is not much you can do about this so let’s focus our energy on the causes of cellulite which you can do something about.

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Poor Diet. You’ve probably heard the expression, “you can’t out-exercise a bad diet.” 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, …“sugar 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.”[4]

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Doing the wrong type of exercise. There’s no way to prevent cellulite, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and it’s a very common condition. The risk increases with age and certain lifestyle factors.

While you can’t 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.

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Other products that can reduce the appearance of cellulite

Self-tanning lotions. Tanning gives you a darker hue, which reduces the appearance of cellulite. The reason for this phenomenon is darker skin conceals the skin’s texture more than lighter complexions.

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Here are some of our favorite self-tanning lotions:

SaleBestseller No. 1
Jergens Natural Glow +FIRMING Self Tanner, Sunless Tanning Lotion for Fair to Medium Skin Tone, Anti Cellulite Firming Body Lotion for Natural-Looking Tan, 7.5 Ounce
  • 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.
Bestseller No. 2
Tan Physics True Color Sunless Tanner Tanning Lotion
  • PAMPER YOUR SKIN - Tan Physics replenishes and hydrates your skin with proven natural ingredients including Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Natural Caramel & Sugars, Organic Aloe Vera, and Hydrolyzed Collagen
SaleBestseller No. 3
Beauty by Earth Self Tanner - Self Tanning Lotion for Body, Natural & Organic Ingredients Clear Sunless Tanning Lotion Best Sellers, Fake Tan & Quick Tan for Bronzer Glow for Men & Women
20,862 Reviews
Beauty by Earth Self Tanner - Self Tanning Lotion for Body, Natural & Organic Ingredients Clear Sunless Tanning Lotion Best Sellers, Fake Tan & Quick Tan for Bronzer Glow for Men & Women
  • 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.

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:

SaleBestseller No. 1
Caffeine Anti Cellulite Hot Cream, Body Sculpting Cellulite Workout Cream for Women & Men , Anti-Cellulite Remover Creams, Natural Sweat Workout Enhancer, Thighs Belly Butt Firming Legs Slimming Cream
2,249 Reviews
Caffeine Anti Cellulite Hot Cream, Body Sculpting Cellulite Workout Cream for Women & Men , Anti-Cellulite Remover Creams, Natural Sweat Workout Enhancer, Thighs Belly Butt Firming Legs Slimming Cream
  • 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.
SaleBestseller No. 2
Advanced Clinicals Green Coffee Bean Lift & Slim Body Cream Skin Care Anti Cellulite Cream | Caffeine Body Lotion Balm To Firm, Tighten, & Hydrate Look Of Legs, Arms, Tummy, Butt, & Thighs, 16 Ounce
  • Invigorate Your Skin – Bring the life back into your body with your Green Coffee Bean Oil slimming cream from Advanced Clinicals! Moisturize and tone your tummy, legs, and body.
  • Tighten and Tone – Give your thighs and butt a boost with your anti-cellulite cream. This thick, caramel-and-coffee-scented body lotion absorbs effortlessly to create smoother skin.
  • Youth-Enhancing Antioxidants – Give your skin the detox it craves. Your total-body tightening cream enriches your skin while encouraging the breakdown of body fats with high levels of antioxidants.
Bestseller No. 3
Slimming Cream for Tummy, Abdomen, Belly and Waist - Firming Cream - Hot Cream for Weight Loss - Anti Cellulite Cream And Stomach Fat Burner - Natural Ingredients (Mango)
5,666 Reviews
Slimming Cream for Tummy, Abdomen, Belly and Waist - Firming Cream - Hot Cream for Weight Loss - Anti Cellulite Cream And Stomach Fat Burner - Natural Ingredients (Mango)
  • ✔️EFFECTIVE SLIMMING CREAM - Our slimming cream is a fat burner for the tummy and waist. It works by heating up where you apply it to make it easier to sweat for weight loss.
  • ✔️CELLULITE REMOVAL CREAM - Not only will this slimming cream help you to lose weight, but it works as a cellulite removal cream to tighten skin and get rid of cellulite.
  • ✔️ALL BODY USE - Use this fat burning cream for your abdomen and waistline. You can also use it for other parts of the body. We especially recommend the thighs, calves, and arms.

Anti-cellulite massagers. These massagers work by naturally drawing the toxins from your deep tissue using utility and eliminating the fluid retention and creating the sculpting, contouring effect. 

Bestseller No. 1
TESMED Anti Cellulite Massager: Clinically Proven Efficacy, Made in Italy, with Converging & Diverging Roller Technology. Patent-Registered Cellulite Roller for Thighs and Buttocks.
  • As a natural bodily response to the treatment, bruises may appear in the treated areas. This is a normal sign of effectiveness, and the bruises disappear within a few days. However, it is recommended not to press on the skin, and in the case of very sensitive skin, to apply a cream or oil before the treatment. Tesmed Cellulite is not recommended in case of fragile capillaries.
  • Manual cellulite massager made in Italy against cellulite blemishes. The invention of cellulite massager roller features pairs of converged rollers that lift and tighten the part with a "pinching" and "kneading" effect and simultaneously pairs of divergent rollers instead work to stretch the skin.
  • It's a cellulite roller for thighs and butt . The action of the converging rollers of this anti cellulite massager promotes the expulsion of excess liquids and exerts an energetic toning effect, while the diverging rollers stretch the skin, providing a smoothing action.
SaleBestseller No. 2
SENSIOHOME Body Sculpting Machine, Electric Cellulite Massager Handheld Cordless Massager for Belly Fat, Waist, Arm, Hip, Leg, Best Gift for Man&Women
306 Reviews
SENSIOHOME Body Sculpting Machine, Electric Cellulite Massager Handheld Cordless Massager for Belly Fat, Waist, Arm, Hip, Leg, Best Gift for Man&Women
  • Body Cellulite Massager: With our cellulite massager remover, you can achieve a beautiful sculpted body and improve the unaesthetic cellulite in the comfort of your own home.
  • Multi-Functional Design: The cellulite machine uses constant temperature technology that is safe and gentle with your skin. It features 3 modes, 10 intensity levels and a cordless design for easy handling on all areas of your body. (note: Do NOT use it on your face)
  • Firming the skin: This body sculpting massager special technology is believed to make the skin tighter and smoother. It is better to moisturize your skin with gel or essence before using the device. (The device doesn't vibrate)
Bestseller No. 3
LAMARINE SKINCARE Cordless Cellulite Massager - Anti Cellulite Body Sculpting Machine for Stomach Fat, Buttocks, Legs, Back, and Arms - Stretch Mark Removal Body Contouring Machine
  • Multi-Functionality: Our cellulite reduction massager integrates body sculpting, cellulite reduction, stretch mark removal, skin texture improvement, and relaxation in one device! Save your time and money while achieving the desired shape.
  • Advanced Technology: The head of this body sculpting machine vibrates instead of rotating. Hence, contact friction that causes irritation is avoided while soft and skin-friendly massage is performed. It reduces muscle tension, stimulates lymphatic circulation, enhances blood flow, and breaks down fat cells.
  • Powerful & Convenient: Our body slimming machine has a high-capacity battery that ensures a long-lasting performance without charging. As a portable belly massager for weight loss, it can be used at home or while traveling.

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

Last update on 2024-03-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API



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