Our next Cellulite Story comes from a British gal of Asian descent living in London. Harbour House is smart to pay attention to her cellulite the first time she noticed it. (I wish I hadn’t neglected mine for so long –it just seems it’s always been there!).
HH is just starting her cellulite treatment with dry brushing and wondering what to try next. Any suggestions?
1. At what age did you first notice your cellulite? How would you describe it?
The problem with my cellulite is that it is too easy to ignore. I don’t have a full-length mirror in my new flat so it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind, though unfortunately not out of my body. The last time I looked in a large mirror was a couple of months ago and I was horrified to find a dimply backside. Prior to this, I had only ever had a plump (but smooth) bottom. The cellulite is not painful and my bottom is soft, like a free cushion. It’s not actually that bad, or perhaps that is just my wishful thinking!
2. How has your cellulite fluctuated over the years?
I eat a lot and no-one has ever used the word ‘slim’ in reference to myself! Having said that, I am still within the bounds of normality. I work part-time as a nanny and was recently press-ganged into creating a profile on the kids’ Wii Fit Plus programme, which included being weighed and having my BMI index calculated. I am slightly overweight, and my Wii character is round, much to the children’s mockery!!
I am a UK size 14 (US 10) which is the largest I have ever been. Chasing after children is exhausting, though apparently not enough to burn sufficient calories. I find that living in London means that I eat much more and exercise much less. I used to go to a lot of exercise classes at university and also used to have a physically demanding job in sailing, which was amazing for my figure (though not my bank account). So I suppose my cellulite journey is currently a slippery slope.
3. What do you suspect is your kryptonite?
I don’t smoke, or drink alcohol, do not drink coffee, or eat much fast food. I suppose having one spoonful of sugar in each cup of tea does add up and I do like rich foods like lasagne, pasta, sausages … that must be it!
[Analyst's note: We've been digging up evidence that sugar is a likely cellulite culprit, as are trans fats. But saturated fat is a more complex subject --check out this Cellulite Story by Coconutty Professor. We'll learn more about saturated fat next month when our Cellulite BOTM research group reads through Eat Fat, Lose Fat
4. What has been your experience with cellulite treatments?
I have a body brush, though I have been using it on wet skin all these years for exfoliation purposes rather than dry-brushing in order to shift cellulite. I have altered my exfoliation style though, in accordance with dry-brushing advice to only brush in one direction toward the heart so as not to strain the one-way lymphatic drainage valves.
I have also been intrigued by the soap bars with the massage nodules on the end
5. What cellulite treatments are you planning to try next?
I tend to lose weight when I exercise regularly, even if I continue my diet of rich foods. However, since I am living in London for the foreseeable future, and I somehow find it difficult to incorporate a gym visit into my daily routine, I’m not sure what my next move should be. Diet, I think.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Wouldn't a lot of stretching exercises help cellulite? I have it somewhat and haven't even attempted to get rid of it, but that would be my first thought.
I haven't read anything about a direct link between stretching and cellulite. I've always been flexible and did a lot of stretching, especially when my cellulite first appeared back in the day, but it didn't seem to help with the cellulite problem. I'm sure it doesn't hurt, of course, and it probably helps to get the blood flowing. Has anyone else had any success with stretching?
My sister and I have always been slim, but have had cellulite since we were in our teens. We both have found that our cellulite (at least the appearance) has diminished with weight training. The increased muscle seems to push out the area and give the appearance of less cellulite. It's not completely gone, but I am not so embarrassed at the idea of wearing shorts any more.
Yay, Karen! So glad to hear about your cellulite successes! I've heard great things about weight training for cellulite reduction. That's why we focused on Joyce Vedral's Bottoms Up! workout program last month. Exercise doesn't work for every woman (at least where cellulite is concerned), but it's definitely a big piece of the puzzle. Thanks for sharing your experience with it!
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