How to get rid of cellulite, the age old question. This month is healthy skin month so, why not talk about cellulite? Those ‘pesky’ skin dimples that get us women fired up and willing to do any kind of anything to get rid of them.
Before we get started, let me tell you how beautiful you are. With or without cellulite. Amazing things can happen to our bodies (at a cellular level) if we tell ourselves we are enough as often as possible. When we wake up in the morning, when we come home for lunch, when we are driving to the store and before we go to bed. “I am enough.” Repeat those simple words and watch the transformation happen.
Now, cellulite is a misunderstood term. Not only do we (and scientists) not understand how to get rid of it, the root cause is also a bit of a foggy area. I will do my best to break down myths about cellulite and give you evidence-based tips for getting rid of cellulite. Best of all, there’s no restrictive diet or prescription for 2 hours a day at the gym. So, how do we get rid of cellulite?
What Is Cellulite?
Cellulite occurs (mostly in women) when we have lymphatic and microcirculatory dysfunction. Extra subcutaneous (under the skin) fat bulges into the dermis as a way to keep adequate calories for lactating and pregnant women. The dimples you are seeing is the fat bulging into fibrous bands. Then, your skin presses back towards the bulge creating the “mattress” effect.
Next, cellulite fibrosis (scarring) happens. Inflammation and scarring of superficial fat tissue + skin laxity + edema (fluid retention) = cellulite. Since there is scarring involved, the question ” how to get rid of cellulite ” is more complex than it seems. The cellulite itself is created by fat-soluble toxics and those fat pockets swell up. Here are the 5 things cellulite needs to be formed:
- fat
- infammation
- edema
- fibrosis
- toxins
How To Get Rid of Cellulite | 7 Steps
1. Fasting
Fasting looks different for everyone but especially women. Most studies on intermittent fasting have been done on men and post-menopausal women. Their bodies are completely different than a fertile women in childbearing years. A great rule of thumb is to fast for 12 hours minimum each day. I always have my clients stop eating 3 hours before they go to bed. So, if you go to bed at 10 p.m., finish up your meals for the day by 7 p.m. Then, for the majority of your fast you will be sleeping. Wait to have your breakfast until 7 a.m. the next morning. It’s simple and achievable, the best kind of goals!
2. Lymphatic Draining
Lymph nodes are those things we always feel in our neck when we are getting sick but they are more than just indicators of a cold coming on. Oh lymphatic system can become clogged and stagnant which leads to fat retention, toxic build up and sluggish like movement in our bodies. When we move the lymphs, we move the toxins. Some of the best ways to do this is an infrared sauna, thoracic massage, dry brushing and regular exercise. Oh and water, don’t forget the (filtered) water. This and this are my favorite filters.
3. Healthy Diet
Now, this is a loaded 2 words. It’s different for everyone but a few things remain the same for e v e r y o n e. Drink lots of water, ditch the sugar, eat a pound of veggies a day, avoid the refined carbohydrates (baked goods) and flood your body with healthy proteins and fat. Like I said, a healthy diet is different for everyone. Here is an example of my daily menu but it may be different for you.
Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. (after 14 hours of fasting): 2 pastured eggs, 1/2 avocado, sautéed spinach and dandelion greens with 1 tsp. ghee, adaptogen elixir with healthy fats and medicinal mushrooms
Lunch around 12 p.m.: 4-6 oz. Alaskan Salmon with homemade mayo, cilantro, Simple Mills crackers, roasted veggies, sliced cucumbers, + some Honey Mama’s chocolate
Dinner at 5 p.m.: 6 oz. pastured chicken, roasted sweet potato, steamed broccoli, olive/caper tapenade + 2 grain-free homemade cookies
4. HIIT
This is, hands down, the best way to get your body moving. HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training and it’s about to rock your world. HIIT helps with lymphatic drainage, moving your bowels, producing oxytocin in your brain and boosting your mitochondrial count. More mitochondria = more energy! Here’s how you do it: 30 second sprint, 90 minute walk/jog repeated 6-12 times. You must warm-up (5 minutes) and cool down (10 minutes) when you do HIIT. You can start off doing it 1-2x per week!
5. Ditch The sugar
Sugar is the culprit of all things but don’t be afraid of it. There are different types of sugar and they aren’t all created equally. Some contain fiber and some contain chlorine, there’s a huge difference. If you are going to have sugar, eat low sugar fruits like organic blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. An occasional banana won’t hurt you and going out with friends and having some ice cream occasionally isn’t going to kill you. Just be aware, sugar is in everything. Don’t go all calorie counting on me but look at the labels, you’ll be shocked that some drinks have over 100 grams of SUGAR in them.
6. Sleep
That’s all I’m going to say, just do it. At least 8 hours a night of uninterrupted sleep in pure 100% pitch black. No lights, alarms clock lights, electronics. About 68 F degrees is ideal.
7. Cut Out The Alcohol
Well, you could have seen this one coming. Alcohol is a stimulant that triggers a stress response in our body. It taxes the liver, depletes important minerals and contributes to a slugging lymphatic system.
Ashlee is a Holistic Nutritionist that works with women in hormone crisis. Women with autoimmune disease, multiple allergies and hormone balance come to her from all around the world to learn how to heal themselves. Here is a link to download her FREE meal plan and grocery guide.
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