What is cellulite?
Where does it come from?
What are today’s methods of removing cellulite?
This must have guide to be cellulite free is full of information to answer these questions. From simple home remedies to the most advanced medical procedures.
As an added bonus, you’ll receive “The Perfect Butt Workout?” Look inside.
Cellulite Solution, The Complete Guild to Being Cellulite Free
By Joy Romano and Jimmy Aquino
Copyright 2010 Joy Romano and Jimmy Aquino
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.
Disclaimer
This book is the opinion of the authors and should be considered informational and not medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for your physician’s advice. Before embarking on any change in diet and physical activity, it is always important to speak with your physician.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 What is Cellulite?
Chapter 2 What Causes Cellulite?
Chapter 3 Methods of Cellulite Removal
Chapter 4 Putting It All Together
Chapter 5 Tips
Chapter 6 Why Don’t We Do What We Know We Need to Do?
Chapter 7 Effort
Chapter 8 The Perfect Butt Workout
Introduction
The idea for this informative book comes from my co-writer Joy Romano. She came to me with the idea of writing an affordable and in depth book on cellulite. Joy’s experience as a partner of a luxury spray-tanning salon, Brazil Bronze Glow Bar in New York City, and as a former owner of Curves Gyms for women, she has had the opportunity to interact with many different types of women. She has encountered literally thousands of women who have all brought up their concerns about cellulite. Women of every age and size, from high fashion models to young women working nine to five jobs, the middle aged and the well-to-do, all have concerns about this difficult problem.
I have been in fitness for 34 years. I have developed my own training philosophy called Advanced Body Building Techniques, (A.B.B.T.). As a personal trainer for 27 years, I have worked with many women whose number one goal was to eliminate cellulite. My training program aimed at cellulite reduction has been extremely successful. It’s definitely a tough program! Usually at our first meeting the conversation would go something like this: “I want to get in shape and tone up a bit, not get big, just toned, aaand I have this little bit of cellulite, right HERE (grab area)… that I would love to have go away!!” Sound familiar?
It was easy to see that Joy was right on target with her idea. This topic is huge and by the sounds of it not many have had success with getting rid of or even reducing cellulite. Between our combined knowledge and extensive research on the subject, we were able to put together a detailed book including every cellulite combating solution from cosmetic companies, natural alternatives, surgery, home remedies, exercise and so on. There is plenty of information on cellulite! We’ve done the work and present it to you in this easy-to-read book.
One of the biggest points we would like you to understand is that you are not alone! We just can’t say that enough.
Let’s reiterate the statistics. What is the common denominator among these people: a size four model, a sixteen year old girl, a thirty-five year old school teacher and many celebrities and entertainers of all ages? They have cellulite! The thought that only overweight older women suffer with cellulite is simply not true. 90% of all women have some cellulite.
Where did it all come from? Let’s see:
- Sitting at your desk all day
- Coming home and plopping down in front of the television because you’re too tired from sitting at your desk all day
- The cheeseburger late at night
- All the extra high calorie foods and snacks that you’re eating
- Junk food
Let’s throw in not exercising enough, or not exercising at all, and now you’ve gained weight. Those extra calories are laying around as fat adding to your cellulite problems and that’s only part of it.
In today’s day and age, people are just not as physical as they used to be. Do you work physically hard? Do you really use the over abundance of calories that are being consumed? And when you are eating, what are you eating? Processed foods? How many packages of sugar, or worse artificial sweeteners, are in your fourth cup of coffee? What’s in your “energy” drink? Colors #4, #5 and some artificial flavor? Is fast food on your speed dial?
How about your stress levels? Do you sleep? Maybe not enough or too much? What are you breathing in these days? Pollution, second hand smoke, paints, new car smell, new carpet, home cleaners? What are you putting on your skin? Do you really know what is in all of the lotions, make-up, shampoo and body washes you use? What about medications? Something to wake you up, something to put you to sleep, over-the-counter medicine, cough syrups, aspirin?
There are endless amounts of toxins and chemicals. All of these toxins and newly formed free radicals are banging around inside our bodies. Fortunately, our bodies are extraordinary and have the ability to remove these toxins, but at the pace we are ingesting them our bodies just can’t handle it. Toxins get built up, are not eliminated and our bodies suffer the consequences. They play a major role in the development of cellulite.
Then there are hereditary aspects such as skin thickness and the amount of fat distribution. Research shows that many components add to cellulite and have a big impact on your health.
Think of it this way. Did you ever save change? When you started saving all the different kinds of coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, the big pieces like the fifty cent coin and the dollar coin), you really didn’t even notice it adding up. After you’ve saved for a couple of years, you have enough saved to go on a great vacation for two! So how many years have you been “saving” up your toxins?
What is Cellulite?
Excess collections of fat
Toxin deposits
Thickened septa fibers
Dimpling of the skin
Fibrous tissue
Toxic emotions
The Medical Communities description of cellulite
- (Medical opinion #1) Cellulite is the popular term for deposits of fat that push against the connective tissue beneath a person’s skin, which causes the surface of the skin to dimple or pucker and look lumpy. Medically, cellulite is not considered abnormal. Cellulite is much more common in women than in men because of differences in the way fat is distributed in men’s and women's skin, muscle, and connective tissue. It is commonly found on the thighs, stomach and butt. Cellulite is actually a fancy name for collections of fat.
- (Medical opinion #2) Cellulite is also known as adiposis edematosa, dermopanniculosis deformans, status protrusus cutis, and gynoid lipodystrophy in the medical field. Cellulite is often classified using three grades. Grade 1 classification sees no clinical symptoms, but a microscopic examination of cells from the area detects underlying anatomical changes. Grade 2 cellulite requires the skin to show pastiness, be lower temperature, and have decreased elasticity. Grade 3 cellulite has visible roughness of the skin (like an orange peel) along with all grade 2 signs.
- (Medical opinion #3) The term cellulite refers to the dimpled appearance of the skin that some people have on their hips, thighs, and buttocks. This appearance is much more common in women than in men because of differences in the way fat, muscle and connective tissue (collagen bonds) are distributed in men’s and women’s skin.
Alternative medicine’s description of cellulite
- (Alternative medicine’s opinion) Cellulite is a non-scientific term defined as toxic deposits of subcutaneous fat material and fibrous tissue that are not able to be eliminated and which cause a dimpling effect on the overlying skin. These deposits most commonly occur on the thighs and hips of women. Cellulite can affect men and women of any body type, weight or size.
Wikipedia’s description of cellulite
-Cellulite is a topographic skin change that is claimed to occur in most post pubertal females. It presents itself as a modification of skin topography evident by skin dimpling and nodularity that occurs mainly in women on the pelvic region, lower limbs, and abdomen. It is caused by the herniation of subcutaneous fat within fibrous connective tissue, leading to a padded or orange peel–like appearance. Cellulite is a description rather than a physical object. The term was first used in the 1920’s and began appearing in English language publications in the late 1960’s, the earliest reference in Vogue magazine, "Like a swift migrating fish the word cellulite has suddenly crossed the Atlantic." Its existence as a real disorder has been questioned, and the prevailing medical opinion is that it is merely the "normal condition of many women".
Cosmetic companies’ description of cellulite
- (Cosmetic companies’ opinion #1) This condition is characterized by lumpy substances, which appear as tiny collections of fat under the epidermis. It worries mostly women from the age of 30, but may also appear in younger women and men.
- (Cosmetic companies’ opinion #2) Cellulite is the dimpled looking fat that frequently appears on the buttocks, thighs and hips.
In summary, if we look at the collected data, from the simple to the more complex, you realize that cellulite is really a name for the by-product of one or more factors. Excess fat deposits, hard connective tissue, fibrous tissue, and toxin buildup are all involved with the development and formation of cellulite. Anyone can develop it but especially women because of fat distribution and muscle density. And guess what? Cellulite has been around for a very long time.
What Causes Cellulite?
Eating excess calories
Certain foods
Impaired blood circulation
Impaired lymph circulation
Toxins
Medications
Hormone imbalance
Genes
Poor metabolism
Yeast overgrowth
Storing emotions
Tension and stress
Excess caffeine
Smoking
Lack of exercise
Tight clothing
Not drinking enough water
Incorrect breathing
Constipation and poor digestion
Some descriptions and opinions of causes
- The lumpiness of cellulite is caused by fat deposits that push and distort the connective tissues beneath skin, leading to the characteristic changes in appearance of the skin, which is cottage cheese-like in texture. Heredity, skin thickness, gender, the amount and distribution of body fat, and age can all influence the extent to which cellulite is present or visible.
- Cellulite is a tricky thing. For some it's an issue with elimination of toxins, for others it's a sluggish circulation system with phlegm and mucus obstruction, and finally for some it's purely a metabolism issue.
- Your lymphatic system plays an integral role in the development of cellulite. Cellulite begins with stiffening septae, which is caused by impaired blood and lymph circulation to and from the subcutaneous layer of skin. When everything is running smoothly, your capillaries are delivering fresh nutrient-rich blood to the skin and the lymph is taking away waste and toxins. When things get clogged up and blood circulation decreases, this starves and weakens the surrounding tissue and causes fluid to be retained. A decrease in lymph drainage causes the fluids that would normally carry away waste to be trapped.
The Lymphatic System
Because of the stagnant flow of blood and lymph fluid, the septae become more fibrous and pull down on underlying fat cells. This happens because cells starved of oxygen and nutrients become incorporated into the septae, thickening and hardening them. A decrease in circulation causes veins and capillaries to become weak, leaking blood into the surrounding tissue. This increases pressure in the subcutaneous layer and restricts flow even more. Finally, the increased pressure leads to a rerouting of blood flow away from the cellulite area. Septae fibers continue to thicken and fat continues to be deposited into the subcutaneous layer. Because of poor circulation, the fat and toxins cannot be effectively removed.
- What causes the toxins? Well, some think that we store the breakdown product of cells as toxins in this subcutaneous tissue. Others think that toxic emotions can be stored in the subcutaneous tissue and therefore, build up as cellulite.
- Toxicity is a major contributing factor of cellulite build up. Constipation is primarily responsible for toxins building up. When you suffer from toxic build up, those toxins need to be eliminated or they will be stored somewhere in the body as cellulite. Toxins that are not able to pass through the colon, because of constipation or fecal matter stuck to the walls of the colon, get re-released into the body and get trapped between the connective tissues. Not drinking enough water is also a problem. Drinking water is important to nourish the body and flush out any waste.
- Excess calories, alcohol, caffeine, smoking and lack of exercise all promote cellulite formation.
Without a doubt fat is a major player here, but with more and more research coming in, we can see that there are many factors that contribute to the development of cellulite.
The smart money is on a plan that consists of a multi-prong attack. There are things you can do on your own and things that require professional help. Being informed and educating yourself is key. Maybe you’ve already tried something to remove your cellulite. Was it helpful? Maybe it wasn’t. Will it work if combined with another treatment? There are many reasons cellulite can develop. Everyone’s body is unique, what will work for one may not work for another. There are numerous methods of cellulite removal and you can be successful, but you must do the work. Understanding cellulite, what it is and where it comes from, is an important first step. Now, let’s look at the methods of cellulite removal.
Methods of Cellulite Removal
-Home remedies and treatments-
Dry Brushing - Dry brushing is done to clean the lymphatic system. Lymph (interstitial fluid found in the lymphatic vessels) is considered part of our immune system and is made up of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which protect the body from antigens (viruses, bacteria, etc.) The interstitial fluid bathes our cells, bringing our cells nutrients and removing their waste. Our body’s natural detoxification occurs first through the lymph. Dry brushing helps the lymph system move toxins and debris back into the circulatory system. Filtering and purifying is done at the lymph nodes.
Lymph vessels have their own pumping mechanism. Lymph only goes one way, towards the heart. Removal of toxins through the lymph is an essential function. We can help to speed up this process by dry brushing or massaging towards the heart, contracting our muscles, or doing pretty much any physical activity.
Use a soft natural fiber brush with a long handle. On the label of the brush, it will say that it is for skin brushing. A loofah sponge can also be used. You really want to brush your whole body. Be careful not to use anything that is too hard or firm which can damage your skin.
Always dry brush your naked body before you shower. Shower afterward to clean off any dead skin.
- Use long strokes starting from the bottom of your feet moving upwards and from the hands toward the shoulders, and on the torso in an upward direction in order to drain the lymph back to your heart. (Stroking away from your heart puts extra pressure on your lymphatic system.)
- Use light even pressure.
- Be careful of sensitive body areas and do not brush cuts or damaged skin.
- To help with blood circulation to the skin, hot and cold shower therapy works well. Start with a hot shower for 30 seconds, then switch to as cold as you can handle for 30 seconds. Go back and forth five or six times.
- Step out of the shower and stimulate your skin by rubbing firmly. Massage your skin with pure plant oils such as olive, almond, coconut or cocoa butter.
- Dry brushing should be done daily.
- Clean your brush once a week with soap and water. Dry brush in a sunny spot to prevent mildew.
Massage at home – The basic technique is to grab an area of the skin where there is cellulite (about two or three inches in between your fingers and thumb), squeeze lightly around the area, and lift up gently. Continue traveling the length of the area that you are working on. Then move down or up from the area that you just worked and do the next “row.” Once you have completed the entire area, go back over the same area a second time. Follow up with squeezing the skin together, same as above, raising it and now moving it back and forth, lightly shaking, so that you are moving the skin/cellulite in a different direction then just up and down.
The main idea is to loosen up the cellulite under the skin in order to increase the circulation in that area. The squeezing and moving of the cellulite is more gentle than firm.
Sea Salt Bath - Using sea salt baths for the treatment of cellulite can be very effective. It should be noted that taking salt baths is preferable in conjunction with the use of other anti-cellulite tools and methods. One especially useful application of sea salt is salt from the Dead Sea, which is rich in magnesium, calcium, iodine and iron. Sea salt contributes to the removal of water and waste in the tissue. It does not dry the skin. To effectively treat cellulite, take a salt bath 1-2 times a week. Dissolve 2 cups of coarse sea salt crystals in hot bath water. Stay in bath for 20 minutes, then rinse under the shower with warm water and lie under a blanket for 30 minutes.
Coffee Grounds - Coffee grounds are said to be one of the most useful cellulite fighting remedies, or more appropriately, caffeine, is one of the most useful cellulite fighting ingredients out there. Caffeine is a key ingredient in many creams that fight cellulite. Caffeine on the skin increases blood flow and breaks down fat deposits.
Coffee grounds should be placed upon the skin so that the skin can absorb the caffeine. It is not helpful to ingest the coffee. As a matter of fact, drinking coffee could make your cellulite worse. A couple of cups a day won’t be a problem, but as you drink more you risk blocking the lymphatic system. This is due to the caffeine. Caffeine acts as a diuretic, dehydrating the skin cells and slowing down the circulation to the skin. When your skin cells are dehydrated, fluid-containing toxins can build up between the cells because there is no water to flush them away. Now you’re left with toxins and other debris in and under the skin.
When you apply the coffee grounds to the outside of the skin, the caffeine helps to release fat from the fat cells under the skin and helps to increase the circulation to the skin, flushing away the toxins.
It’s an inexpensive home remedy that’s easy to try. Many women, including celebrities, swear by this home remedy. This technique has actually been around for a long time, starting back in the 1950’s with Hollywood starlets. Basically, you want to do this coffee grounds remedy a couple times a week or if your cellulite is severe, three to four times per week. Make sure you are using caffeinated coffee grounds! It’s all in the caffeine.
Try these directions:
- Use fresh coffee grounds and warm up in a microwave. (Just warm them, don’t make them too hot.)
- Mix a tablespoon or so of olive oil or coconut oil with some of the coffee grounds, (you’ll make several batches), and put it right on the areas with the cellulite. Be liberal with the spread.
- Wrap up the homemade spread that you placed on your body with some plastic wrap. Leave on for ten to fifteen minutes.
- Take off the wrap and shower off the coffee grounds.
- Massage area to help increase circulation for a few minutes.
- Drink plenty of water.
Detoxification (Cleansing at home) – Body cleansing has become very important in today’s modern society due to increased environmental toxicity along with unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and lack of exercise. We expose our bodies to a tremendous amount of toxins through the food we eat, the water we drink, and the polluted environment that we live in. Eventually our bodies reach a point where they can no longer cope without a little help. While our bodies have the remarkable natural ability to remove these toxins, it can certainly help to do a natural detoxification once in a while to help get rid of the pollutants that have built up in our systems over time.
A body cleanse is also a great way to give your body a boost after a night of overindulgence. Furthermore, a detox after giving up alcohol, drugs or cigarettes is a good way to cleanse the system of harmful poisons that remain in the fatty tissue years after you’ve given up the habit. There are many cleanses you can do at home. Three major ones are the bowel, liver and kidney. There are also whole body cleanses, master cleanses, herbal cleanses, and specially designed cleanses for parasites. Some require a fast or a change in diet and others allow you to continue your food intake.
Detox Body Wrap – Detox body wraps are used to support any detoxification program. Whether you are on a fasting program, drinking detoxification tea, or just changing your diet to cleanse your system, a detox body wrap can be a great supplement to your program. The skin is the largest organ of the body and relies on sweating to eliminate toxins. You can assist this process and greatly enhance it by using a detox body wrap. Body wraps contain ingredients such as seaweeds, herbs, and salts, which are helpful in removing toxins through both metabolic stimulation and absorption. Depending on the formula that you use, you can facilitate the sweating process and also introduce beneficial minerals and vitamins to the skin to help support the detoxification process
Creams – “BestCelluliteCreams.org was created to give consumers unbiased reviews, ratings, and comparisons on the top anti-cellulite treatments on the market. Our goal is to prevent our visitors from wasting money on low quality cellulite creams and help find a reliable cellulite solution that actually works.”
They are:
Dermology
Revitol
Procellix
Murad Firm and Tone
Revitashape
Celluscience
Nivea Goodbye
Cellu-Sculpt
Legtone Serum
Fat Girl Slim
There are countless amounts of creams on the market today that say they can help in the reduction or reduced appearance of cellulite. BestCelluliteCreams.org states that they give unbiased reviews of the creams that were reviewed and tested. (Note – We do not know who owns and operates the BestCelluliteCreams.org website.) It is suggested that you talk to friends and family to see if they’ve had any success with a particular cream.
The bottom line is that creams are best known to assist in the temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite.
-Exercise and diet-
Cardio - Losing and maintaining weight is a lifelong battle for millions of people in their quest for leaner bodies and better health. Experts estimate that almost 30 million American adults are dieting to lose weight at any given time, and an equal number are gaining it back. Research indicates that leading a lifestyle that boosts your body’s usage of fat is the first step to lifelong weight management.
The higher your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate – the minimum energy required to maintain the body’s life function at rest), the more fat you will burn. Increased BMR is associated with muscle mass (strength training). The denser and more muscular you are, the faster your machine (your BMR) will burn stored fat - 24 hours a day, even while you sleep. There are endless fitness and cardio options. I highly recommend full body circuit weight training with very short rest periods to raise your BMR. Superb benefits can be achieved from Pilates and Yoga. Almost all gyms have wonderful workout classes that involve weights/cardio or just cardio. Remember, the firmer and more muscular you are, the more your internal furnace will run and consume excess calories.
You must move your body. Somehow, some way, you must move. Physical activity. Walking, not slow and see the sights walking, but walking with a purpose. Jogging, running, all cardio equipment at the gym, jumping rope, jumping jacks, rowing, climbing the stairs in your building, walking up and down a hill in your neighborhood, cycling, rollerblading, indoor and outdoor cardio classes, shadow boxing, boxing classes, dance classes, circuit training classes, classes on DVDs, kick-boxing classes… there are all kinds of options. Start slow, make it a habit and then do a little more and make that a habit. Along with burning fat, you will also be exercising your heart and opening your lungs. Greater lung capacity allows you to take in more oxygen. What’s so important about taking in more oxygen? The more oxygen you take in, the longer you can keep going. Cardio increases circulation, adds more blood to your brain, and promotes better sleep. Also, all of your cells need oxygen to function.
Strength training – Strength training can be thought of as “weight bearing” exercises. Unlike cardio or flexibility training, strength training’s aim is to promote denser, stronger muscles, tendons and ligaments. As a beginner, cardio can accomplish this to a degree, and really only in a few certain muscles. Flexibility is the lengthening of your muscles and tendons.
Free-weights, machines, bands, body-weight exercises, yoga, Pilates and medicine balls all promote stronger muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This is incorporating the principal of “Progressive Overload”. A perfect example is a mother and her newborn baby. When the baby is born, the child weighs so many pounds. After a few months the child weighs more and the mother’s muscles must accommodate to handle the new load. As the child gets heavier, mom’s muscles must constantly adapt to lift the child. So what happens here is that the muscles get stronger and firmer as the load (weight) increases. This means that the body’s metabolism needs to work harder and faster to efficiently fuel the new muscle mass with more nutrients. Body metabolism is the consumption of energy to keep the body working. Now, what does this mean to you and the removal of cellulite? As you read earlier, excess fat is a major problem with cellulite. Strength training makes muscles denser and more toned. The denser and more toned a muscle is, the more fuel it needs. And guess where it gets that fuel? Body fat!
Poor circulation is another problem with the accumulation of cellulite. Let’s say you are working on a program that includes strength training, and today you are training with free weights to work on your arms, firming up those biceps and triceps. The exercises require the contracting and extending of the arm muscles. When you do this in a series of sets and repetitions, your muscles call on extra blood to be rushed to the arm. The blood brings more nutrients and oxygen to accommodate the extra work that has been placed on these muscles, forcing your circulation to work much more efficiently.
Finally, have you ever seen anyone, (maybe even yourself), who’s lost a lot of weight and just didn’t look healthy? When you include strength training, (along with proper eating and cardio programs), and begin to lose the excess weight, you will see toned shapely muscle, giving you a truly healthy appearance.
Stretching/Flexibility – As children we all come into this world with muscles and tendons that are extremely flexible and free of tension and old injuries. Watch a toddler sit, squat, roll over and just move from one position to another. As we age this muscular structure begins to lose its elasticity. The body gets tighter. Now when you twist your ankle it’s a major problem, not like when you were younger and just got back up and continued to run. Imagine a hinge on a cabinet door. As this hinge gets older it begins to rust a little, and the door doesn’t open up all the way like it used to. More time passes and the hinge becomes quite rusted and the door opens even less. The movement of the door is limited, or completely stopped, by the lack of the hinge’s ability to move through its full range of motion. Oil the hinge to keep it moving and you keep it from becoming tight and immovable. Increase your flexibility and you increase your ability for your blood to circulate! Yoga is superb for this. There are also stretching classes and many DVDs on the subject. Stretch!
Remember, blood circulation brings healthy nutrients in and takes debris and toxins out, removing them from the body.
Exercise Tips:
- Find a workout that you like and do it at least twice a week. Schedule your workout time into your daily routine. Start slowly, make it a habit and then do a little more and make that a habit.
- Work with a coach or personal trainer who can help you with guidance and a plan that will fit you and your personality.
- You have to do the work to reap the benefits. Keep moving.
- What motivates you? A picture of how you used to look? An outfit you would love to wear? A picture in a magazine? Put that picture up where you can see it every day.
Eating programs and diets - In general, controlling your weight is not a particularly complex process. Time, patience and perseverance can accomplish wonders, regardless of the starting level or current physical condition. Nutritional recommendations can be used alone, but much greater results can be accomplished if a well-designed exercise program accompanies them. The food or fuel you provide your body can literally make or break your efforts. Knowing what, how much, and when to eat can be very confusing because it takes time to get to know your body. Your body will respond differently than anyone else’s to training, diet and supplements. Look at this as a long-term project and lifestyle change. Some things you try will work and others will not.
- Eat five meals a day. Two or three meals are simply not enough. Remember that two of those meals can be regarded as snacks. Depending on your goal, to lose weight, gain weight or gain muscle, you want to be taking in the appropriate amount of foods. In planning your daily meals or snacks, a caloric ratio of approximately one part fat, two parts protein and three parts carbohydrate is a good place to begin. Depending on the intensity of your daily workout routine and training, you may need more or less carbohydrates for energy. Fat is essential for maintaining good health, and it is needed to produce many important hormones in your body. You must consume enough protein to support growth and recovery.
- Adjust your carbohydrate intake up or down depending on your anticipated energy output. If you are going to the gym, slower digesting complex carbs are in order. If you are staying at home and watching TV, stay away from complex carbs and stick with vegetables, salads and protein.
- You cannot lose fat quickly and efficiently unless you are in a negative calorie balance, taking in fewer calories than you are burning.
- Eliminate junk food.
- One of the simplest and best things you can do for your health and well-being is to change what you drink. Eliminate all sodas, including diet sodas, period. STOP DRINKING ALL SODAS! If weight loss is your goal, eliminate fruit juices (a glass of juice is still sugar and a lot of sugar at one time), and all of the Nestea’s, Snapple’s, Gatorade’s etc… that are out there. Just drink water (preferably filtered) and homemade green tea. You can squeeze a lemon in your water; you can make your green tea and refrigerate it. There are some great companies that make quality green tea, i.e. Honest Tea. Keep it simple.
- The Glycemic Index. It helps you to understand how quickly foods get converted to sugar, blood sugar, and how quickly or slowly the sugar enters into the blood stream. Why is that important? Simply, your body has to use or store this sugar. If a lot of sugar comes in quickly, you’d better use it and burn it up, or it will be stored as fat. If the sugar comes in slowly, you have time to use it before it will be stored as fat.
- Portion control. We put too much food on our plates for what we are doing physically. I highly recommend that you measure your food. Let me be very specific, IF YOU WANT A ½ CUP OF CEREAL TAKE AN ACTUAL MEASURING CUP AND MEASURE A ½ OF CUP OF CEREAL! Don’t “eyeball it”. Until you know exactly how much you are eating, you will not know exactly how much you are eating!
- There are so many diets and programs out there, where do you start? Find someone who is trained or experienced at nutrition to assist you. Nutritionists? Yes, maybe. Many are very conservative in their nutritional approaches for people who are active in sports and fitness. Because of their training, some nutritionists are limited and can only work with the health of the relatively sedentary masses. Look for help by word of mouth. The person that you select to help you, are they in great shape? They should be.
- Know what you are eating and how much you are eating. Again, you must move. This is something that you will need to do for the rest of your life. Your well being depends on it. It’s going to take some work to acclimate to your new program, but it’s only a matter of time before your new routine becomes second nature. Little changes do big things.
-Professional treatments-
Detoxification (Cleansing)– Detox, short for detoxification, is the removal of potentially toxic substances from the body. Although detox is primarily thought of as a treatment for alcohol or drug dependence, the term is also used to refer to diets, herbs, and other methods of removing environmental and dietary toxins from the body for general health. It increases elimination from the body, cleanses the colon, enhances circulation to clear toxic substances, and provides nutrients to support and protect the liver (the main organ involved in detoxification). Elimination of the stool and urine is the body's primary method of getting rid of toxic substances. Especially important during a detox diet are regular bowel movements, which decrease the likelihood that toxins will be reabsorbed into the body.
Detoxification is a science, meaning that it has to be done right to be effective. It is also an art, meaning that if you do it correctly, you will do a thorough and deep internal cleanse. Cleansing correctly is safe, effective and feels great! One of the biggest recommendations is to first cleanse and detoxify the bowel. This is very important. By doing a cleansing and detoxifying routine, you will loosen the built-up waste material, whether it is from fat, blood, lymph, or liver, and get rid of this debris by elimination through your bowls.
Next is a liver cleanse. If you talk to radiologists and gastroenterologists who are looking at people's livers today, they will tell you that the condition called "Fatty Liver" affects more than 50% of people over the age of 50. Common causes are poor diet, excessive alcohol intake, adverse reactions to pharmaceutical drugs and toxic chemicals and viral hepatitis.
What is the liver and how does it function? The liver is your largest internal organ and it performs many functions including detoxification of the body. The liver filters toxins and also alters toxins so that they can be removed at other stages of detoxification. The liver filters toxins from one quart of blood every minute. After the liver processes these endotoxins (produced in the body), exotoxins (from outside the body) and other wastes, they are sent to the kidneys and colon for elimination.
Cleansing is a great way to help our bodies lighten the load physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is truly amazing what a thorough deep cleanse can do. It is highly recommended that you find a professional to assist you in selecting a detox that is right for you.
Deep Massage – One of the most common techniques for getting rid of unsightly cellulite is a professional massage designed to get the circulation flowing in the constricted areas where cellulite has formed. Some say that a massage is one of the most effective and popular types of cellulite treatment simply because of its immediate results. Be sure to drink plenty of water before receiving a cellulite massage, as this will also help to increase circulation and drain the toxins that have accumulated under the skin.
Body Wraps – Known as seaweed wrap, clay body wrap, Dead Sea mud wrap and herbal wrap. A simple wrap can stimulate your circulation and increase your metabolism allowing you to have more energy and lose weight more easily. One of the main things that wraps do for your body is to help your body get rid of toxins. It is a form of detoxification for your skin and your body.
It was mentioned earlier that detox body wraps are used to support any detoxification program. Whether you are on a fasting program, drinking detoxification tea, or just changing your diet to cleanse your system, a detox body wrap can be a great supplement to your program.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage - Lymphatic drainage is a holistic approach to promoting a healthy lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a complex network of vessels and ducts that moves lymph (interstitial fluid) throughout the body. It is responsible for moving toxins away from healthy cells and for carrying germ-fighting materials to cells when they are under attack by viruses. Lymphatic drainage is a type of therapy that is intended to help the body produce a free-flowing lymphatic system.
Lymphatic drainage therapy consists of a manual massage performed by a lymphatic drainage therapist. There are also therapists that use a machine to move the fluid. (Since the lymphatic system is so delicate, many practitioners do not agree with using a machine as it could possibly create too much pressure on the lymph vessels.) A lymphatic drainage massage primarily focuses on specific lymph nodes as well as the natural flow of the lymphatic system. Proponents of lymphatic drainage believe that the process will reduce blockages of the lymphatic system, which in turn promotes a healthier body. (Note - The “dry brushing” technique, under “home remedies and treatments” above, would be an excellent complement to lymphatic drainage therapy.)
Colonics - The large intestine is our body's main organ for elimination. Its main purpose is to collect and eliminate all the solid and semisolid waste from the body. The bowel acts as the body's sewage system and as you can imagine, it is a breeding ground for bacteria. Over time, fecal matter becomes compacted, stagnating on the walls of the bowel. This can cause constipation, bloating, weight gain and gas. The fecal stagnation creates a toxic environment.
One type of colonic that is used to remove toxins is the Coffee Colonic. The caffeine from the coffee goes straight to the liver where it becomes a powerful detoxifying chemical, called glutathione-S-transferase. The coffee itself also stimulates the liver to make more bile. The bile comes from the gallbladder and draws out environmental and metabolic toxins, as well as the toxins from candida albicans and other parasitic organisms. One of the colon’s jobs is to eliminate these toxins. The coffee never enters the bloodstream as long as the coffee enema is performed properly. Make sure that organic coffees are used for coffee colonics. Non-organic, instant, and decaffeinated coffees contain herbicides and pesticides that will hinder the coffee colonic’s healing properties. A certified colon hydrotherapist should administer colonics.
In addition to improving dietary choices, colon hydrotherapy (colonic) is one of the best ways to break up the hardened, fermented and putrid fecal matter. A colonic is similar to an enema. Whereas an enema only uses a pint of water to irrigate and flush, a colon hydro-therapist uses several gallons of water to reach approximately 8 feet into the colon. This procedure can be called a high colonic, colon irrigation, colonic therapy, colon cleansing, or colon detoxification. The patient lies relaxed on a table for approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Patient reactions vary, but most find themselves feeling, refreshed, more relaxed, and lighter, having lost 2-3 pounds of old fecal matter.
-Spa treatments-
Derma Laser – A technology that deploys
heat using multiple radio frequencies in three different treatment
modes that target different tissue depths, from the superficial
layers of the skin to the hypodermis. A fourth mode creates a
stronger thermal response that travels through all skin layers. Along
with the treatment of cellulite, the deep heating of subcutaneous
tissue also initiates a mechanical stretch in the skin that induces
the production of collagen, stimulates fibroblasts to enhance
collagen secretion, and enhances the elasticity of the septae,
resulting in skin tightening. The addition of Vacuum Therapy further
intensifies the treatment by facilitating deeper tissue penetration,
which increases local blood circulation, promotes lymphatic drainage
and induces lipolysis. The result is a minimized appearance of lumpy
skin, improved skin texture and a reduction in body circumference.
The Vacuum Therapy maximizes the penetration of radio frequencies
energy in the treatment area and assists in the shrinkage of fat cell
volume.
(FDA cleared for temporary
reduction in the appearance of cellulite, relief of minor muscle
spasm, and temporary improvement of local blood circulation.)
VelaShape –VelaShape is an FDA-approved, completely non-invasive treatment for cellulite reduction and body contouring. It works with a powerful combination of light, energy and specially designed rollers that work to significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite, contour your curves and reshape your body's problem areas. VelaShape uses a four-point attack on cellulite and fat. It utilizes infrared light, radio frequency (RF) energy, vacuum-pulsed negative pressure, and specially designed rollers that smooth out the skin’s surface at various points during the procedure. It is said that the specially designed cellulite treatment head is able to deliver energy up to ten times faster than previous models, meaning that clients will see results sooner. VelaShape cellulite reduction results will vary from person to person. It is non-invasive, but the rollers may cause bruising in those with sensitive or fragile skin. Those with pacemakers or implanted metal in the treatment area may not use VelaShape cellulite treatment.
Endermologie – Endermologie is one of the latest non-invasive forms of cellulite-reducing technology designed to smooth problem skin without using surgery or lasers or leaving any scars. Originally developed by a French plastic surgeon to help fade away scars from burns and surgeries, Endermologie's massage system is designed to massage away cellulite so that it's less visible. This technology uses rollers to either lift or roll skin so that its appearance is changed, decreasing fat and cellulite while creating an overall smoother appearance of the skin. Also, suction is used to redistribute the skin and remove dimpling. The designed massage techniques and tools can help to release toxins and excess water retention throughout the body and can also help to fade away scars from cosmetic procedures. Those who do not exercise regularly may see only temporary results and those over 30 pounds overweight tend not to benefit from the procedure. Drinking water on the day of procedure helps you to obtain a better result. Doctors frequently ask patients to drink eight glasses of water prior to the procedure and to continue this habit daily afterwards. If one does not maintain monthly maintenance sessions, endermologie will not permanently reduce the dimpled effect of cellulite. The effect is temporary and the system must be maintained.