Category: Beauty

Darn you Cellulite, that bumpy appearance underneath the skin! Nobody likes it, nobody wants it, and everyone wants to get rid of it!

Unfortunately, there is no way to rid yourself of cellulite and no way to prevent it. Cellulite is almost completely genetic so you do not have control over whether or not you will have it and when or where it will appear.

Cellulite does not just appear because you are heavy, have a bad diet or don’t exercise. It can appear in the healthiest and thinnest of people.

Luckily, there are ways that you can control or reduce it!

The photo above is of me after 8 months of applying my 5 ways to control and reduce cellulite. I specifically targeted the areas of my thighs and glutes. I certainly felt that there was a difference in the tightness and smoothness of my skin as well as the definition and muscle development of those targeted areas.

Here are my 5 ways to control and reduce cellulite:

1. Exfoliate
2. Massage
3. Moisturize
4. Exercise
5. Nutrition

I am going to discuss each one and share my daily routine.

The first two things I do when I am in the shower at least 4x during the course of the week and they include:

Exfoliate

In the shower after washing my body I exfoliate the targeted areas where cellulite is an issue. To do this I use an anti-cellulite sponge from Spongeables. I get this sponge at Ulta.

I love this sponge because it has ingredients contained in it that are supposed to help with cellulite and at the same time begins the moisturizing and massaging process.

I scrub the sponge on my skin for about 30-60 seconds each area with a circular motion.

Massage

Although, the anti-cellulite sponge does some massaging, it does not get deep enough. What I like to do is penetrate the skin a little deeper with a silicone vacuum cup massage. I also do this in the shower after I have exfoliated the area with the sponge.

I got my silicone cup from choicest one for less than $10.

I use coconut body oil together with the vacuum cup to get a massage that penetrates deep below the surface of the skin to help breakup those fatty areas. My favorite body oil is Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration and I also get that at Ulta. This oil leaves my skin so soft and smooth.

To massage I first rub the oil on my skin and then use the vacuum cup to massage the area for about 1-2 minutes. Do this on all areas where you have cellulite.

I leave any excess oil on my skin for hydration and do not use soap to wash off.

The next thing I do directly after the shower and that is:

Moisturize

Even though I have already used moisturizing elements from both the exfoliating sponge and the body oil in the shower, I moisturize my skin outside the shower while my skin is still moist.

To do this I use a regular unscented lotion for my body. For the areas that are prone to cellulite I use a skin firming lotion such as Jergens Skin Firming Lotion which you can get at any drug store.

The last two things I do on a daily/weekly basis and they include:

Exercise

Obviously, the better in shape you are the better chance you have of controlling and reducing cellulite which makes exercise an extremely important factor. For exercise there are two things you are going to want to do and they are cardio and strength training.

Cardio will be important to reduce your overall body fat. You will not be able to reduce fat in the areas specifically where you get cellulite but, by reducing overall body fat you will be reducing the fat in those areas as well.

Strength training will be important to develop muscle that will help keep the skin tight and reduce body fat. Developing muscles specifically in the areas where you have cellulite will reduce the overall appearance.

I add an extra workout a week targeting those specific muscles in the areas where I have the most cellulite. I do several exercises that hit all the muscles of my upper thighs, hips and glutes. I make sure I use enough weight to encourage muscle growth and development.

Nutrition

Last but certainly not least, healthy balanced nutrition is another huge factor in cellulite control and reduction. If you do all the things above and have a high fat, low nutritious diet you will certainly have a hard time controlling cellulite.

Eat a balanced diet from all food groups including lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats. Watch portion sizes as well as calories in versus calories out for your day to day. Make sure you are not taking in too many excess calories that will lead to fat storage.

These 5 things may not eliminate or even prevent cellulite, but if you do all 5 combined on a daily and weekly basis you are sure to help control and possibly reduce the appearance of it. For everyone results will vary and will not come in a day. This will take time, patience and a constant regimen that needs to be followed to have any possible results.

The right kind of food can be so nourishing for the body. The nourishment we receive from food can be more then what we acquire in our daily diet.

There are many foods that can nourish the body externally and one of my favorite combos is oatmeal and coconut oil. The exfoliating factor of oatmeal combined with the moisturizing effects of coconut oil make a great natural facial and body scrub or mask.

Here is how you can make your very own natural facial/body scrub and mask:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Making Mixture:

1. Blend oats to a fine powder using blender.
2. Heat oil in a glass jar using microwave for 10-20 seconds until warm.
3. Add coconut oil to oats and mix together well.

How to Apply:

1. Wet face and hands with warm water.
2. Scoop out a teaspoon amount of mixture, add a drop of warm water and rub between hands.
3. Apply to face massaging skin lightly, add water if dry to moisten and adhere to skin. It will be lumpy on face.
4. Leave on face and allow to dry for about 10-15 minutes.
5. Rinse off in sink or shower.
6. Use the rest of the mixture in shower to scrub body.
7. Wash body first with soap and then scrub body with oatmeal and coconut mixture. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

This will leave skin feeling smooth and soft. Best part is it’s inexpensive and smells like an oatmeal cookie, yum!

Here is a wonderful natural hot oil treatment I just love to use on my hair. Lots of foods we eat are also great to use as treatments on the external parts of our body. What is great about that, is if you are using them in your meals, then you most likely already have them on hand.

This is what I do to put moisture back into my hair. Add equal parts of olive oil and coconut oil to a microwave safe glass bowl. Heat in microwave for 30 seconds until warm. You can apply this to your hair one of two ways:

1. Take the oil treatment into shower. Wash hair first to remove any dirt or product from hair. Squeeze hair to remove excess water, leaving hair just damp. Apply the hot oil and let sit for at least 5 minutes. Rinse out oil and wash hair throughly at least two times and then condition as usual.
2. Apply oil to dry hair (if you use a lot of product you should wash hair first and apply to damp hair), Wrap a towel around your head and let sit for at least 5-10 minutes. Rinse out oil and wash hair throughly at least two times and then condition as usual.

Hair may appear a bit oily after your first wash, it is best to air dry and then place in a bun, braids or other updo. Next time you wash all oils will be removed and hair will be soft, shiny and smooth.

Another tip for applying, pour the warm oil into a travel shampoo bottle to help distribute it into the hair.

Do this once a week or a few times a month!