Healthy Habits for Getting Rid of Cellulite

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Healthy Habits for Getting Rid of Cellulite

Take a look in the mirror in your underwear or swimsuit... Do you see the telltale signs of cellulite on your thighs or buttocks?

You know what we're talking about. Cottage cheese, dimpled skin, a waffle-like grid of fat. Whatever you want to call it, if you weigh more than you should, you probably have a spot or two where cellulite shows up.

Here's the curious thing about cellulite. It's not even a real medical term. It's simply become a household term after being circulated by fat-loss diet, supplement, and device hucksters for decades.

In fact, the American Medical Association says there is "no medical condition known or described as cellulite." If you have dimpled skin in areas where you're carrying excess fat, that's all cellulite really is. It's not really any different than fat stored elsewhere in your body.

But it shows up in those unwanted places, typically because the underlying muscle tissue isn't strong enough to push against the layer of fat and get rid of that cottage-cheese look, says Dr. Gerald Imber, plastic surgeon and researcher in New York.

Is there anything you can do about cellulite? Yes. But there isn't a quick fix. Fat-reduction procedures like liposuction aren't guaranteed to reduce the appearance of cellulite. And most fat-loss products make big promises but don't deliver the expected results.

Your best option: Adjust your diet so you're in a slight calorie deficit. For example, if you cut your daily calorie intake by just 350 calories a day (That's as easy as swapping a candy bar and soda for an apple and a glass of water.), you could lose about a pound of fat in 10 days.

Combine a healthy diet with exercises (like lunges, squats, deadlifts, hip bridge, etc.) that help build muscle in those dimpled-skin areas, and you'll see results over time.

Bottom line: There's no quick fix to cellulite. A calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise are your best options to change the way your body looks.

Need help with meal planning to reach your weight loss goal? Just check out our selection of Portion Control meals made from fresh ingredients and easy to prepare in the microwave.