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What is the best way to get rid of cellulite?

By Anonymous February 17, 2009 - 12:46pm
 
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Since my hormonal imbalance and loss of periods, my skin and muscle tone has greatly diminished and the cellulite is just awful!

I have been on Bio HRT for 4 months now (this is when my periods stopped)and it has helped my other symptoms (night sweats, moods, hot flashes, foggy thinking etc)but the cellulite and weight gain is a problem.

I just turned 50 and I have never been overweight. I am 5'-5" and 124lbs, which is now 10 pounds heavier than a year ago. I am still not considered overweight except that the extra weight has collected around my belly, hips and thighs.

I have always been active although I do not exercise. I walk for fresh air but that is about it. Nothing else has changed except that I lost my spouse in the last 2 years. It was a very stressful time and I went through periods of depression. I believe all of this led to the hormonal imbalance.

Weight gain and cellulite. Please help me!!

Add a Comment5 Comments

The problem with claims that a cream can "cure" cellulite is that there is no substantial amount of evidence that topical applications can penetrate the skin to the underlying layer of fatty tissue that causes the condition.


"Never say never, but at this point there's nothing to suggest that these products can improve cellulite," [Dr. Molly Wanner, a dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and an instructor at Harvard Medical School] says. That's because there's more to removing it than shrinking fat cells. Unless a product can fundamentally change the structure of skin, she says, the bulges will remain.

Source: Little proof of cellulite cream success, L.A. Times, Nov. 3, 2008

Also see:
Caffeine Is Latest Anti-Cellulite Weapon Do They Work? We'll Put Them To The Test CBS News, Nov. 1, 2007

Do anti-cellulite creams work? Medical News Today, 30 June, 2003

Hundreds of creams promise to get rid of unsightly cellulite. But do they work or will they just rub you the wrong way? WebMD.com (video)

February 19, 2009 - 5:41pm

I used to have pretty bad cellulite which only got worse after my pregnancy. I had it mostly around my inner thighs and bottom and a bit on my tummy as well. I tried eating more healthy food and did a lot of exercise as well which friends and family members recommended but my skin was still lumpy and floppy. I then recently read an article by a lady who claimed to have got rid of her cellulite by using a particular cream. I tried it and it worked pretty well. It took a couple of weeks but my skin had improved a lot and I managed to get rid of my cellulite completely. You can read more about the lady's article at this site:

http://www.cellulitezapped.com/

February 19, 2009 - 2:05am

I'm so sorry about the loss of your spouse. Other than that sad and difficult period in your life, you sound like me 7 years ago!

I once spent a small fortune on a special, French massage cream supposedly formulated to "erase" cellulite. Well, let's just say that it really didn't, in spite of nearly rubbing my thighs raw every day. Muscle tone does more to reduce the appearance of cellulite than topical creams, I think. Exercise is the only way to build muscle tone. Even a daily 30-minute walk will be beneficial.

A "tanned" look also helps. Then again, a naturally tanned look makes you look healthier. I personally prefer the daily moisturizers that contain a bit of self-tanning color than the self-tanners alone. The scent is less noticeable, too.

Have you had your cholesterol checked? Is your diet relatively low in saturated fats and higher in lean protein and fresh produce? Do you drink enough water?

February 17, 2009 - 6:50pm

I hear you on the cellulite issue!

The only thing I've found that works is to try to minimize it's appearance. Self-tanners work well, as the cellulite isn't as easy to see on darker skin.

February 17, 2009 - 2:21pm

I am so sorry you have been through this stressful time.

From first reading your message, it sounds like your weight gain is from your HRT, although you have only been taking that for 4 months, and your 10 pounds of weight gain has occurred over the last year...is this correct?

One mention about your weight. You are concerned about your weight gain, but did you know that (according to BMI measurements), that your BMI is 20.6, which is a very healthy range! Your previous BMI of 19.0 (a year ago, when you were 5' 5" and 114) is dangerously close to being underweight (underweight is below 18.5). From these numbers alone, you sound like you are healthier now, after gaining some weight. Have you ever had a health care provider talk with you about being underweight?

I understand your question and concern about not wanting to gain more weight. With the recent stressful and life-altering events that you have experienced, do you feel that the weight gain is only from the HRT, or have you changed your eating habits as well? You mentioned that you are active, but do not exercise. Is it possible that some of the weight you have gained is from not exercising or burning as many calories as you are consuming (as our bodies age, we may not burn as many calories by just "being active").

I wish I could tell you a special remedy for cellulite and weight loss, but the only effective strategy that you can do is add exercise to your daily routine to lose excess weight. There are many supplements, creams and other products that claim to help eliminate cellulite, but unfortunately, none of them have been proven to effectively eliminate it.

Are you able to add exercise to your regular lifestyle, in order to avoid gaining more unwanted weight?

February 17, 2009 - 2:09pm
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