Women of all age and sizes are often horrified by the effects of cellulites on their form. This is an affliction that has no favourites and women irrespective of color race age or any other pattern are affected by cellulites. This is essentially caused by excessive subcutaneous deposition of fats that tend to poke out or give the form of dimples. There is no fixed root cause of this but could be manifested for factors as varied as hormones to genes. Essentially an outcome of change in metabolism pattern this may be a result of activity of hormones like estrogen, adrenaline, insulin and/ or thyroid. Genes may play a role as can stress in the life style.
Is it a disease?
Cellulite is medically not a disease. It is just a manifestation of fat deposition under the skin. Factors that may influence the occurrence of cellulites are:
Diet- both poor diet or following of fad diets may lead to cellulites
Slow metabolism- this leads to excess fat accumulation in the body
Lack of physical activity- this is again a factor towards fat deposition
Hormone changes- various hormones lead to altering the metabolic process
Dehydration- This leads to change in skin constitution causing manifestation of the sub-cutaneous deposits
Thickness of skin- a thinner skin constitution leads to easier manifestation of the effects of cellulites as compared to a thicker skinned person.
Exercise in curing cellulites
The primary region for fat deposition that leads to cellulite is round the pelvic regions, which are the abdomen, thigh and butt. While creams, liposuctions and massages may give relief, the best form of working on this is through exercises. Cardiovascular exercises that lead to burning of the fat and strength training ones which firms and tones up the muscles particularly the glutes help in controlling cellulites. A variety of squats and lunges directed to this group of muscles would lower the effects of cellulites. Basic cardio would overall lower fat and help control cellulites. It is to be noted that a woman adds about 15 lbs of fat to her body while losing 5 lbs of muscle from her body every 10 years of her adult life. Consequently an exercise regimen to control the fat and supplement the muscles is required. A balancing of this in itself will go a long way to controlling cellulites.
BY SOUMYASHREE CHATTERJEE
