Cellulite… every girls worst enemy. What is cellulite, anyway? Cellulite is the result of a layer of fat that everyone has beneath the skin pushing against the connective tissue, causing skin to dimple and appear bumpy. Most people will experience cellulite, and women are especially prone, due to their higher percentage of body fat.
I wanted to hit the books and research ways and techniques that were safe for preventing and reducing cellulite. After doing some research, I compiled some of the most common causes of cellulite, and my favorite counterpart remedies.
Contributing cause : Insufficient lymph and blood flow
Remedy: Dry brushing *Found to be one of the most effective remedies
-Brush in circular motions towards the heart wherever you have cellulite.
-Use a dry, natural bristled skin brush against dry skin, ideally before showering.
-Work your way up from one minute of brushing a few times a week, to a few minutes of brushing daily.
Remedy: Exercise
Stimulate blood flow and target problem areas.
-If you sit for a majority of the day, take any opportunity you get to at least stand up for a minute, and walk around if you can!
-Try interval or burst type exercises.
-Run or walk for 30 minutes each day.
-Many of us experience cellulite near our butt and thighs- try squats, lunges, and other exercises to target those areas.
Contributing cause: Skin thinning, chemical-laden skin care
Remedy: Switch to natural beauty products when you can!
-Use olive or coconut oil to moisturize.
-Rub juniper oil on areas with cellulite.
-Scrub skin with coffee grounds in the shower. *Found to be one of the most effective remedies!
Remedy: NourishMint Coffee-Coconut-Cinnamon Scrub
1 part ground cinnamon
2 parts coconut oil
4 parts coffee grounds
Combine into a paste and scrub on areas with cellulite while in the shower. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off.
Contributing cause : Slow metabolism
Remedy: Lemon water with ginger and cayenne
-Simply squeeze fresh lemon juice into your water, and stir in a pinch of cayenne and ginger powder.
-Opt for hot “tea”! Simmer cayenne and fresh ginger in water for 5-10 minutes, then add your lemon juice and drink up.
-Drink three times a day.
Remedy: Green tea
-Drink up to 3 cups a day.
Contributing cause: Poor collagen production
Remedy: Flaxseed
-Sprinkle flax seed in your smoothies, salads, oatmeal, etc.
-Use ground flax seed and flax seed oil for baking and cooking.
Remedy: NourishMint Chai Jello cubes (Gelatin)
1 T Great Lake’s Hydrolyzed Beef Gelatin
1 C boiling water
2 Bengal spice tea bags
2 T full fat coconut milk
Brew the tea with boiling water. Once it’s steeped, remove the tea bags. Stir in the gelatin and dissolve completely. Add the coconut milk and stir. Optional to sweeten with 1 T honey or 10 drops of stevia. Pour into glass storage container. Refrigerate until set, 2-3 hours.
After reviewing everything, it is apparent that many of the remedies also double as a means of detoxing or reducing exposure to toxins.
It is safe to say that toxins have an effect on the likelihood of developing, preventing, and reducing cellulite. There are many ways to detox, but some basic principles include staying hydrated – drinking enough water to flush your body of toxins, as well as eating a high alkaline diet – more fresh fruits and veggies, less processed and refined foods! Not only is detoxing important for combating cellulite, but it will have a positive impact on overall health. It is no surprise that when we nourish from the inside, the results translate on the outside! By Sierra B.
