How to Get Rid of Upper Leg Cellulite
Any woman, overweight or thin, is susceptible to cellulite. Cellulite refers to the lumpy, dimply appearance of the skin caused by excess fat bulging out through connective tissues. The upper thighs, where many women store excess fat, is one of the most common areas for cellulite to occur, but there are several ways to diminish its appearance.
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Reduce overall body fat. According to Martica Heaner, Ph.D., M.Ed., Manhattan-based exercise physiologist and nutritionist, there is not much biological difference between cellulite and regular body fat. Therefore, Heaner says the most effective method for reducing cellulite is to reduce overall excess body fat. This is done with the tried-and-true method of reducing calorie intake while increasing the number of calories burned through physical activity. The more excess fat you lose, the smoother skin will look as the cellulite diminishes.
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Build muscle. Lean muscle mass can help you appear firmer and more toned all over. But according to Wayne Westcott, Ph.D., adviser for "Prevention" magazine, the average woman loses five pounds and replaces it with 15 pounds of fat every 10 years of her adult life. This can add to the appearance of cellulite. "Because fat is exceptionally soft, it doesn't keep our skin taut like muscle does. It also takes up more space, so it bulges out," Westcott says. By building muscle all over with strength and toning exercises, you can reduce body fat and cellulite and make your thighs look smoother and firmer.
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Try yoga. Some experts claim that yoga exercises can help get rid of cellulite by increasing lymph circulation. "Cellulite is a symptom of reduced lymph circulation. Yoga helps lymph flow more freely through fatty areas, flushing toxins and reducing cellulite," says Atma JoAnn Levitt, head of the weight-loss program at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, Massachusetts. Levitt recommends performing inverted poses, such as the modified shoulder-stand and plow pose, every other day to help fight cellulite.
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Eat a cellulite-busting diet. According to Self.com, a healthy diet can help combat cellulite from within. "Including specific foods that hydrate skin, build collagen and prevent fat storage in your healthy diet may help keep cellulite at bay," says Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association in Sarasota, Florida. Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C help prevent collagen breakdown in the skin, and fiber-rich whole grains prevent insulin surges that lead to increased fat storage.
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Try a cellulite cream. While no topical cream has been scientifically proven to eliminate cellulite, some creams on the market do help improve the appearance of dimply skin on the upper thighs. Many cellulite creams contain caffeine or coffee extract, which tightens blood vessels and temporarily plumps the skin. Other creams contain antioxidants or anti-inflammatory ingredients that stimulate blood flow, temporarily smoothing skin's appearance.
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