Cellulite: Get Started And Get Moving!
Get Started!!!!!
In order to reduce cellulite, you need a starting point.
Many of you have written to me and asked what you should weigh. When I begin my work with clients, I do not weigh them. I measure their body fat instead.
When it comes to cellulite reduction, it's much more important to increase lean body tissue (muscle) and decrease fat. The increase in muscle tissue in your cellulite prone areas will make those areas look better.
Muscle tissue is more metabolically demanding then fat, which means that the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns, even at rest.
Muscle tissue weighs more than fat, so using a regular scale to measure yourself may not be helpful. A bodyfat measurement of more then 25% is too high for women. Some where near 20% is ideal. You do not want it to fall lower then 15% because this could negatively affect your reproductive functions as well as your bone mineral density.
If you don't have access to a certified instructor that can measure your body fat, then you may want to invest in a scale that measures body fat as well as total body weight.
There is a company online called Bodytronics that sells scales that measure bodyfat. They have 2 that are very reasonably priced. The Tanita 2204 Body Fat Scale won't cost you more then a regular scale. The Tanita UM-080 measures hydration as well as body fat which is helpful if you have a tendency towards water retention.
As a working Exercise Physiologist, I've ordered lots of equipment for taking measurements and Bodytronics is a very reputable company.
You can visit their site at:
http://bodytronics.com/page/bodytronics/SFNT&AFFIL=20427
Get Moving
Exercise and movement is very important in reducing the appearance of cellulite. I specifically like walking, but not just any kind of walking. I'd like to tell you about the "Cellulite Walk".
When walking to reduce cellulite, you first want to make sure that your posture is correct. Your pelvis should be in a neutral position, which means that your backside is not sticking out but it's not completely pushed forward either. Roll your shoulders up, back and around so that your chest is slightly pushed out. Keep your abdominals "engaged" and tight.
When you start walking, push off on your heel so that you are walking in a heel-toe motion. Be sure that your heel hits the ground firmly so that you can feel the movement all the way up through your backside. Let your arms swing naturally. While doing this motion, try to visualize your cellulite prone areas becoming cellulite free.
It's a good idea to get lots of "steps" of this motion into your routine. One of the best ways to monitor the amount of steps that you take is with a pedometer.
Pedometers are one of my favorite tools when working with clients that need to get more movement into their lives. Pedometers count the amount of steps that you take. You wear it all day, not just when exercising. The goal of most programs that use pedometers is 10,000 steps, which is something you may need to work up to gradually.
Bodytronics offers an excellent assortment of pedometers at extremely reasonable prices. Their ProStep Deluxe Step Counter is the one most often mentioned in the Exercise Physiology world, but there are others which may suit your needs better. These are also available on their site:
http://bodytronics.com/page/bodytronics/SFNT&AFFIL=20427
Don't forget to be patient when it comes to seeing progress. It may have taken a while for that cellulite to form on your body, so stick with it and over time it will become smaller and smaller and possibly disappear completely!
Courtesy of http://conqueryourcellulite.com
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