By Kati • 13 Comments
Cellulite is a hot topic at the moment. You probably saw those amazing photos of Iggy Azalea on her holidays – and I bet your first thoughts weren’t about her cellulite, unless you saw them in a gossip mag that was handily pointing them out. Don’t we all have cellulite, though? It’s a totally normal thing – and Iggy was so down about the reaction that she quit Twitter. If you’re freaking out about your cellulite – or someone else's – here are the facts you need to know.
It’s a common misconception to believe that cellulite only affects the overweight or obese. It’s just not true. You don’t need to be, or have been, overweight to get cellulite. Cellulite is the appearance of fat deposits on the skin, which gives that lumpy, dimpled appearance. You can have it whether you weigh 8 stone or 28 stone. It can be caused by your diet, your hormones, your clothes, your genetics, your habits… almost anything. Don’t assume that cellulite = fatness.
Yep, I really mean that. Almost everyone has cellulite, and if you don’t have it yet, chances are you will get it. It’s just something that people get at some point in their life. Now photoshop is a useful tool when it comes to hiding cellulite, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Kim Kardashian has cellulite, Scarlett Johnasson, Jessica Alba…there’s a huge list of celebrity women who are GORGEOUS and have cellulite. Those things aren’t mutually exclusive.
Getting rid of cellulite isn’t easy. It’s definitely not as simple as deciding that you want it gone. Exercise, for example, is one of the best ways to get rid of it – but it’s often slow progress and there are no guarantees. Your diet is hugely important, too. In short, there is no miracle cure for cellulite, except for cosmetic surgery, and that’s costly, painful and often requires repeating over the years to keep cellulite at bay.
There’s a whole host of products which claim to help you reduce cellulite. They might aim to stop it forming in the first place, or to smooth skin and make it less noticeable. Most of them won’t work, though, and the ones that do, tend to be quite expensive. Some might work for some people and not for others. Smearing yourself in a variety of expensive lotions every evening isn’t likely to turn you into a cellulite-free goddess.
It’s really not. Don’t miss out on rocking an ultra-cool bikini or gorgeous shorts because you’re worried that people will look at your cellulite. For a start, you’re not likely to have a host of paparazzi following you around, or a fashion editor with a red pen keen to point out that you’re only human. Then you’ve got the fact that nobody really cares, and everyone is much more interested in someone who is owning their body issues and having fun than someone who is covered up and hiding away. Be bold and definitely don’t be ashamed.
Cellulite might be caused by lots of different factors, but there are things that you can do to prevent more from forming. Cellulite tends to form in areas where there is little circulation, so do everyday energizing movements and skin warming exercises. Running, swimming and brisk walking are brilliant for increasing blood circulation and loosening fat tissue! Once you’re home, body brushing on a daily basis will help, too.
It’s really not. Move around as much as you can, whether it’s going for a run or just walking around during your breaks at work. Use a body brush every day, and avoid refined and processed foods, along with high fat products. Don’t search yourself for cellulite, though, and don’t stress. It’s really not important to anyone. Don’t let it be important to you, either.
Iggy might not be feeling too confident at the moment, but we all know that she’s amazing. Know that about yourself, too. Cellulite isn’t a judgement on you, or your personality. It’s not anything, really. Don’t give it another moment's thought – and if you do, use it as an excuse to go and get fit and fill your mind with excellence, rather than stressing about how to cover your thighs or bum. Nobody else will notice, or mind. Honest. What do you think about cellulite? Leave a comment and let me know!