Beat Cellulite So You Can Bare Hall
NUTRITION expert Amanda Ursell says: "In my experience, if you are overweight, losing some excess does help fight cellulite. Slim women do still get it, but it is always helped by burning off fat.
5 eating tips to help
1. Keep your salt intake to less than 3g a day - the equivalent to 1.25g of sodium.
Excess salt causes the body to retain fluid, some of which pools in the fluid-filled sacs in the thighs and makes cellulite look more pronounced.
Around 75 per cent of our salt intake comes from processed foods, so to cut down on salt, eat as few of these as possible and throw out your salt cellar.
2. Try to eat your five-a-day fruit and vegetables. They are rich in potassium which helps the kidneys remove excess water from our bodies and reduce fluid retention.
Putting tips one and two into action can help you to lose up to 3lb of water in about five days.
While this will make you feel happy when you look at the scales, it should also help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
3. Make sure you have protein-rich foods such as eggs, fish, chicken, turkey, lean red meat, Quorn, tofu, milk, soya milk or pulses at every meal.
Protein is crucial for strong, healthy connective tissue and skin. If either becomes weak and over-stretched, cellulite lurking below the surface becomes more visible.
Life's a beach ... and you want to look your best when you're bathing
4. Put oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines regularly in your weekly food plan and include foods like omega 3-rich eggs.
Essential fats from omega 3 seem to improve blood flow around the body. In areas affected by cellulite, this may again boost the quality of connective tissue and skin and improve the problem.
5. Some creams and lotions appear to be effective in helping to reduce the appearance of cellulite, especially those containing caffeine.
Top model Cindy Crawford is even said to rub coffee into her legs and bottom to help ward off cellulite.
The ultimate home workout
CLOCKWORK LUNGES
TONES and strengthens every inch of your thighs.
TRY IT: Stand with feet hip-width apart, then take a big step to the side with your right foot.
Lower into a lunge position. Your right knee should be behind your toes, your back straight and your tummy lifted.
Pushing through your right heel, return to the starting position.
Repeat the step but this time lunge your right foot forward, then your left foot to the side, and finally your left foot backwards until you have completed four lunges to over 360 degrees.
But be warned, they are not cures and so must be used in conjunction with a good diet and plenty of the right exercise.
TIPTOE SQUATS
TONES and strengthens every muscle in your bum, legs and thighs.
TRY IT: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold both arms straight out in front of you. Squat down, squeezing your buttocks as you do so and using your arms to help you balance.
As you bring yourself back up, lift up on to your toes and put your arms out in front of you again.
Hold this position for a couple of seconds, then lower into the next squat. Do three sets of 15 reps.
DOUBLE DUTY SQUATS
TONES and strengths inner and outer thighs.
TRY IT: Stand with your feet wider than hip-width apart, feet pointing outwards.
Slowly lower your body down into a squat, keeping your back straight and tummy muscles pulled in.
Keep your knees in line with your toes throughout.
Lower as far as you can, hold for a few seconds then push back to the start position and repeat for three sets of 15 reps.
EXPLOSIVE SQUATS
TONES and strengthen every muscle from your bottom to your calves.
TRY IT: Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.
Squat down, and then jump off the ground, landing back in the start position.
As you land, make sure your knees are bent to absorb the impact into the muscles.
Aim for three sets of 15 reps, taking three seconds to squat down and one to jump up.
Remember to breathe in as you slowly lower your body, and then out as you jump back up.
LUNGE AND LENGTHEN
TONES and elongates your legs and thighs.
TRY IT: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, then take a big step backwards with your right foot and lower into a lunge position.
Lift your hands above your head.
Lean forwards as you take your right foot off the floor and squeeze your buttocks.
Your body should form a straight line from your fingertips to your right foot.
Hold for as long as you can, then lower back into the lunge and repeat six times on each leg.
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