Monday Motivation – Cellulite

Have you ever struggled with cellulite? Most women have...including me. Since puberty, I've struggled with little ripples and dimples in my thighs. I've tried everything. Apple cider vinegar, dry brushing, coffee scrubs, exercise, water...you name it, I've probably done it. However, if you are in the same boat as I am, I do have a solution for you.

For the past couple of months, I've been working on foam rolling. This is something that I tried but never continued because it hurt and I wasn't consistent. Unfortunately, I found that consistency was key and my cellulite began to disappear.

I am a huge proponent of loving who you are and accepting yourself, however, there are times when things as little as cellulite can damage your confidence. It did for me for so many years. The thing is, cellulite isn't just dimples in your thighs, it's a build-up of toxins. Why would I want these toxins to sit in my body? I wanted to get rid of those toxins so that my body would work properly again. This is when I began to search for solutions.

This was the first picture I had ever posted that shows my cellulite. This is before I started foam rolling.

I can't remember how far back this was but, at one point I had written a post about fascia. To refresh your memory, fascia is the thin layer of tissue that covers your muscles and organs, holding them in place. When fat underneath the fascia builds up, it can cause the fascia to stretch, creating a "lumpy" effect. Fat carries with it toxins. You don't want an overabundance of fat cells because of this fact.

Let's back up for a quick sec. There are two types of cellulite. One type can be easily avoided through regular exercise, eating well, and hydration. Usually this type goes away quickly because the body of the person affected just needed a little boost to force it to start flushing out the toxin build-up. The other type is deeper and requires a little more work. This is the type quite a few people struggle with. Their bodies aren't able to flush out those toxins properly, for whatever reason, and need some extra help.

Okay, let's get back to foam rolling. When I asked my grandmother (a Naturopathic doctor) if she had any solutions, she told me that I need to start breaking down the fat cells that lived under my fascia. Another thing she mentioned was that if it hurt, that meant that I needed it. Well, I tried it and I ate well, I drank lots of water, and kept up my exercise routines, and what do you know! It started to disappear!

After only two weeks rolling each section of my legs for 30 seconds each, I noticed that my legs looked smoother. It hurt for the first couple days but as I continued, the pain decreased and I was able to put a little more pressure on the tough areas (my hips, butt, and above my knees). Cellulite like mine can take up to a year to get rid of as long as you are consistent.

If you look closely at my thighs, there is still some cellulite, but it's so much better than it was in the above picture.

Drinking a lot of water helps your body rid itself of toxins. Add a little apple cider vinegar and you can help that process along much faster. Eating a healthy diet full of lean proteins and fresh vegetables keeps your digestive system working properly and prevents the storage of excess fat. Exercising get lymph flowing with is important for immune function and removing toxins from the body. All of this paired with foam rolling it the best way to rid yourself of those pesky dimples.

The reason why I wanted to share this with you today is because I wanted you to know that if you are struggling with this same issue, you are not alone. I'm a Personal Fitness Trainer and I struggle with cellulite. It's been a constant pain in my backside.

Your motivation for today is to join me on this journey. Let's do this together and keep each other motivated! You can even post pictures on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #adancersdiarycellulitechallenge to see other people's journeys. You can do this!

So, if you are going to join me, here is the plan:

1. Eat well

2. Stay hydrated (remember, if you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated)

3. Exercise 4-5 days a week with a cardio focused workout 2x/week

4. Foam roll each "trouble area" for 30 sec. using a foam roller like the one below

5. Avoid stress

I look forward to seeing your journey! Let me know if you have any questions.

Until next time,

Amanda