Types of Cellulite
There are three types of cellulite: - Oedema (water)
- Adipose (fatty)
- Fibrous (hardened tissue)
1) Oedematous: Looks puffy and feels spongy to the touch
Commonly found in people suffering from water retention, taking HRT, or standing a lot at their place of work. The lymphatic system does not have a pump or prime mover like the heart, therefore this person needs to drink more water and take more exercise to assist the body in draining the waste.
TIP: Diet should consist of low salt/sodium and high potassium. Natural diuretics such as celery, watercress, parsley, fresh fruit and vegetables, preferably raw, also help.
2) Adipose: Soft to the touch and visible as large dimples
Adipose cellulite is normally found on someone who has a slow metabolism or is slightly overweight; their adiposities will have a reasonable amount of fat droplets stored within them. This person is not necessarily overweight all over, but may hold excess fat in a particular area such as waist, thighs or buttocks.
TIP: Walking along the floor on the buttocks will help break down the fat globules, also exercise at 40 – 60% of the maximum heart rate to help burn off the fat.
3) Fibrous: Firm to the touch and looks less severe than it actually is
Fibrous cellulite is normally found on someone with good muscle tone who has or is exercising on a regular basis. If one exercises beyond the body’s natural ability to dispose of excess by-products from metabolism, then lactic acid, toxins and other waste can hang in the system and harden around the fat cells.
TIP: If the exercise is causing aching the next day then the body has over metabolized. More moderate exercise with stretching rather than cardiovascular would help. Fibrous is the most difficult cellulite to shift.
Go to part 3