In my upcoming ebook, I outline exactly how to eat and what I did to get rid of my cellulite, make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter to get the details!
I’ve found that most people think cellulite is genetic, that no external factors are at play and that there is little that can be done about the appearance of cellulite. It is what it is. Except it’s not. While genetic factors are at play, you can still minimize the appearance of cellulite (without squatting your ass off).
Cellulite is subcutaneous fat that causes dimpling of the skin and upwards of 80% of women are plagued with it. It happens to thin women, to overweight women, and to fit women. It happens to me! The cause of cellulite will vary from person to person.
Genetics, diet, exercise, toxins, and lifestyle are all potential causes; there really is no one universal cause of cellulite.
For me, it was diet and likely a small amount of genetics (I do not like to put much blame on my genetics when I know that I can influence genetic expression). But even before I turned 20, I started noticing cellulite on my upper thighs. What started out as dimpling got worse and worse. I eventually developed deep ridges and an overall lumpy and uneven tone.
At the time I was in and out of veganism and vegetarianism – I was eating a lot of vegetables and fruits, whole grains and lean proteins. The ideal diet, right? Wrong. This is one of the worst ways to eat, not to mention that my diet was extremely high in omega-6 fatty acids and extremely low in omega-3 fatty acids.
I hadn’t yet even started my nutrition certification so it didn’t occur to me that diet may be a factor until I discovered the work of Dr. Weston A. Price. Dr. Price spent years traveling the world to study cultures untouched by modern civilization and diet. He found that they do not suffer from western diseases like tooth decay, cancer, depression, obesity, or diabetes. This led me to learn about more traditional cultures, to read books, look and pictures and watch documentaries about uncontacted tribes. While cellulite does exist in traditional cultures, it is rare and less severe than what people often experience today.
Diet
So the first step I took was to clean up my diet. This took a long time and a shit ton of experimenting. It feels like I tried every diet under the sun until I found the easiest and most effective one: eat what your ancestors ate – unprocessed, traditional, organic foods.
Eat healing foods, eat bone broth and ferments, eat liver, eat nutrient dense foods and food-based supplements. I cover more of this in the ebook, including over 50 recipes. I eliminated bad fats and replaced them with a lot of great fats, I eliminated most grains, refined sugars, and processed foods. This didn’t only improve my cellulite, but my mood and severe acne as well.
Squats
The second step was to exercise, and in particular, squat. I am NOT saying you have to go out and get a gym membership and squat your ass off. I definitely didn’t/don’t. But I did make squats the main exercise I did, not cardio! Cardio does not build muscle, it doesn’t strengthen or tone the skin. Squats are an amazing workout for not only for your hips and ass but for your back and core as well. I use THESE WEIGHTS and do regular Tabata workouts. Because finishing a workout in under 20 minutes is awesome.
Dry Body Brushing
The next regimen I began was dry body brushing. This is simply brushing your skin with a dry brush (I use THIS one). Doing this stimulates the lymphatic system, which is like the garbage system of the body. The lymph filters out toxins, old blood cells, and metabolic waste. Body brushing also stimulates circulation.
Our lymphatic system plays a critical role in the development of cellulite. The septa becomes stiff because of decreased lymph and blood circulation to the subcutaneous layer of skin. The tissue weakens and the decrease in lymph drainage causes the fluids which should carry away waste to be trapped, the septa then becomes fibrous and tightens even more on the underlying fat cells. The decreased circulation also weakens capillaries and veins, causing the surrounding tissue to harden. Blood reroutes around the cellulite area and the septa fibers continue to thicken and even more fat continues to be deposited. The fats and toxins won’t be removed because of the poor circulation. Source
At this point, my cellulite had diminished quite a bit but was still present, not terribly, but it was there. The next step was what gave me the best result in combating cellulite.
Gelatin
In February Scott took me to a super fancy hotel for my birthday. Once we arrived, I immediately took my pants off (I will not be hindered by the tyranny of pants!). It was around 3 pm and the sun was shining directly into our room. We were still exploring the suite they had upgraded us to and I walked by a gigantic floor to ceiling, 5-foot wide mirror they had in the room.
I have a tall mirror at home but my bedroom is poorly lit. The light in the hotel was natural and extremely bright, and I couldn’t help but notice that my cellulite was nearly gone.
I was shocked. I had resigned myself to just having cellulite, I wasn’t ashamed of it and I still had nice legs and a big butt – I decided to love that part of my body anyway. But seeing myself without the deep dimples and ridges was surprising (and awesome). There was only one thing I have been adding to my diet for roughly the past 7 months – gelatin! Gelatin is made from the collagen of grass-fed cows.
One reason for cellulite, aging skin, wrinkles, loss of elasticity is a decline in collagen production as we age.
Makes sense to take an easily absorbed, high-quality collagen supplement, right?
From the Great Lakes website,
The body’s natural ability to repair supporting connective tissue (bone, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, skin, hair, and nails) diminishes after the age of 25. Collagen provides the source in supplying additional amounts of amino acids like glycine, lysine, and proline, which are specifically needed by the body to build connective tissue structure and to regulate the functions of the cells.
Collagen is responsible for cell renewal, skin elasticity, and suppleness as well as firmness. It is the building block of cells, tissues, and organs. Meaning it makes up your skin, hair, and nails. With age, collagen diminishes, making wrinkles more apparent, hair lackluster and skinless firm, which can ultimately cause or worsen cellulite.
I take two tablespoons a day in my tea. It has no flavor and dissolves easily. You can buy gelatin HERE.
Rebounding
Lastly, I have recently introduced rebounding – which is simply jumping on a mini trampoline. It may sound ridiculous, but consider this: patients who have lymphatic cancer are encouraged to rebound.
Rebounding is an exercise that is amazing for the lymphatic system. Rebounding works by physically stimulating the lymphatic system, which cannot be stimulated on its own. This removes toxins, waste, and build up from the body. Rebounding is even said to stimulate all internal organs, cerebral spinal fluid and improve intestinal function.
While I have not been rebounding for a significant amount of time, I am confident it will help to remove cellulite and keep it at bay.
I use THIS rebounder.
36 Comments
Since I’m doing all but the dry brushing & rebounding I ordered them right away from amazon after reading your article! I just wanted to make sure you knew the trampoline you’re recommending has a warning that it “contains a chemical known to cause cancer and birth defects”!! Needless to say its in the garage waiting for UPS to pick it back up.
I did not know that. Well that sucks.
I know, it sucks because I really want one! It’s on the inside packaging so there’s no way to know until you buy it.
If you try one of the higher quality ones, they are more expensive, but well worth it. I have been using the Cellerciser for many years now and it is one of the top of its kind. I researched all of them prior to buying as there are many different kinds out there for different needs, and this one was the best for what I was looking for – it is durable, safe, and folds up to carry in a storage case. I love mine and recommend it to my clients as well..
I know you wrote this article years ago but wondered if this rebounder was the original one you linked to that has a cancer causing ChemiCal or did you change the link?
Would a trampoline work as well?
Yep.
Just curious, but this was written awhile ago. ..are you still getting the same results and are you still doing the same routine?
Has this ebook you referred to been released yet? I’m always interested in more in depth information on what has worked for people.
It will be out within the next month! Make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter.
Also, a vibration plate and red light therapy does MAGIC!!! i use a machine in my salon called The Beauty Angel. transformational for your body!
just wondering how long this whole process works to see a remarkable difference ?
At least 1-2 months.
Great article. I’m vegetarian, having a hard time finding a vegan collegen product. Do you happen to know of any? Wondering if I should just become a squat monster and nix the idea of a collegen supplement.
Thanks!
I don’t. I think a collagen supplement would be a great addition to a vegetarian diet though.
I bought a cellercise trampoline years ago. It is used for rehabilitation and is amazing. Especially when you get on a cheaper one (which can really damage your hips). The one I use feels so awesome and has been worth every dime. I have had it for many years now and use it every day.
I am excited to try and have read so much information on getting rid of cellulite leaving me to feel it is pretty impossible. Much of what I have read that would say things worked were simply to promote certain products. This truely worked for you after about 2 months???
Mine definitely improves with all of this, but there are so many factors when it comes to cellulite. Sometimes it just happens!
I’ve been reserching cellulite after I had a major increase on my torso after breast cancer treatments. I Thought it was probably due to the super toxic chemotherapy, but after reading articles like this one, I think it is my lymphatic system. I only had 3 nodes removed, but it impacted my body a lot! I do dry brushing, and my legs literally start to tingling when I do this! I still have a lot to do to detox and change my lifestyle, but as a vegetarian I don’t want to take gelatin or collagen (all collagen supplements are made from animals) but I did find out that instead of taking collagen straight, there are supplements that help boost your body’s own production of it. They are: vitamin C, green tea catechisms, amino acid, lysine and proline. I haven’t started these yet ( so many pills!) but I’ll let you all know if they work for me! I think I read something about MSM being helpful, too. Thanks!!
This is such a great article!!! I am hoping you might have a recommendation for any other gelatin products, as this one you have listed does have has phenomenal reviews, I found some concerns on anxiety and heavy metals. I try to research a little more due to my battle with late stage Lyme disease so I hopefully won’t throw myself back into a relapse at ground zero, yikes! 🙂 I found heavy metals listed on the label which includes lead, so by the time you finish the container you will have consumed 22.7 mg of lead! Any other suggested gelatin products would be appreciated
What is rebounding exactly?
Pretty much just jumping on a trampoline.
DermalMD Cellulite Cream is amazing!! It has done wonders for my skin. Not only has it reduced cellulite and helped firm my skin, it has also reduced the appearance of scars that I have from surgery. My stretch marks are less noticeable as well. I have been using this product once a day so it doesn’t take much to have great results.
I love this, thank you for posting this article. I would definitely try with what I’ve been drinking. Since I’m kind of busy all the time. I’ve been drinking this organic product, Au Bon Broth and I’ve experienced positive changes with my body. I would really love it if drinking bone broth will help me rid of my cellulite.
My skin is firmer and smoother everywhere, including the areas with cellilite since drinking real bone broth with gelatin. Thank you for your guidance about a multi-family approach. I will start the squats, dry brushing, and rebounding after vacation. Also, FYI I take vitamin c with bioflavinoids to help with circulation.
Whoops should have been multi-faceted approach – sorry
I have been struggling for over 20 years with my cellulite. I am 45 years old and I have not been on a beach or in a swimming pool with my children. I have avoided going on vacations that involve those activities, have suffered of severe over-heating attempting to wear spanks to hide my extreme cellulite on front and back thighs in certain thinner clothing, never worn shorts since I was 27 and was told it made me look hideous by my ex-husband. So it has truly affected my life. I have asked several doctors, I been told, genetics and diet.
I began to see cellulite at age 19 when I ran track, and did plenty of squats. I have changed my diet.
I have tried fascia therapy, massages, dry brushing, dieting, and Tabata work out. At this point I was beginning to research surgical procedures.
I trying to tell myself to come to terms with this, I have accomplished many things I wanted, have 3 healthy wonderful children, and that I just can’t wear light color clothing on my bottom half ever, unless it is heavy weight wool.
But I just got invited to my relatives birthday party for Jamaica in January 2018.
I want to go, but I don’t want to much ashamed. I have tried each of these things (except the collagen & gelatin)
I am willing to try all those things together with consistency.
Thanks for sharing your story in this article.
How long do you rebound for per session?
I’m not vegetarian but my best guess would be that since collagen and gelatin are comprised of amino acids glycine as a primary one you could look to a vegetarian protein powder supplement and it would have similar affects. The big reason body builders age so well like Ernestine Shepard!
Hello,
I’d like to have a chat with you, please contact me when you have a few minutes to talk.
Cellulite has a lot to do with diet. Try taking pure MSM crystal. Not pills, or powder, CRYSTALS. I have been taking it and my face has tightened. I tried coffee scrub, and the results wear out quick, plus it’s nit long lasting. I will report back on my progress. I do exercise too. Mainly a lot of stairs
I’m confused, you said in the beginning when you were in your early 20s, you had bad cellulite but you were eating vegan/vegetarian diet…. then later you say that you realized you had to clean up your diet so you started eating raw foods, unprocessed foods… well what the hell weere you eating when you were vegan? Every vegan I know has very clean eating habits and gorgeous bodies… so I’m not fully sure what you were eating that caused your cellulite to get so bad… it doesn’t sound like you changed much in your eating unless you were eating processed vegan food…
Geesh Anne. Post is 2 years old…hope you’ve put the passive-aggressiveness out to pasture.
Haha thanks!
Hi Anne,
Majority of vegan diets to include processed foods and all of them are lacking nutrients. There are certain vitamins and minerals that are impossible to obtain from plant foods alone – b12, EPA, DHA, retinol, iron, etc. I’m not sure how many vegans you know but just because someone may look healthy on the outside does not mean that they are healthy on the inside.
My cellulite was terrible as a plant based vegan too!! Animal proteins saved my muscles from sarcopenia, my skin from looking as old as my vegan friends, and my memory seemed to improve- My labs definitely got better because the constant carb intake (to get in enough complete protein) causes insulin resistance and I was a SkinnyFat-obese vegan at 122 pounds and 67″ tall-Ew!! If any readers are vegans, buy a chicken, love her a lot, and EAT HER EGGS!!