Cellulite remains hidden and unnoticed for most of the year, but with holidays looming and the increasing hot weather, we are all tempted to unwrap the layers of clothing and take a dip in the cool waters of the sea or swimming pool.
Cellulite affects 8 out of 10 women at some stage in their lives. Some women seem more prone to it while others develop it with the creeping years. Even the most celebrated posteriors in the world! But the good news is that with a little determination and effort it can be banished. Any one can suffer from cellulite. It is not related to size and even some top models have it.
What is cellulite? It is those areas of puckered, dimpled skin on the upper parts of the thighs and buttocks. Most experts agree that cellulite is linked to a hormonal factor because it mostly affects women, and the guilty party has been identified as estrogen.
The more that is present in the body, the greater the probability of cellulite developing. Scientific studies have shown that it is not only the buildup of estrogen but also an excess of waste products such as preservatives, chemicals, and additives contained in processed food. This causes overload, and sluggish circulation results in cellulite.
You too can become both firm and fabulous! You can achieve this in a relatively short space of time.
Here’s the action plan. In your diet, avoid processed food — cut down, or better still, cut out, coffee and alcohol — eat low fat food — eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables — and, of course, drink lots of water. For exercise — walking, cycling, swimming, dancing and aerobics are all good for the circulation — but skipping with a rope is also great. You may have to start with burst of 2 – 3 minutes, but you will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly the body adapts.
It will take you about a month of concerted effort, but believe me; the results will be worth it!
Recipe of the week
Greek salad
Serves 6
Ingredients
500 g spinach leaves, washed and torn into
pieces, tough stems discarded
340 g mixed green salad
2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
110 g pitted black olives, thinly sliced
110 g feta cheese, crumbled
180 ml fat-free Italian dressing
50 g cheese & garlic croutons
Method
Combine first 7 ingredients in a salad bowl and toss. Pour dressing over salad just before serving. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss. Serve with croutons.
Ask Alva
I am a working woman and spend long hours in the office, which is primarily a desk job. I am overweight. From the past one month I have tried to change my diet pattern and have included a lot of vegetable salads (I am a vegetarian) and cut on fats and fried food. However, I have a big tummy. Though I have managed to lose a couple of kilos but the tummy does not seem to reduce. Could you suggest some ways by which this can be reduced? Would walking help? Sumita
I know that working long hours at a desk job makes it very easy to put on weight, and even harder to get it off! From what you tell me, you are starting in the right direction to lose weight.
I always recommend taking at 5 portions of fruit or fresh vegetables every day. You really need to cut out fried food — as you are a vegetarian that might be more difficult — but steamed vegetables retain much more of their flavour and, more importantly, more of their natural goodness.
If you don’t take exercise at the moment, then starting by walking regularly is a very positive step. Don’t overdo it, but start by taking a walk either first thing in the morning, or in the evening at times when it is cooler.
Begin by walking briskly for 20 minutes every day and try to build it up to 30 minutes after a couple of weeks. Eventually you should be able to speed up to a jog.
You can also send for my nifty Mini-Morning Workout by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
