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 a swimming pool.
Cellulite affects eight 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 figures 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 size – 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 it is present in the body, the greater the probability of cellulite developing.
Scientific studies have shown that it is not only the build up of oestrogen 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.
Action plan
Here’s the action plan. In your diet, avoid processed food. Cut down or better cut out coffee and alcohol. Eat low-fat food, eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and, of course, drink lots of water.
Walking, cycling, swimming, dancing and aerobics are all good for blood circulation, but rope skipping is also great. You may have to start with burst of two to three, 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 grams spinach leaves, washed and torn into pieces, tough stems discarded
340 grams mixed green salad
Two tomatoes, cut into wedges
One cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
One red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
110 grams pitted black olives, thinly sliced
110 grams Feta cheese, crumbled
180 ml fat-free Italian dressing
50 grams cheese & garlic croutons
Method
Combine first seven 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 office. It’s primarily a desk job. I am overweight.
For the past one month I have been trying 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 still have a big tummy. Though I have managed to lose a couple of kilos, the tummy does not seem to reduce. Could you suggest some ways to control it? Would walking help? — Sumita
I know that working long hours in 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 five portions of fruit or fresh vegetables every day. You really need to cut down on 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 exercise currently, then starting by walking regularly is a very positive step. Don’t overdo it. Start by taking a walk early 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.
