Cellulite troubles

Dear Donovan,

I am 35 years old and I have big legs as well as trouble with cellulite. I am afraid to wear shorts as my legs have big lumps. When I exercise I feel they get bigger, not smaller. Can you suggest anything that I can do to improve the appearance of my legs?

Many people don’t know what cellulite is or what causes it to show on the skin. However, cellulite is not a skin problem. In fact, it is nothing more than normal fat beneath the skin appearing lumpy. This is due to the fat pushing against muscle tissue, causing the skin above it to be raised. This can be seen as herniation of subcutaneous fat.

Cellulite occurs mainly in the pelvic region, lower limbs and abdomen. Cellulite is mainly a female condition and can be due to a wide combination of factors ranging from hormones to heredity. Other factors such as race, sex and distribution of subcutaneous fat have also been shown to contribute to cellulite. In addition, persons predisposed to lymphatic and circulatory problems have been shown to be more susceptible to cellulite.

A high-stress lifestyle is often associated with the development of cellulite. It should be noted that cellulite is caused by a number of factors and is usually unresponsive to a wide range of treatments — for example, creams, lotions, bands, etc. These treatments are ineffective because they are usually unable to get beneath the skin where the problem lies.

For proper treatment, I would suggest that you consult with a professional. However, the use of radio frequency with deep penetration of the skin has shown some good promise. In addition, since cellulite is an underlying structural issue involving both muscle and fat, it can be targeted with simple and unique exercises which usually focus on the cellulite area. These exercises usually involve lifting, shaping and toning the muscle layer to bring back the tighter and more attractive appearance of the skin.

In addition, you mentioned that you have big legs. This might be hereditary. My best suggestion is that you try to lose some weight. Once you lose weight all over your body, the size of your legs should be reduced.

In order to lose weight, you need to reduce your food intake and do some regular exercise. Once you have lost some weight you could do some toning of the legs. However, I must tell you that even though your legs will look smaller, it is likely that they will still look large compared to the rest of your body.

We will answer your weight-related questions

Are you struggling to lose weight or just need some advice on living a healthier life? Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, Suite 16, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5. Send your questions to clarkep@ jamaicaobserver.com.