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Crystal Meek
Crystal Meek B.A. is a Fitness Specialist at Health Strategies who has been active in the fitness field for 22 years. Experienced in group exercise leadership, instructor training, class design, personal training, and fitness testing, Crystal has a varied and knowledgeable background in yoga, pilates mat exercise, step, hi-low, kick boxing, muscle conditioning, and cycle classes. Certifications include A.C.E., Physiomind Institute, AAAISMA, and Coopers Clinic in Dallas. Crystal may be contacted at (316) 651-8004.
Fitness
2002-06-01 14:42:00
Tell me about cellulite
Question:  I do believe that Cellulite is some old Greed God’s curse on women.  What is it?
Answer:  Cellulite evolves from a series of events involving the skin, fat, and the fluids within the body.  Cellulite rarely occurs in males, does not appear in pre-pubital females, varies from mild to severe, and is unrelated to obesity.  However, excessive weight gain or obesity can accentuate the appearance of cellulite.  Eighty percent of women have cellulite.  The difference in the appearance of cellulite in men and women is the way the fat is deposited.  Fat beneath the skin has two layers, deep and superficial.  Cellulite is the projection of subcutaneous fat into the bottom layer of the skin.  The skin is tethered down by fiber like tissues that pull it inward, toward the interior of the body.  The tension of these fibers pulls sections of fat in along with them.  Cellulite has been compared to the dimples in a mattress that are caused by the strings that hold the tucks down.  Women have fiber that connects the skin to the fat in a vertical direction while men have connective fibers that attach from the skin to the fat in more of a horizontal direction.  It is these vertical fibers that compartmentalize the fat into pockets that give the skin a cottage cheese appearance.  Question:  What are the causes?Answer:  Poor blood circulation due to stress and lack of exercise; poor lymphatic flow; changes in estrogen and progesterone levels dictate how much fat your body stores or releases; genetic factors; with age the ability to aid in the elimination and nutrition process for underlying tissues declines.  As skin ages the collagen and elastic within it stretches and progressively reveals more fluids and fat cells bel ow.  Consuming alcohol, caffeine and sugar, may overwhelm the body's ability to eliminate themQuestion:  How can one fight cellulite?Answer:  The key word about cellulite is fat, and it must be treated with the same protocols.  The ACSM suggests 3-5 cardiovascular sessions a week, 2-3 strength and flexibility sessions a week. Combine this exercise protocol with a nutrient dense diet, patience, consistency and determination.  Results with exercise do not happen overnight.  Always change workout because body is constantly adapting to exercise stimulus.  While you are adhering to consistent exercise and nutrition keep the areas well moisturized.Alternative methods for dealing with cellulite include endomologic and liposuction.  However liposuction removes fat in the deep layer instead of the area that has cellulite which is right under the skin.  Edomologic is a massage-based technique that is approved by the FDA for temporary reduction of cellulite.  Both methods are expensive and results may vary from individual to individual.
 
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