There, I said it. No, I didn’t say that to hurt you; I’m saying that to empower you. I’m fully prepared for the “The-one-I-use-does-es” and the “But-you-haven’t-tried’s.” I will not debate this. I insist on building this relationship based on honesty, and I believe that stating the facts is a good start.

Speaking of facts, here’s one that’ll blow your mind: manufacturers of cellulite creams don’t promise that their products will get rid of cellulite.

Let me put it in laymen’s terms: it’s extremely likely that the people who make your cellulite cream, never said that their cellulite cream would get rid of your cellulite. They actually say that their product will help REDUCE THE APPEARANCE of cellulite, and not that it will get rid of it entirely. Clever marketing and advertisements build into the idea (and yes, the hope!) that the products will get rid of cellulite completely.

(I’ll give you a minute…now…keep reading!)

Keep in mind that many things influence how much cellulite you have and how visible it is:

• Thickness and color of your skin
• Lack of physical activity
• Fad dieting
• A slow metabolism
• Dehydration
• Total body fat
• Hormonal changes

So, what is cellulite, anyway? More importantly…is there a remedy for it?

Cellulite has been defined as “normal fat beneath the skin”; however, the fat has a bumpy appearance because it pushes against connective tissue, causing the skin above it to “pucker.” Having cellulite doesn’t necessarily mean you’re overweight (yes, thin people have it, too); however, weight loss can reduce cellulite.

As far as a remedy goes…well, technically there is no permanent remedy; however, given the above-mentioned items that can influence the amount of cellulite you have…it’s empowering to know that many of those items can be well-addressed and greatly improved! Do I recall physical activity, slow metabolism, body fat, and dehydration being mentioned? Oh, Verus Life is all over that! We live to bring balance and results in those departments!

But I digress…

Remember that while no product can permanently banish cellulite, there are topical skin products that do reduce the appearance of cellulite…there’s no harm in starting there. In fact, if you’re going to buy a “cellulite cream,” you’ll want to purchase a triple-threat: a product containing caffeine, antioxidants and retinoids. After all, don’t we want the lumpy appearance of cellulite to be reduced?

The antioxidants reduce inflammation and swelling—this lessens the protrusion of cellulite. Caffeine penetrates deep beneath the top layer of skin to “shrink” the beads of fat. Retinoids pull the skin beneath the superficial layer of skin, making the skin more tightly drawn; hence the appearance of cellulite is improved because the skin is smoother.

STOP! I know what you’re doing! You’re probably getting ready to surf the internet in search of a triple-threat anti-cellulite product…right?! Well, hold on! Chances are, you’ve already bought these products and they’re in your cabinets at home!!! Got any acne medication? It usually contains retinoids. Check your face creams and body lotions—they often have antioxidants. Ever bought an eye cream to reduce puffiness and inflammation—those products will likely contains caffeine. So start checking labels!!! You can combine 3 products—each of which contain one of the 3 anti-cellulite ingredients—and put them on all together! Just a money-saving alternative I thought I’d share!

Of course, nutrition and fitness (2 of my favorite topics!) are solutions that yield wonderful results. Yes, a specific nutrition plan unique to you personally, exercises created for your body specifically. This is great news, by the way. Watch for my next blog to find out why!