With temperatures climbing over the last month swimwear season is fast approaching and for you people out there who may be anything like me, the thought of it makes you feel a little uncomfortable in your stomach (it is now that I wish I stuck with that bikini body idea! Maybe next year!!)

So this month is dedicated “mostly” to the women, however there are some men out there who may also pick up a few tips.

I watched a video on Facebook from a very outspoken personal trainer sharing his views on cellulite and enjoyed his video. it made me think about writing this months column.

So many of us worry about our “problem areas” as we like to call them but when it comes to cellulite we can try and minimise it, but sometimes it’s just the way it is.

Here are some natural remedies for those of you who are worrying about it.

9 times as many women as men suffer cellulite. This is partly due to the different structure of the skin, and the fact that it is really true, us women have more underlying fat cells.

It is mainly due to water retention plus the toxins we accumulate in our bodies, which weaken the connective tissue just below the surface of the skin.

It is less common in physically active /athletic females who have very low body fat. it could also be greatly reduced or avoided if we look after our livers and our lymphatic system.

FOODS BEST TO BE AVOIDED

High saturated fat foods, like chocolate, clog up our lymphatic system, which will add to our cellulite (bad news for us chocoholics!)

Avoid mass produced cakes and pastries or foods with high salt content, like tinned foods or takeaways. Salt retains more fluid in the tissues, which means storing more toxins.

Avoid too much coffee and alcohol; these choices strain the liver, which is already working hard enough dealing with the toxins from your diet. Take care of your liver and it’s guaranteed your skin improves.

FRIENDLY FOODS

Eat plenty of complex carbs like beans, lentils, fruit and vegetables and choose brown rice and pasta. They are stored with plenty fibre which aids faster elimination of toxins.

Plenty of water daily and add some organic seeds like pumpkin, linseeds, sunflower to fruits, salads and cereals.

An apple (or 2) daily, apples contain pectin which helps eliminate toxins.

HELPFUL REMEDIES

Take a multivitamin and mineral daily for your age and gender.

The herb gotu kola is “apparently “ one of the most successful remedies for cellulite when taken orally, 500mg, 3 times a day for 2 or 3 months.

Massage in any form is beneficial as it increases circulation and lymph drainage. if you’re not able to treat yourself to a massage on a weekly basis , get a skin brush , which increases circulation and eliminates toxins from the body . always dry brush up towards the heart . I add essential oils to mine, I make up a detox body oil containing oils such as Juniper, grapefruit, fennel, lemon or rosemary, it helps detoxify and firm the body by improving microcirculation, oxygenation and elimination. Juniper and fennel are natural diuretics. Try the brushing every morning on your skin and it works great as a moisturiser at the same time. Please note – not all essential oils are safe for everyone and should be treated with care toward certain ailments, if you want to try this and unsure with any condition you may have, please get in touch and I will happily assist.

Some exercise in your life encourages circulation in the elimination of toxins. Walking & stretching daily is also good if you don’t have time for that exercise class that day.

No ‘fad’ diets … if you need to lose weight, do it gradually; losing weight too quickly can make the appearance of cellulite worse.
Slow and steady wins the race!

And lastly, just love the skin you’re in … we are all perfect imperfections and entitled to enjoy your life to the max, so don’t allow your own inhibitions to get in the way of that. When we learn to love ourselves we start radiating that feeling and looking and feeling better for it.

So before trying out any of these remedies just learn to be kind to yourself first, and realise there ain’t none of us perfect, it will help the process!

Much love

Take advantage of my special offer full body detox massage for only 30 euros!
(add a 30 minute foot reflexology for only 5 euros)

To book an appointment T/Whatsapp 693 018 046 or email: thereikiroom@gmail.com