Doesn’t it seem as though summer is coming a bit quicker this year? Each day brings us one step closer to busting out the bathing suits and baring our bodies. This is the time of year when many people, women in particular, start scrutinizing their body closer than ever. My inbox is proof of this. I have decided to write an article about the number one question of last week- how to banish cellulite.

I was a bit surprised at the many misconceptions surrounding cellulite. A lot of women asked if such-and-such cream would work, if they should stop eating cottage cheese or if surgery was their only option.

What exactly is cellulite and what is the best way to get rid of it?

Cellulite is nothing more than additional fat cells stored in your body. We all have connective tissue that separates fat cells into little compartments. Women have honey-combed shaped compartments and men have a crisscross pattern. The honey-combed shape compartments are the reason some women have dimply thighs, or cottage cheese looking arms.

Getting rid of cellulite is simple, but not necessarily easy. The only way cellulite can be reduced is to reduce overall body fat. You cannot spot reduce or rub a cream on it. You cannot starve yourself either. The only way to rid yourself of cellulite is to follow these 5 highly effective, simple, and to-the-point tips.

1) Eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day. Each meal should be 2-3 hours apart. Each meal should contain one protein and one carb. The first meal should be eaten within an hour after waking.

2) Drink a cup of water at each meal.

3) Rest properly. This means taking at least 48 hours between strength training the same muscles, and it also means getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Lastly, it means taking 1-2 days off from exercising per week.

4) Cardio should be done at different intensity levels and different session lengths. Consider doing a low intensity/long session, a high intensity/short session and a few medium intensity/medium length sessions per week.

5) Strength train each muscle 1-3 times per week. You should lift a proper weight and perform the proper amount of sets/reps for your strength training method. If you need more guidance or exercise ideas you can head over http://www.strength-training-woman.com

All of the above things combined will result in cellulite reduction. There are no miracle creams or secrets. It’s all about good old fashioned working out. Having said that, workout smarter and not harder! Get on a great program that is tailored to your body and your goals. Everyone is different, but following these 5 tips practically guarantees your cellulite will vanish.

Copyright 2006 Lynn VanDyke

Lynn VanDyke is the head trainer at http://www.TrainerLynn.com . She will create a custom fitness and nutrition program for you. Get dramatic results with a professionally designed workout routine and menu. Work with a master trainer and fitness nutritionist 1-on-1 and finally achieve your weight loss goals! Simple and extremely effective.

Share This

A recent article touting the wonderful effects of adding strength training to your regular workouts for results in the weight loss department. I thought this was common knowledge.

I discovered this myself shortly after my pregnancy. I had always been nice and fit. Ex-gymnast, ballerina etc and just a high metabolism person. But months after my pregnancy I couldn’t seem to lose those “last 10 pounds”. You hear it often but I had never experienced it. I didn’t have the freshman 15 in college. Didn’t gain weight like everyone promised after high school and even starting my 30’s I was still the same weight as in high school. But pregnancy? That did me in.

I worked out daily with my sister. We were determined. Cardio, cardio, cardio. A few squats here and there. Some crunches but man I was still big! Then I happened upon some well known weight training videos for women in a second hand store. They were hard but they were fun. My body wasn’t used to the weight so I started small. Three and Five pound weights. I was having so much fun. Then I had to get eight pounders. Oh i also needed ankle weights. The weight was dropping off! It was so wonderful.

Then I plateaud. Common with heavy workouts. I got kind of sad about the whole thing and put the weights down. I still had 2 or 3 I would have liked to removed. I thought it was about that much. My lower regions were still kind of chunky. So I lost my momentum and put the weights away.

A few weeks later I picked up a well known female exercise enthusiast’s 20 minute workout. Nothing big. I knew her stuff was easy but it had been a few weeks since I worked out. It was all cardio too and I was kind of tired of weighs. OHMIGOSH! I lost about 5 pounds that week! I know I sound like an informercial. The bottom line for me was a combination of both. The weights definitely started the ball rolling but I had pretty much omitted the cardio because the weights were so fun and actually for me easier. Cardio made me breathe hard. Ick!

Well that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it. Get some weights ladies (and gents). Workout carefully and make sure you lift right. There are some videos to show just how it’s done too.

Have fun!

O Quinn is a wife and mother who likes to look for the best ways to get things done.
Visit her at http://www.homemakingorganized.com

Share This

Weight training is an important aspect of the bodybuilding process, but what about the forgotten exercise commonly known as cardio. Cardio is just , if not more important than weight training itself and should be at the top of every trainee`s to-do list. In this article, I am going to give you a run down on the different types of cardio that can be done and the benefits of doing cardiovascular exercise.

The definition of cardiovascular, according to dictionary.com, means of, relating to, or involving the heard and blood vessels. Basically, anything that elevates your heart rate to burn calories would be considered cardio. The most important thing is to always be moving. A sedentary lifestyle will only lead to obesity and you definitely don`t want that, especially if you are involved with fitness.

There are many positive benefits of doing cardiovascular exercise. Your mind will benefit most because cardio helps reduce stress and keeps you in a positive mental state. Not only that, but your body will be benefitting from an increased lung capacity, higher metabolism, and increased blood flow to your brain.

If you have a job that keeps you active then there is no need to add more cardio. However, some bodybuilders preparing for a contest do up to three hours of cardio daily, so you will have to be the decisive factor and determine how much cardio you need to do. Many people prefer jogging as its main source of cardio because it is a quick way to get in a workout. Other people prefer cycling, walking, or any other cardio option available.

The debate on the best time to do cardio has been going on for years. One person says you should train in the morning on an empty stomach, another says to do cardio after your first meal, and then another person tells you to do cardio right after you get done weight lifting. All of this information can become confusing and cause you unwanted stress just trying to decide which time is the best time to do cardio. Again, try them all and make a decision based on good judgement. Don`t be discouraged if you don`t get everything right the first try, just use your mistakes as a means for improvement. Until next time, Later.

*http://exercise.about.com/cs/cardioworkouts/a/cardio101.htm
*http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/animalpak19.htm

21 years old. Check out my site for the entire collection of articles. http://www.geocities.com/bashore69/bodybuildingarticles.html

Share This