How Swimming Gets Rid of Cellulite and Shapes and Tones Your Muscles
Just mentioning the word cellulite may cause you to groan: the lumpy, dimpled fat that often shows up on the thighs and the butt area is usually not a desirable look, and some people will try anything to get rid of it.
All kinds of creams and diets are aimed at getting rid of cellulite, but the truth is there isn’t a magic solution to eliminate this unwanted fat. Creams and other products may reduce the look of cellulite for a while, but the most effective means of getting rid of cellulite requires a bit more work.
So can you get rid of cellulite with exercise? The question has been debated for years, but studies show it’s certainly possible with the right moves. Aerobic exercises like jogging and swimming are the best workouts for tightening and toning the butt and quads and getting rid of cellulite. When paired with a healthy diet, you’ll likely see a quick reduction.
What Causes Cellulite?
Cellulite is made up of fat deposits that push through the skin’s connective tissue. It’s caused by a combination of genetics, hormones, diet, and lifestyle factors. Though cellulite can happen in men and women of any age, it’s more prevalent in women due to the arrangement of fat cells and higher body fat ratio in comparison to men. Female fat cells are arranged vertically, causing fat cells to be more prominent and give the appearance of cellulite.
Foods That Contribute to Cellulite
Eating an excess of certain foods can increase the likelihood of cellulite. An overabundance of fat, carbohydrates, and salt can slow down blood flow in the connective tissues, causing poor circulation, bloating, and water retention. Sugar converts to carbohydrates and can also lead to a greater appearance of cellulite.
If you’re looking to reduce cellulite, try cutting out these types of foods, which are high in sodium, fat, and simple carbohydrates:
- Processed deli meat
- Cheese
- Soda
- Pizza
- Margarine
- White bread
- Chips and packaged snacks
- Bagels
- Canned soup
- Cookies, cake, and ice cream
- Fruit juice
- Beer
Healthy Food Alternatives
To reduce cellulite, you’ll want to make sure you’re staying hydrated and choosing balanced foods. Consume at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you’ll want to drink 75 ounces of water daily. Here are some other great foods to reduce cellulite:
- Grapefruit
- Leafy greens
- Fresh herbs
- Quinoa or brown rice
- Nuts
- Berries
- Salmon
- Avocado
- Green tea
- Chicken and lean meat
How to Get Rid of Cellulite with Exercise
As we mentioned earlier, cardio exercise is a great way to reduce cellulite. Swimming is one of the best aerobic exercises, since you’ll work every major muscle group in the body. Try swimming laps to firm and tone muscles and get rid of cellulite quickly. Here are some tips to getting started:
- Figure out how many calories you need to burn to have a calorie deficit in your diet (there are 3,500 calories to a pound), then figure out how long you need to stay in the pool to burn that amount of calories.
- Try doing drills to increase your endurance in the pool.
- Use a kickboard to stabilize yourself for water aerobic exercises that strengthen muscles and burn fat.
- Practice the breaststroke or freestyle for an intensive workout.
- Incorporate interval training to maximize your calorie burning. Swim faster for a few laps and then go back to a standard pace, then repeat.
- Swim at least 30 minutes, three days a week, if you’re looking to see a noticeable difference in cellulite.
- Add weights for greater resistance and calorie burning.
Check Out Swim Classes at SwimJim
By making some diet and lifestyle changes, you’ll be able to kick cellulite to the curb over time. Check out swim classes at SwimJim if you’re wanting to get rid of cellulite with swimming. No matter your age or skill level, our experienced instructors will help you feel more comfortable in the water and advance your swimming strokes. Sign up by contacting us today.
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