We’re all guilty of squinting our eyes a little when trying on bathing suits to minimize the appearance of cellulite on our legs. And let’s face it; those “miracle-in-a-bottle” creams cost more money than they’re worth. The good news is that there is a real solution that can help women everywhere reduce the appearance of cellulite without playing tricks on their eyes on breaking the bank. Wayne Westcott, a fitness research director and author, concluded that exercise consisting of 20 minutes of strength training and 20 minutes of cardio three times a week can reduce cellulite.
Take a Brisk Walk
During the morning or evening, step outside and take a walk through your neighborhood for a cardio tuneup that can work to reduce the appearance of cellulite. According to Ace Fitness, a 30-minute walk, at 70 to 80 percent the maximum heart rate, three times a day can contribute to a smoother-looking lower body. Try this activity with a group of friends if you don’t want to walk alone, or plug in your MP3 player and enjoy your favorite tunes while you walk. This workout can also be done using a treadmill, or, if you want to increase the intensity of the workout, try jogging instead.
Mix It Up With Interval Training
According to Fitness Magazine, an interval-training routine can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. It suggests a routine that can be done in less than 20 minutes, indoors or outdoors using a bike, running or walking. For the first three to five minutes, warm up your muscles with a low-impact walk, run or bike ride, and then, for 15 seconds, increase your speed. Take 45 seconds to recover, and then repeat the steps for 12 to 16 minutes. Then, cool down for at least three minutes to get your heart rate back to a steady rate.
Squat the Cellulite Away
Tighten leg and arm muscles by doing squats with dumbbells. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and extend your arms up while holding the dumbbells. Squat down, as if you’re about to sit in a chair, while bringing your arms down to your shoulders. Alternate this workout with walking. Real Solutions Mag suggests including a variation of lunges, include walking and stationary lunges. Real Solutions suggests doing 15 or 20 of each type.
Take a Dip
Swimming is a cardio workout that strengthens the arms and legs while burning calories. Swim a lap or two at the local pool, or for at least 30 minutes, to help rid your body of cellulite. Methods of Healing suggests using swimming as a part of your workout routine, but not as your main workout because of potential weight-gain concerns. Mix swimming with other cardio exercises such as walking, jogging, running or cycling.
Photo Credit
- exercise lady image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
