An honest glimpse into what it’s feels like to have a cellulite covered ass…as a personal trainer.
OK, so, be honest, did the photo of my cellulite filled ass lead you to this blog post? Was it a shock factor for you that this 32-year-old personal trainer, who spends hours every day in a gym, has cellulite that ripples along her hamstrings and up into her butt?! It’s OK. It’s hard for me to get behind, too – trust me!
Some of you may have viewed the photo I posted on my story last week. You know the one of me in my red bikini on vacation looking so happy and…lumpy? Yes, that one. Here’s what happened. I was on a family vacation and as I put my swimsuit on, I caught a glimpse of my ass in the mirror. I did a double take and thought for sure it was the poor lighting in the room causing this “extra” cellulite I saw. So, I went to another room with “better lighting” (obviously) to decrease the anxiety that was creeping into my mind. But you guessed it, that “better lighting” did nothing for the dimples that were slipping out of my swimsuit bottom. Damn it. But I loved that swimsuit and I felt confident in it prior to viewing my backside so, I tried my best to ignore my insecurities because honestly, I’ve always known I have cellulite. I know that I do carry most of my weight in my lower half, that I have room for improvement, and know all the factors that go into the fact that my hamstrings and ass aren’t as smooth as my favorite Instagram filter “Paris” makes me appear. In fact, 80 to 90 percent of women experience this lovely lumpy skin condition so, I know I’m not alone. I know that it can’t be changed my quick fixes, or in some cases, there aren’t any fixes! I know that weight, age, gender, skin tone and type, hormones, water weight etc. determine the amount of cellulite a person can have. I know that a person who is smaller than me, weighs less than me and is younger than me can have cellulite, too. But, the added pressure and insecurity for me lies in the fact that I am a Personal Trainer and my clients (and outsiders) look up to me to have this idealist body. It’s a lot of pressure that I put on my shoulders because of my job title.
A lot of thoughts can run through my head when I get insecure about this imperfection on my body. I’ll list just a few.
“My clients look to me to rid them of their cellulite and replace it with muscle and I can’t do it for myself?
“Who am I to still have this on my body? Shouldn’t I know how to “get rid” of it?”
“I’m a fitness professional and my body is far from perfect. I need to work harder. I need to practice what I preach more. I need to change.”
“I can’t ever let my clients know what goes on under these leggings that suck me in and shape me so nicely.”
But here is the thing I try to remind myself when I get insecure, I need to give myself the grace and love I give to my clients and that lifestyle I encourage my clients to lead IS the exact lifestyle I am leading. It’s balanced. It’s full of so many things I love which happen to include both Oreros and working out… and beer and chipotle! My life is measured by so much more than those fat deposits that happen to push through my connective tissue. I mean do you feel me!?My life is measured by the hours of memories I made in that swimsuit that day. It’s the image my sisters and I are giving their daughters and my sons about self-confidence and what healthy bodies in ALL shapes and sizes look like. It would have been a SHAME if I didn’t snap out of my insecurities that day. As hard as it is to stop the comparison trap, I remind myself that I have been a personal trainer who has coached hundreds of people to a happier lifestyle for over the last 10 years. My expertise and passion about this career aren’t lessened by my imperfect body. Though it’s not easy to share insecurities and weaknesses with you, it has to be talked about. N O B O D Y IS P E R F E C T. Including this mother of 2…who happens to be a personal trainer.
(photo taken 2 minutes apart. Good lighting is a beautiful thing!)
While you’re here. Why don’t I educate you on cellulite for, you know, for fun?! Here are some Fast Facts I found on cellulite from Medical News Today:
- Between 80 and 90 percent of women will probably experience cellulite.
- Cellulite is also known as orange-peel skin, due to its texture.
- Numerous treatments available, but the effect is mostly temporary.
- A diet low in fat, smoking cessation, and an active lifestyle may help reduce the incidence cellulite. (HENCE the “MAY”)
Causes
- The exact cause of cellulite is unknown, but it appears to result from an interaction between the connective tissue in the dermatological layer that lies below the surface of the skin, and the layer of fat that is just below it.
- In women, the fat cells and connective tissue in this layer are arranged vertically.
- If the fat cells protrude into the layer of skin, this gives the appearance of cellulite.
- In men, the tissue has a criss-cross structure, which may explain why are less likely to have cellulite than women- (Jerks! I want your criss-cross structure…and lack of periods and hormones too while we’re at it.)
Hormonal factors and age
Hormones likely play an important role in cellulite development. Estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin are part of the cellulite production process.
Genetic factors (Thanks, Mom!)
Certain genes are required for cellulite development. Genetic factors can be linked to a person’s speed of metabolism, distribution of fat under the skin, ethnicity, and circulatory levels. These can affect the chance of cellulite developing.
Dietary and lifestyle factors
Cellulite is not caused by “toxins,” although a healthy lifestyle may help reduce the risk. (Yeah, well, not always ???? )
Exercise and diet may help reduce the appearance of cellulite. (Good point to keep in mind. Who knows what my body would look like if I didn’t exercise as much as I do. Thanks for the reminder, Medical News Today!)
People who eat too much fat, carbohydrates, and salt and too little fiber are likely to have greater amounts of cellulite. (OK, so you’re saying I should no to the bed time Oreos and milk and yes to Fiber One Cereal…?!)
Wearing underwear with tight elastic across the buttocks can limit blood flow, and this may contribute to the formation of cellulite. (If you’ve been following along for a while, you know THIS is NOT my cause for cellulite.)
Cellulite is more prevalent in people who have excess fat, but slim and fit people can have it too. It is more likely to happen after the age of 25 years, but it can affect younger people as well, including teenagers. (Well, isn’t that cute.)
Alternative solutions
Alternative or supplemental therapies include caffeine, grape seed extract, or gingko biloba. These agents have been applied topically, orally, and by injection, but none of them have proven effective.
Some people wear compression garments to reduce the appearance of cellulite. These garments try to compress arteries and increase blood and lymph flow to reduce visible cellulite.
Liposuction and dieting do not remove cellulite because it does not affect the structure of the connective tissue. (Interesting! Save yourself money and pain if this was your plan to get rid of the dimples on your ass.)
However, reducing fat intake will mean having less fat to push through the tissues. Eating a healthful, balanced diet and exercising may, therefore, reduce the appearance of cellulite.
A 2015 review of a variety of studies into the effectiveness of different techniques indicated that either the procedures did not work, or the research methodology was flawed.
For this reason, any promise to get rid of cellulite should be approached with caution. (AMEN!)
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