Several factors explain the appearance of cellulite on the stomach. Poor lifestyle habits are often to blame. As summer approaches, what woman wouldn’t dream of getting rid of that unsightly orange-peel skin? It is possible to reduce belly cellulite through a varied diet, massages, and a few targeted exercises. Here are some tips to help you get there.
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What is cellulite?
Cellulite, also known as orange-peel skin, forms when fat cells develop. As they grow and multiply, the cells become distorted and “bumps” can appear on the stomach. There are several types of cellulite: aqueous cellulite, caused by water retention, which can be worsened by prolonged sitting or standing. There is also adipose cellulite. This is due to an excess of fat, often linked to a poor diet. Finally, there is fibrous cellulite, caused by collagen fibres becoming embedded beneath the skin.
Learn more about the different types of cellulite
Adopting a balanced diet
Foods to favour
As part of an anti-cellulite diet, it is essential to adopt a balanced diet. A healthy diet starts with fruits and vegetables, which are rich in micronutrients that help drain and reduce orange-peel skin.
- The star fruits are papaya and pineapple. Papaya contains papain, which effectively targets the collagen found in fibrous belly cellulite. Pineapple contains bromelain, which has diuretic properties. This enzyme stimulates fat elimination and helps flush out toxins.
- Vegetables are also highly recommended as they promote drainage, improve blood fluidity, and are rich in antioxidants. Leek and cabbage, thanks to their high potassium content, help prevent water retention by supporting healthy cell hydration. Bell pepper has diuretic properties that help eliminate fats and sugars. Onion has draining and detoxifying effects — it fights toxins and helps lower blood sugar levels. Fruits and vegetables are also packed with water, which helps purify the body and smooth away cellulite dimples.
- It is essential to stay well hydrated to support veno-lymphatic circulation. Drinking enough water helps flush out waste that can contribute to cellulite. That said, not all drinks are equal — opt for water, preferably low in sodium. You can also enjoy tea. Rich in antioxidants, it helps break down lipids that have accumulated in fat cells.
A balanced diet combined with good hydration will help you reduce cellulite.
Foods to avoid
To eliminate belly cellulite, start by cutting out a few bad habits from your diet — beginning with snacking. When we snack, we tend to reach for sugary or salty foods that encourage fat storage and, in turn, the appearance of belly cellulite.
On top of that, the fast pace of modern life often leads us to rely on ready meals. Yet these meals, high in sugar and salt, contribute to fat build-up. Alcohol is also best avoided. Alcoholic drinks are high in calories, mostly from sugar and carbohydrates. The body stores this sugar as fat, which can lead to the appearance of dimples. Also avoid fizzy drinks, which tend to cause bloating.
Exercise
To reduce belly cellulite, a good diet alone is not enough — regular physical activity is strongly recommended. Practising an endurance sport such as cycling, brisk walking, or running on a regular basis has many benefits. Endurance sports help burn accumulated fat, slim the figure, and firm up the body. By reducing overall body fat, you will also target the fat stored around the stomach. Cellulite can also be linked to poor circulation in the tissues, and physical exercise boosts blood flow, which can help improve circulation.
Other sports such as swimming or aqua aerobics are also effective at reducing belly cellulite, thanks to the draining massage effect of water on the body. In addition, a few targeted exercises to strengthen and tone the stomach can also help you get rid of cellulite.
Sit-up crunch
The first exercise is the sit-up crunch. It is a highly effective move for working the abdominal muscles.
Lie on your back with your knees slightly bent. Keep the soles of your feet flat on the floor, hands behind your head to relieve tension in the neck. Lift your head. Rise up, bringing your torso towards your knees. Round your back to engage your abs while protecting your lower back. Contract your abdominals. Exhale. Lower back down as you inhale.
Perform the movement slowly for maximum effectiveness in strengthening your abs. You can do 4 sets of 10 repetitions, 3 times a week, for example.
Bicycle crunches
The second exercise is the bicycle crunch. This move targets the obliques as well as the entire abdominal area.
Lie on your back. Press your back firmly into the floor. Position your knees and hips at 90°, with your head and shoulders slightly lifted off the ground. Place your hands at your temples. Lift the left side of your upper body and simultaneously bring your left elbow to meet your right knee. Repeat on the other side. Exhale as you bring the knee towards the elbow. Perform alternating movements on each side in 3 sets of 8 repetitions, 3 times a week.
Plank
The third exercise is the plank. This core exercise strengthens the abdominals and helps achieve a flat stomach. It works the obliques, the transverse abdominals, the paraspinal muscles that protect the spine, and the spinal muscles.
Face the floor. Your body weight should rest on your toes and forearms. Keep your back straight, with your legs, hips, and torso perfectly aligned. Extend your legs behind you. Contract your abs and glutes. Breathe slowly and deeply.
Hold for three to five sets of ten to thirty seconds, three times a week.
These 3 exercises, performed 3 times a week, will help you reduce belly cellulite in a lasting way.
Anti-cellulite massages
Anti-cellulite stomach massages help firm the skin on your belly, making it easier to smooth away cellulite. The pinch-and-roll massage is a unique technique. To date, it is the only effective method that delivers lasting results on cellulite and, consequently, on orange-peel skin. The pinch-and-roll technique promotes the drainage of accumulated fat. It also helps drain toxins and stimulate circulation throughout the body.
These massages can be very tiring to perform on yourself by hand. That is why the Cellublue Method was specially designed to perfectly replicate the pinch-and-roll action — effortlessly. In just 3 minutes of massage on the stomach, the fat cells responsible for cellulite are suctioned and dimples are smoothed out. Results are visible in 21 days.
Discover the Anti-Cellulite Method
Below, we walk you through the Cellublue Anti-Cellulite Method for the stomach:
The first step for a successful anti-cellulite massage is to apply the Massage Oil. This first step allows the cups to glide smoothly over your stomach.
Next, take your Cup, pinch it on the sides to release the air. Always start with light pressure.
To control the suction of the cup on your skin, press on the sides to release more or less air.
⏱1 minute
Divide the stomach into two sections — right and left. Place the Cup in the centre, at the bottom of the stomach, and work in diagonal strokes towards the love handles. Repeat.
⏱1 minute
Continue with circular, diagonal movements on each side of the stomach. Repeat.
⏱1 minute
Finish with circular movements over the love handles, working upwards. Repeat.
To discover how to perform the Anti-Cellulite Method on the stomach in video, click below: