Several factors explain the appearance of cellulite on the stomach, also known as belly cellulite or abdominal cellulite. Poor lifestyle habits are often to blame. As summer approaches, what woman doesn’t want to pamper the skin on her stomach and feel good about it? To take care of the skin on your stomach, you can rely on a varied diet, massages and a few targeted exercises. Here are some tips on the different types of cellulite, the foods to favour and avoid, three exercises for the stomach and the massage steps with the Cellublue Method.
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
When it comes to what’s on your plate, as our article on the anti-cellulite diet explains, it is important to adopt a balanced diet. A varied diet starts with fruits and vegetables, which are rich in micronutrients.
- Among the fruits to put on the menu are papaya and pineapple. Papaya contains papain, an enzyme found naturally in the fruit. Pineapple contains bromelain, another enzyme.
- Vegetables are also highly recommended as they are rich in antioxidants. Leek and cabbage are high in potassium and are easy to cook in soups or gratins. Bell peppers, meanwhile, add crunch and colour to your salads, and onion has its place on your plate too. Fruits and vegetables are also packed with water, which makes them fresh and pleasant to eat.
- It is essential to stay well hydrated, so make sure you drink enough water every day. That said, not all drinks are equal: opt for water, preferably low in sodium. You can also enjoy tea, which is rich in antioxidants and goes well with a balanced diet.
A balanced diet and good hydration are part of good everyday habits, alongside your skincare routine.
Foods to avoid
To look after your stomach, start by cutting down on a few bad habits, beginning with snacking. When we snack, we tend to reach for sugary or salty foods, which are best kept to a minimum.
On top of that, the fast pace of modern life often leads us to rely on ready meals. Yet these meals are often very high in sugar and salt, so it is best to limit them. Alcohol is also best avoided. Alcoholic drinks are high in calories, mostly from sugar and carbohydrates, so they are best saved for special occasions and enjoyed in moderation. It is also a good idea to limit fizzy drinks and choose still water day to day.
Exercise
To take care of your stomach, alongside a varied diet, physical activity is strongly recommended. Practising an endurance sport such as cycling, brisk walking or running on a regular basis is an excellent habit. Endurance sports help you stay active and work the whole body, including the stomach. Regular physical activity also encourages you to move more throughout the day.
Other sports such as swimming or aqua aerobics can also be included in your routine, particularly for the massage-like feel of the water on the body. In addition, a few targeted exercises to strengthen and tone the stomach can round off your anti-cellulite routine.
Sit-up crunch
The first exercise is the sit-up crunch. It is a classic 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, with your hands behind your head to support your 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 to properly engage 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 exercise engages the abdominals. 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 can be built into a regular core-strengthening routine, 3 times a week.
Anti-cellulite massages
Anti-cellulite stomach massages are a way to care for the skin on your belly as part of your routine against cellulite. The pinch-and-roll massage is a unique technique. It involves pinching and rolling the skin between your fingers over areas of orange-peel skin, particularly where dimples are visible.
These massages can be very tiring to perform on yourself by hand. That is why the Cellublue Method was specially designed to take its inspiration from the pinch-and-roll action, making it easier than doing it by hand. In just 3 minutes of massage on the stomach, the areas of cellulite are suctioned and massaged.
Discover the Anti-Cellulite Method
How to use Cellublue on your stomach?
The Cellublue Method on the stomach takes just 3 minutes and involves a few simple steps. 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 on video, click below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6WcERAyCi0&t=5s
Frequently asked questions
How do you get rid of belly cellulite naturally?
A varied, balanced diet and good hydration are part of good everyday habits. You’ll find everything you need in the “Foods to favour” and “Foods to avoid” sections.
How can exercise fit into a routine for the stomach area?
Regular physical activity and a few targeted stomach exercises can complement your anti-cellulite routine: see the “Exercise” section for details. If you experience any pain or have a medical condition, ask your doctor for advice.
How do you tackle cellulite on your stomach?
Combine a balanced diet, regular physical activity and a stomach massage as part of a regular routine to take care of your skin.
Related articles
- Flat belly challenge: ab workouts, meal plans and coach tips
- Probiotics: what they are and where to find them
- Foods and Your Belly: Which Ones to Limit and Why
Useful categories: Belly cellulite.
