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We address: Issues such as Cellulite, Menopause, Beauty Tips, Breast Cancer Awareness |
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I What is Cellulite? I What is the difference between Cellulite and Fat I I Cellulite Treatment I Cellulite Exercise Tips! to do at HOME I
I What is Menopause I Breast Cancer Awareness I
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What is Cellulite
Between 85% and 98% of post-pubescent females display some degree of cellulite ?
Cellulite is a kind of fat tissue in the subcutaneous layer of the skin that contains constricting bands of connective tissue. This connective tissue, which varies in thickness and is laced with fat cells, is held in place by a network of fibres that protects our body, cushioning our muscles and organs, it is also surrounded by a liquid that both nourishes it and provides it with an effective waste system. When all is working well in the system, waste products are removed from the body and smooth curves result; when fats, fluids and toxins are trapped deep in the skin (below the epidural layer), however, the connective tissue thickens and hardens, giving a dimpling effect. As we mature, the layer of skin thins, resulting in the rippled appearance of cellulite.
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What is the difference between cellulite and fat?
Though everyone has a smooth layer of fat, individual amounts depend on weight, lifestyle and genetics. This fat layer is an insulator for the body and cushions the organs, muscles and nerves. Cellulite, on the other hand, is lumpy and provides no padding whatsoever. It only occurs in certain areas of the body: the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and breasts. When men get cellulite, it tends to be on the neck and abdomen.
Cellulite is not necessarily a factor of body weight. You don't have to be heavy to have cellulite. Though diet and lifestyle affect cellulite formation, a large part of cellulite is comprised of toxins and fat that build up in the body, and can affect women of any size, weight and body structure.
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Cellulite Treatment
Don't think that by using a cream you will be able to break down the process of fibrosis or reverse it. No herbal lotion has been proven to remedy the problem.
Massage is supposed to break down the fibrous bands, but there's little hard evidence to support this.
Exercise and toning of the muscles, helps improve the effect!
The only treatment that might have a permanent effect is liposuction. This works by sucking out the fat cells - removing the problem tissue altogether. Once gone, these cells aren't replaced, so the area should remain smooth, However your body may store any added fat in other fat pockets, such as on your face and shoulders.
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Exercise Routines to do at home to help with Cellulite!
Do you have a question? Ask one of our Expert Advisors, click here
Don't forget to warm up first:
5 to 10 minutes of walking on the spot, star jumps, walking up and down the stairs, just to get you started.
Pre Workout Stretch
Do a pre workout stretch, Hold each stretch for 6 seconds, however, don't overstretch!
Back of the arm (click on picture to see exercise routine)
Stand up straight and bend your right arm up and over your head as if you were going to pat yourself on the back.
Support your right arm with your left hand.
Gently pull your right arm to the left until you feel a stretch. Hold and repeat stretch on the other arm.
Chest Stretch
Standing straight, lift your arms out to the side and hold them behind cup one hand within the other. Keep the shoulders down. Hold.
Front of the thighs
Stand tall and hold on to the back of a chair (or stand beside a wall and press against it) with your right hand.
Bend your right leg, hold your right foot around the arch and gently move it backwards until it comes close to your bum.
Keep your hips squared and stand up straight. Hold and repeat stretch on the other thigh.
Back of the thigh
Sit down and put both legs out in front of you , bend on leg as shown, and bend at the hips moving your hand down the leg being stretched.
If you feel pressure behind your knee, it means you're straining the ligaments and you should ease up on the stretch. Hold and repeat stretch on the other leg.
Calves
Stand up and take a large step forwards with your left leg. Both feet should face forwards. Make sure your right knee is over the ankle.
Place you hands on your hips to maintain your balance.
Press you left heel down to the floor. You'll feel your calf muscle start to burn as it stretches. Hold and repeat on the other leg.
Great Now you can do so exercise!
We have put together some very simple home exercises. For our complete range of exercise click here , click on the images to see the complete exercise routine
When you have finished exercising, don't forget to stretch! Follow the stretching tips as outlined above
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What is Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when the function of the ovaries ceases. The ovary, or female gonad, is one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. They are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries produce eggs (ova) and female hormones such as estrogen. During each monthly menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary. The egg travels from the ovary through a fallopian tube to the uterus.
The ovaries are the main source of female hormones, which control the development of female body characteristics such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair. The hormones also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Estrogens also protect the bone. Therefore a woman can develop osteoporosis (thinning of bone) later in life when her ovaries do not produce adequate estrogen.
Menopause does not occur overnight, but rather is a gradual process of transition. This transition period (known as perimenopause) is different for each woman. Scientists are still trying to identify all the factors that initiate and influence this transition. Women in perimenopause transition typically experience abnormal vaginal bleeding such as erratic periods or abnormal bleeding patterns. Eventually a woman's periods will completely stop as she completes this transition into menopause.
The average age of onset of menopause process is 51 years old. But there is no single method to predict when a woman will enter menopause. The age at which a woman starts having menstrual periods is also not related to the age of menopause onset. As a rough "rule of thumb" women tend to undergo menopause at an age similar to that of their mothers.
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Breast Cancer Awareness
About breast cancer
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK after non-melanoma skin cancer. Over 42,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.
Breast cancer claims the lives of 12,400 women each year in the UK. Men can also get breast cancer but it is rare (around 300 cases are diagnosed each year). The good news is, thanks to earlier detection and improved treatment, breast cancer death rates in the UK have fallen by a fifth over the last ten years. Of those women diagnosed with breast cancer today, two-thirds are likely to survive for at least 20 years.
Reducing your risk of breast cancer
The risk of developing breast cancer is strongly linked to age – nearly three-quarters of cases occur in women over 65. But some aspects of your lifestyle also affect your risk.
Being overweight after the menopause for example, can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. So try to maintain a healthy body weight by combining a balanced, low fat diet with regular exercise.
Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer. Try to limit the amount of alcohol you drink each day. And there is also a link between leading an inactive lifestyle and an increased breast cancer risk.
Stay breast aware
A woman's breasts will change in size and shape at different times in her life and during the menstrual cycle. Knowing what your breasts feel like at different times of the month can help you notice any changes. So you should get into the habit of checking your breasts regularly.
It is important to be breast aware (PDF) and you should tell your doctor if you notice any changes in the look or feel of a breast. Be sure to attend breast screenings whenever you are invited. You can still ask for breast screening after the age of 70, just phone or write to your local breast screening unit or GP.
If you are worried about having a family history of breast cancer, you can speak to your GP about a referral to a breast clinic.
For greater information on breast cancer, visit cancer reasearch
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Disclaimer
All content within lifestylexperts is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Lifestylexperts is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of lifestylexperts website. Lifestylexperts is not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites
