Tag » cellulite

Weight Loss Options

Losing weight can be a challenge for many people. It requires dedication, perseverance and planning. One of the main things that people should consider before beginning a weight loss program is what the program requires and if that person’s lifestyle can accommodate it.

Here are five ways to consider approaching weight loss before you begin.

A weight loss program such as Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers.

These programs offer specialty foods designed to taste great but promote weight loss, points systems, and regular meetings. The weekly meetings offered by Weight Watchers are great support networks and many people who attend find they make wonderful friends there.

Surgical Procedures

Let’s face it, this is a society where plastic surgery to improve one’s appearance is becoming more and more common. Many people consider the practicality of liposuction, lipodissolving, gastric bypass surgery or even products like The Lap Band and The Gastric Balloon.

Surgical weight loss is costly, and the recovery times differ for everyone. Tummy tucks are becoming common place for those who have lost weight and have loose skin. Liposuction is occurring more frequently, and new procedures are being developed frequently.

Body Wraps

By covering the body with a paste made of mineral salt and clay, then wrapping the body with cotton strips pre-soaked with a solution made of the same ingredients, body wraps cleanse the skin of toxins and exfoliate it. The cotton wraps promises to tighten skin and reduce your appearance by up to six inches. Since the clay and mineral salt hardens on the skin, it holds soft tissue in place for a period of time. It’s effects are not permanent.

Diet Plans

Atkins, South Beach, Slimfast, they come and go so quick who can keep track of them all? There’s no denying though, some people do find great success in these plans when they follow them correctly and get lots of exercise in their daily lives. Sometimes, a diet plan is great for someone who just isn’t sure how to make the right changes in their life but doesn’t care for surgical weightloss. Do your research, ensure the diet plan you consider meets your daily nutrition requirements. Consult with your physician before beginning any diet plan and make sure it works for you.

It’s Not A Diet, It’s A Lifestyle Change

Tried and true, this is the only diet plan that has passed the test of time. Ask anyone who has tried it – it took lots of patience, lots of hard work, and lots of diligence, but it worked. By changing your lifestyle to include healthier eating and living habits, ensuring you get lots of exercise and cut out processed foods, you’ll not only lose weight but will be all around healthier. You’ll live longer, feel happier and more energetic. Talk to your physician about developing a new lifestyle that will curb your ailments and keep you healthy for years to come.


Effective Ways to Remove Cellulite

Cellulite is an unsightly problem that plagues many people across the world. North American women are perhaps the most aware of these complex fat deposits on our bodies more so than any other due to our fascination with our appearance. We try anything and everything on the market to be rid of our lovely little pockets of interlocked fat cells. With so many options available, what really works to get rid of cellulite?

By eating healthy, low-fat foods you’ll reduce the amount of fats being taken into your body, especially “bad” fats like trans fats. Keep in mind, not all fats are bad for you, so talk to your physician about a healthy eating plan. Practicing healthy eating also has other wonderful side effects, such as increased energy. Although you won’t see those existing lumps of cellulite disappear from your thighs, you’ll stop seeing new ones develop and the ones you do have will slowly begin to diminish in size.

Aerobic exercise, which increases the heart rate and blood flow, burns lots of calories. After thirty minutes of aerobic exercise, your body stops burning calories and begins to burn excess fat cells. By combining aerobic exercise and strength training with your new wholesome eating habits, you’ll see more results and faster. This is easily the most effective, although lengthiest, method of reducing fat since it simply requires a person to live an active, healthy lifestyle.

Creams and lotions that claim to reduce and/or remove cellulite are abundant in today’s cosmetic market. While it hasn’t been proven, many women will state with confidence that a particular product has worked for them. These creams contain ingredients that boost fat metabolism, but not all creams use the same metabolism-booster. One kind of stimulant may work for Jane, but Joan may need the cream that uses a different kind of stimulant and costs quite a bit more.

If you’re really determined to see fast results, you might consider a surgical procedure such as liposuction. Liposuction is a surgical procedure where a tiny suction tool is inserted beneath the skin and the excess fat is simply sucked out.

Lipodissolve is a new, non-surgical method of helping a patient lose fat mass by use of small injections that can contain a variety of ingredients designed to break fat cells down, also known as mesotherapy. Those who practice the procedure claim it permanently removes fat from the body.

Whatever method you choose, be sure to consult with your physician first. Ensure that the plan you’ve created is a healthy one. Make sure any creams you try do not contain ingredients you are allergic or sensitive to. Most importantly, take a sensible approach to removing cellulite. It will take time to see your cellulite disappear, but it will most certainly be worth it in the end.


Thermage as a Liposuction Alternative

While there are several liposuction alternatives that offer minimal recovery time, no use of anesthetic and non-invasive techniques, thermage is one of the most popular ways to contour the body and produce the look of liposuction without the drawbacks thereof.  It is also the most non-invasive technique available on the market today, making it a very desirable choice for those wishing to remove fat or cellulite and sagging skin.

Thermage--A Rear Tightener

Thermage--A Rear Tightener

Thermage is a painless procedure accomplished by use of a heated laser. The heated laser melts the fat and allows it to be removed through natural methods. The most commonly utilized version of Thermage is on the face, and results are very similar to those of a traditional face-lift (without the pain and recovery time). However, Thermage is also a very popular way to tone the abdominal area, arms, thighs, and rear.

This technique is performed by a plastic surgeon, and one should never allow someone who is not a professionally trained plastic surgeon to perform this procedure.   A session is usually all it takes to see maximum results, and one session can last between thirty minutes and two hours.

Those who suffer from mild acne scars or from rough skin have also found relief in Thermage. It is a highly effective way to smooth and shape skin, and can even be used to remove the appearance of sagging skin or stretch marks due to pregnancy.

No recovery time, no invasive surgery, no anesthetic, and limited session time are very large benefits of Thermage. The old saying “No pain, no gain” has lost its meaning with this procedure, as it is no longer required of men and women to go through painful invasive surgery to look and feel their best.


Herbal Body Wraps: A Liposuction Alternative

Body wraps are a relaxing,  warm way to melt away unwanted inches and reduce the appearance of cellulite. They also improve the look and feel of skin, making it appear healthier and younger. Body wraps have both therapeutic and cosmetic benefits for most people, but one should beware of overdoing it (like most types of skin treatments). In addition, watch out for allergic reactions, and always ask what ingredients are in the wrap before allowing it to be applied.

Herbal body wraps contain additional herbs and essential oils that help open the pores and remove toxins and loosen excess fluids from the skin. They can be done in a spa (for around $40 a treatment hour) or at home (for a fraction of the cost), depending on how comfortable one is with preparing the mixture and applying it to the skin.

Essential oils are important to an herbal body wrap, and cause marked improvement in the skin. If done correctly, an herbal body wrap can reduce up to 20 inches, depending on the person. The types of oils typically used include:

  • Lavender
  • Sage or rosemary
  • Lemon or lemongrass
  • Sandalwood
  • Olive oil
  • Grapefruit

Herbs are, of course, what gives the herbal body wrap its name and can usually be used individually or in combination. While it is not vital to add an herb or herb mixture to the wrap to make it successful, it can be helpful and can improve the overall effectiveness of the herbal body wrap. Typically used herbs:

  • Alfalfa leaf or leaf powder
  • Ground basil
  • Chamomile powder
  • Rose petals or rose petal powder
  • Rosehips or rosehip powder

Experts recommend staying wrapped in the chosen mixture for between 45 and 60 minutes, followed by a cool or warm bath. Many people choose to lie in the bathtub while letting the mixture soak, as it is very messy. It is important to avoid fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol, fried food, sodas, and similar items for at least 48 hours after the herbal body wrap to maximize results.

Herbal body wraps can be an excellent way to shed those inches, but remember that an improper diet and lack of exercise will cause the inches to come back quickly. While the herbal body wraps are effective, they will not solve underlying issues with weight gain or water retention, and one should always seek the opinion of a doctor or spa professional before attempting to do a wrap from home.