Fat & cellulite..if u don't eat u can't lose it!

All healthy people have fat reserves. This is normal. Our bodies need these fat reserves as energy sources and insulation as well as to cushion our internal organs. At no time should we attempt to rid our bodies completely of fat. Yes, some bodybuilders can get their body fat down to 4% or 5% but these are elite athletes that monitor their weight, diets, exercise programs and body composition religiously and they do not maintain these extremely low levels of body fat year round.

Cellulite:
One of the most unpleasant characteristics of excess body fat in women is cellulite. I have a lot of clients asking me exactly what it is, what causes it, why many but not all women have it and of course, how to get rid of it.

Fat is made up of cells called "adipocytes". Their main function is to fill energy reserves in the body. These cells accumulate energy in the form of lipids which are released back to the body when energy is needed. Now adipocytes are basically small accumulations of fat that are encased by fibrous connective tissue between muscle and the dermis (deep layer of skin). When these adipocytes begin to store more energy (fat) than is used by the body they grow bigger and body fat begins to accumulate.

The dimply impressions that begin to form are the result of inelastic fibrous tracts (within the fibrous connective tissue that encases the adipocytes) which function as small cables that are used to keep the dermis over the muscles. When the fat stores are enlarged they begin to bulge in-between the sites where these cables anchor the connective tracts to the muscle walls creating the signature cottage cheese impressions.

Why The Body Stores Fat:

Now that we understand the physiological reason cellulite appears lets discuss why this happens. The obvious reason is if you overeat the fat stores are going to enlarge accordingly - however that is only one scenario.

LADIES PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS. When the body consumes fewer calories than it needs fat reserves increase. That means, when one does not eat enough calories to maintain proper body function (which includes, breathing and digestion along with physical activity) it goes into "starvation mode" and begins to store whatever calories are ingested in the adipocytes so there will be energy available. The fibrous connective tissue that compresses the adipocytes like a net make it very difficult for blood and oxygen to circulate the region which makes cellulite extremely difficult to get rid of once it develops. This is why it becomes harder for many women to lose fat in their "problem" areas than in their non-problematic areas like breasts.

We have all heard this or complained of this: "I am afraid to lose weight because I don't want to lose my breasts. I feel like every time I lose weight my breasts shrink but my butt (or belly or thighs) stay the same."

There are also hormonal reasons as to why cellulite may be present. In women, hormonal variations actually favor subcutaneous water retention. This water retention within fat stores compresses the lymphatic and blood vessels which ultimately slow down circulation which makes the adipocytes or energy reserves harder to mobilize. It's a vicious cycle that will continue until women educate themselves on how the body functions and what they can do to manipulate their genetics. Anything is possible you just have to understand why your body is the way it is and what are the steps necessary to "evolve" it.