What is cellulite? Most of us think we know, because we can recognize cellulite when we see it. It's the lumpy, waffle-looking fat that accumulates on female thighs and buttocks. Because of its unique appearance, cellulite appears to be a different kind of fat.

        It's not.

        Cellulite is caused by a combination of factors. Fat cells actually are connective-tissue cells that welcome fat for storage. Fat cells form a grid that resembles a honeycomb, and when each fat cell is full of fat, it balloons upward and takes on the appearance of a mushroom cap. The caps in turn push outward on the skin.

        Women tend to have thinner skin than men. The combination of thin skin and overflowing fat cells just below the skin results in the waffle look of cellulite.
       

The problem
               The problemis compounded by cellulite's location and resistance to reduction. Younger women tend to store most of their body fat below the waist. After menopause, the abdominal region is targeted and a poochy belly results.

        Unfortunately, fat stored below the waist is stubborn, because research suggests that lower body fat in women is held in reserve for emergencies — the greatest being the support of new life. This means lower body fat can be mobilized and used as fuel after childbirth and during lactation, but otherwise, nature doesn't surrender it easily. In contrast, abdominal fat can be burned off much more easily.
       

The solution
               Most women will suffer from this condition at some point, to some degree. Cellulite is a fact of life. Does this mean it's hopeless?

        No. But you must be realistic and substantially lower your expectations if you intend to attack cellulite with diet and exercise.

        Do the right things. Exercise daily and follow a healthy, low-fat and low-sugar diet. When you have depleted fat from fat cells throughout your body, you will begin to attack the fat in areas below the waist — the stronghold of cellulite.
       

Facing facts
               Losing body fat first from areas that you don't particularly want to reduce is unwelcome news, I know, but that's the way it is. There is no special exercise program to follow that will accelerate the process.

        Thigh exercises, for example, will have no effect on the layer of fat covering the thigh muscles. The thigh muscles will get stronger, of course, but the fat will remain.

        Your best bet is a well-rounded exercise program. Aerobics will burn the most calories per minute. You should shoot for at least 300 calories per exercise session. Weight training will add muscle mass, which will help you burn more calories at rest. This, combined with a good diet, will maximize what you can do.

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