Because cellulite is simply fat, many people experts included have claimed that the only way to lose cellulite is to lose body fat. But the most current thinking on cellulite goes a layer deeper, to the muscle that ultimately gives fat its shape. "As women age, they lose muscle," says Wayne L. Westcott, PhD, Prevention advisor and fitness research director at Quincy College. "As that muscle layer becomes thinner, weaker, and less firm, that overlying fat layer now doesn’t have a stable base. The fat crinkles and wrinkles and goes in any direction because there’s not a solid, smooth foundation underneath it."
Each of this exercise works nearly every part of your lower body—butt, hips, and thighs. In fact, they’re so efficient that tagging on just one of the following exercises to your regular workout 3 to 4 times a week can transform your entire lower body. Unless otherwise noted, complete one to three sets of each exercise.
•Clockwork Lunge :
1. STAND with hands on your hips and feet hip-width apart.
2. TAKE a big step forward with your right foot and lower down until your right leg is bent 90° and your left knee is nearly touching the floor. Push back up to starting position.
3. TAKE a big step to the right with your right foot, bending the right knee and keeping the left leg straight. Return to the starting position.
4. TAKE a big step back with your right foot. Lower until left leg is bent 90° and right knee is almost touching the floor. Return to starting position.
REPEAT with the left foot, stepping to the front, then to the left side, then back. That’s one set. Do 15 sets.
•Plié Squat With Alternating Heel Raise :
1. STAND with feet about 3 feet apart, toes pointed out.
2. LOWER down until thighs are nearly parallel to the floor. Push yourself back up to standing. That’s one rep. Do 15 reps.
3. REPEAT the same move, but raise the right heel as you lower down. Do 15 reps.
4. REPEAT the same move, but raise your left heel as you lower your body down. Do 15 reps.
• Alternating Abduction Squats :
PLACE a weighted stability ball about one foot in front of you. (A Swiss ball works, too.)
1. RAISE your right leg and touch the top of the ball with your foot. Use your foot to swipe the ball to the right side, landing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. SQUAT: Bend at your knees and lower your body down until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Push yourself back to standing.
REPEAT using left side
NOTE: If you don’t have a BOSU ball or Swiss ball, do the same motion but without the ball. Raise your knee up to about hip-height, swipe your leg out to the side, and land with feet shoulder-width apart.