by Lisa Adams

If you are one of the millions of women who have spent money on cellulite creams and lotions, let me ask you a question … did they work?

For your sake, I hope they did, because no woman wants cellulite, particularly on their thighs and rear ends. Cellulite is present on just about every woman over the age of puberty, and there are hereditary factors at play as well. It’s just that some of us have more visible cellulite than others.

And for those of you that have plunked down your hard earned cash for so-called miracle cellulite solutions that haven’t worked, let’s talk about real solutions. It’s very easy to buy into hype. Unfortunately, hype doesn’t have staying power. If you’re finding your cellulite has staying power though, here’s some straight talk facts and an action plan to finally reduce cellulite.

First off, cellulite is fat. There, we said it. Cellulite is fat just like any other fat, except it usually looks worse. Even though we’re bombarded every day by marketing messages claiming an instant miracle cure to melt away fat, all those pie in the sky promises do is leave you disillusioned and disappointed.

If you’re finally ready to get past the instant cure mindset, you can indeed significantly reduce cellulite. Will getting results mean changing your lifestyle? Yes, probably. Will reducing cellulite mean you’ll have to work at it a bit? Definitely. But if you carry through with a sound, reasonable action plan, will you see the results you want? Absolutely!

OK … here’s an action plan to help you reduce cellulite, once and for all. First, let’s concentrate on your diet. No one says you have to eat celery and carrot sticks. That’s not reasonable and you won’t stick with it. My recommendation is to change your lifestyle gradually. Eliminate one fast food meal per week and pack a healthy lunch instead. Substitute a glass of water for that latte or soda once per day. Little changes add up over the course of time. If your goal is more near term, implement these changes more quickly.

Next, you’ll need to commit to some aerobic activity. It really isn’t that hard, and we’ve got an easy to follow, but challenging, treadmill workout that’ll really burn calories and tone your problem cellulite areas. Here goes …

Plan for a 45 minute treadmill workout. If you’re just starting or have restrictions, substitute walking for running in our example. A friend and I have been doing this workout for 6 months, and it’s an outstanding fat burning workout. For the most part, you’ll break up the 45 minutes into 5 minute intervals to keep things fun, fresh, and challenging. Spend the 45 workout doing this:

1. 5 minute warm up walk at whatever speed is comfortable for you.

2. 5 minute walk at the same speed but with the treadmill incline at 5 degrees.

3. 5 minute jog, incline at 5 degrees, at a speed that requires you to jog.

4. 5 minute walk at treadmill incline 5 degrees.

At this point, you’ve completed 20 minutes, your heart rate is up, and you’re warmed up. Now it’s time for 15 minutes of interval training. This will be more challenging, but should be easy to do since it’ll be in 3 minute increments. 3 minutes x 5 intervals = 15 minutes.

Interval One: Run/Jog 1 minute at treadmill incline 6 degrees. Now walk two minutes, reducing speed but leaving the treadmill incline at 6.

Interval Two: Run/Jog 1 minute at incline 7 degrees, walk 2 minutes at incline 7.

Interval Three: Run/Jog 1 minute at incline 8 degrees, walk 2 minutes at the same incline.

Interval Four: Run/Jog 1 minute at incline 9 degrees, walk 2 minutes also at 9 degrees.

Interval Five: Run/Jog 1 minute at incline 10 degrees, walk 2 minutes at incline 10.

You’ve now done 35 minutes. It’s time to start cooling down!

5 minute walk at incline 5 degrees.

Finally, a 5 minute cool down walk with no incline.

That’s 45 minutes, and you’ve gotten a great fat burning workout, with particular emphasis on your cellulite problem areas (thighs and rear end). The best part about this workout is it’s easily adaptable. You can alter this workout to make it harder or easier according to your fitness level.

Also, this workout keeps you engaged and involved, and you’ll find the time will move quickly, as opposed to simply walking or jogging at the same speed, which can seem an eternity. Combined with some healthier eating habits, performing this fat blasting workout three times per week will reshape your body in ways you’ve never dreamed possible!

About the Author:

Lisa Adams is a mom with full time job responsibilities who has incorporated healthier habits in her life to feel happier and more fit. To pick up more tips about how to reduce cellulite, be sure to visit Lisa’s recommended cellulite reduction strategies site.