Slim but have bad cellulite on legs

[Bgy78]

Hi All, looking for advice on how to get rid of cellulite on my legs. I’ve always thought they were ok but was shocked to notice the other day how bad they were. Especially on the front of my legs just above my knees.

I’ve barely ever been above 9 stone and have always either walked or exercised a reasonable amount. And I drink quite a bit of water everyday.

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to improve this? I am truly shocked!!! 🤣

@gensola Thanks. I also have problems with varicose veins and that's definitely not helped by having heavy thighs! I'll look into it. In the meantime, I'm going to try dry brushing. Anyone have a technique to suggest?

I had that weight thing taken at the gym, which said I was 44% fat .

Just seen " Depilex G5 Cellulite Treatment" advertised at my local salon.
It's a machine massage treatment.
I've tried something like it before, though, and it made no difference.
Probably time better spent going for a brisk walk.

Saw unbelievable improvement after cutting refined sugar out of my diet for a few weeks... couldn't keep it up though so I'm back to square one now unfortunately

Anyone with varicose veins and cellulite should definitely have a Google of lipoedema. I've got stage 3 lip and have just sold my house to sort it as there's one NHS specialist in the UK and he's got a two year waiting list. Its so underdiagnosed it's criminal. There's a significant risk of losing your mobility if it gets to the later stages

Do you drink lots of coffee/alcohol/eat highly processed food or fizzy drinks. More or less got rid of mine after about 6 months of abstaining and walking vigorously for at least an hours 5 days each week. After a year, my thread veins were gone too 😃

Interesting thread, I wonder if similar strategies (exercise and diet) work for stretch marks on legs too?

I'm a Size 8-10 and have cellulite all over my thighs and bum :( I carry so much fat in those areas :(

@Gensola
I think I may have this too! But how does it differ from being pear shaped?

There was a beauty programme on this and the evidence showed dry brushing really really worked.

I think I may have this too! But how does it differ from being pear shaped?
I don't actually know but my friend who is pear shaped has big thighs (and is overweight - her words) but her legs are still "compact ". She has no pitting and they don't feel heavy.

@thesnootiestfox That's awful. I hope you manage to get the treatment you need. I can quite see it affecting mobility if it gets worse.

I’m slim too OP, size 8/10 and get some cellulite. What’s worked for me is dry body brushing, exercise and this:

www.boots.com/nivea-q10-body-gel-cream-firming--goodbye-cellulite-200ml-10064007?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs_HeroCompare--Skincare-_-UK_Brand_Shopping_Skincare+SSC&gclid=CjwKCAjw55-HBhAHEiwARMCszr0_8Y9Kr-XhQ28p_NwxNVPj_PkpcB9iec5ywP4v-bVKcWVWqiKeBRoCAJoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I’ve used it for years and it does really help.

Do you do any exercise? People don't want to do it because it is more effort than the body brushing and creams, but if you want to actually make a difference, building muscle tone is the best way. Squats, cycling, lunges, anything that exercises the legs.

[quote baldafrique]@Gensola
I think I may have this too! But how does it differ from being pear shaped?[/quote]
Being pear shaped is just to do with your bone structure, natural build and the distribution of fat on your body. You can be pear shaped and slim and healthy.

Lipodoema is a medical condition where you have an abormal build up of fat in your legs/arms, and probably more dimpling and bumps than normal cellulite.

@baldafrique in the early stages it’s very hard to tell apart from just being pear shaped, I think this is one reason it’s so poorly diagnosed, until it’s progressing and then obviously much more serious.
Some additional signs are bruising very easily, broken veins/spider veins on affected areas, flesh feeling cold (poor circulation through the diseased fat) and the texture of the fat which isn’t the smooth even blanket of fat it would be on a healthy person, but rather lots of nodules of fat separated by connective tissue.
That plus not being able to lose the fat - I was diagnosed after losing 20kg and having stomach surgery for a twisted bowel, my legs stayed much the same while the rest of my body was wasted away and bony, so it became very obvious there was something wrong with my legs.

I defo think I have Stage 1 lipo rather than being pear shaped then. It's like pockets of fat on thighs and bum only with literally no other fat elsewhere!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ve just ordered some of the Nivea goodbye cellulite gel and going to look on YouTube on how to dry brush.

I suppose my diet isn’t the healthiest! I do like quite sugary things. I’ve tried to reduce my sugar in my coffee but I just can’t stand the taste of it. That’s my next mission. To reduce my sugar intake!

This won't be the answer you want but I have had the same issue my whole adult life as well, and for the first time ever last year I managed to get my legs and bum looking a million times better.

How?
Running 40 miles a week..!

It really sorted them out, but since I ramped down at Christmas due to injury (which has now morphed into laziness) they have gone right back to their cellulite riddled state and I hate them all over again. I know I need to get the trainers back on but I have zero energy or motivation to do it.

Sorry - I don't think all the gels and creams in the world are going to help anywhere near as much as old fashioned exercise (or lipo).

i wonder if my thighs are lipedema now. Even when I was underweight and had bony top half and gaunt face I still had very chunky thighs and bum that I couldnt do anything about. Theyre quite an odd shape at the top. They dont hurt though

Power plate classes got ride of mine. I was amazed. To be honest I always considered cellulite to just be a normal factor of bring a female and not a fault with my body but I was pleased when it went!

Can "saddlebags" on the outer top thighs be a sign of lipodema?

Yes lipoedema...since I've done research on this it's amazing how many people you see with it. Apparently 11% of women have it. My legs are lumpy and bumpy but not overly large so definitely stage 1. Just google all the different stages and you can see how it can progress. I'm going to see Dr Gupta soon, I want summer out of the way as I dont fancy compression garments when it's hot. So scary that's is underdiagnosed. However, NHS look like they'll be offering treatment for the worst cases which is great news.