Cellulite

WHY CELLU “LITE” !!!!!!

This is a story about a friend who has transformed into a beautiful woman in the last 10 years or so. She looks fit, healthy, and is immaculately groomed. She is compassionate, warm and has a joy of life and living that is thrilling to see.

Firstly, I thought I would ask her about her battle with cellulite as she has tried most treatments and it’s terrific to get some genuine feedback. Then we take a peep into her world and her hopes and dreams for the future. (She prefers to remain anonymous at this point and I respect that wish)

“The obsession with cellulite! How did that happen?”

I don't think I was aware or rather I don't think it bothered me until I was in my forties. The problem is with my thighs because they have the orange peel/lumpy appearance of cellulite. I have been told that mine is actually fibrous tissue under the skin.

“What have you done to try and fix it?”

I have tried many of the products that are on the market - creams, lotions, rubs and massaging. I got a little carried away when using a scrubbing/massaging device to the point of causing some bruising. The things you do!

“Did any of these work?”

No nothing worked. Approximately 2 years ago I entered a trial at a Skin Clinic researching a new cream. I was quite enthusiastic and hoping that this could be the answer. Only one leg was treated with the promise that the other one would be done if there were obvious results.

“So what happened?”

Well, firstly the therapist used a device to abrade the skin, the idea being that this would help the cream penetrate and work on the cellulite. I attended the Clinic once a week for a couple of months but unfortunately there was no cellulite improvement at all.

“How did you try to resolve the problem then?”

I tend to keep them covered and at the beach I always wear a sarong.

“Would fake tanning help?”

I think it might help a little as the skin tends to look a bit better with some colour.

“How do you feel when you see others with cellulite at the beach?”

A little disappointed as I think that it's much more flattering if women who have cellulite wear a sarong! That says I lot about me I know! I just feel more comfortable when I wear one.

“So you made the big decision to have ‘the’ cellulite treatment?”

Yes, it's called endermologie and I had three ten session treatments. It is quite expensive but I was determined to give it a go as I had tried everything else.

“How does it work?”

You lie on a table and the operator uses a device which is attached to a machine. The device has rollers which suctions and releases the skin as it is massaged over the body. It takes about 40 minutes and is not unpleasant. You are also encouraged to drink 2 litres of water a day and do exercise at the same time as this helps in removing the toxins from your system.

“So the all important question, did it work?”

I would have to say that in my case not really, even though there was a reduction in centimetres, the cellulite is still there. I think my age was against me in regard to this treatment. Maybe it might give you a better result if you were younger.

“Has the appearance of your skin changed?”

Not really, certainly not the transformation I was hoping for. I think probably it has a lot to do with my age. Again, I say it is more likely that a younger woman would get a better result.

Here is a woman, in her fifties attempting to change things about herself, but the changes she has made ‘within’ herself have been the monumental ones.

Arriving in Australia as a small child she tells me she always felt like she began pedalling on the back foot. Not understanding the language was a struggle in those early years.

However, she did manage to survive the school years and by 21 was married. She and her husband bought an old house and completely renovated it. She worked for about 10 years before having her adored son. When he was about 6 years old her husband was transferred overseas and I get the sense that things were not so terrific for her then. The marriage was under strain.

They returned to Australia and faced more struggles, however they still managed to build a new home. It was her 'dreamhome' and her life revolved around keeping it perfect. But, her inbuilt perfection held her in the marriage until her son left his final year at school. "I felt the extreme guilt of believing that if I left the marriage during the years of my son’s development, I would ruin his perception of what his life and family was all about".

When the marriage was finally over she felt guilt, disappointment and was very unhappy. For years she focused her attention on the house, it was her life, her pride and joy as she knew she was good at keeping this beautiful home in immaculate condition. She also devoted a lot of her time to her much loved dog who became her protector and her friend.

Then one day her mother said to her "I hope I live long enough to see the day you sell your house". Her mum could see that the house was consuming her every second. Mums are always good at spotting things. Anyhow, some time later when her beloved dog became ill and needed to be put down, her mum’s words sparked a little light within her. It was time to move on and sell her ‘shrine’. A new house was purchased and fortunately her mum witnessed the move.

Close one door, as they say, and another one opens.

It did for our Wise Woman. Into her ‘brand new home’ walked a ‘brand new woman’. From that moment life began to change. She was already working so her world was opening up, she started to think about herself, her needs and her wants. Around this time, as luck would have it, a wonderful man entered her life. The time was right and the relationship has grown into a wonderful friendship and romance. Her world was tumbling and changing and now finally her life was exciting and fun.

"What are your dreams and hopes for the future?"

"You will laugh, but I would love to build another home, a home away from home if you like, with the man in my life. Somewhere looking out over the ocean where we can enjoy our surroundings and spend time with each other".

I asked her how she felt she had changed - "Still the perfectionist, but so much calmer, so much happier and content".

“And the legs!”

"I've tried everything possible, so in the scheme of things, I just have to learn not to seek perfection in absolutely everything ".

Bravo, you really are a Wisewoman…….