Running= the best cellulite cure ever?

In our crazy celebrity-focused culture that we live in, I’m sure that everyone is well aware that Jennifer Aniston’s exercise of choice is running (isn’t that weird that we all know this about a total stranger?).  She is always showing up on the cover of the tabloids in her bikini and she always looks great, not a drop of fat anywhere!  When asked how she does it, she always says (all surprised and wide eyed) “Gee… it must be the running”.  Consider the bodies of some other runners like Elle MacPherson and Kelly Ripa and I rest my case.

I have to admit that I too have been a runner, off and on, throughout my adult life and when I run the most, I have the least amount of cellulite (down to—gasp, zero).  There are a few reasons that I have read (and agree from experience) that this is so.  First of all, obviously is that it burns a lot of calories.  Second is that it uses and builds muscles, especially if you sprint or run up and down hilly or sandy terrain.  And third, it creates a vibration that shakes everything flabby and fatty on your body each time you step (just reach back and feel your butt or thighs or muffin tops next time you run—it’s a fat earthquake!!!)  This vibration breaks up fat cells in a way that less jarring cardio doesn’t.  That explains why I get more results when I run outdoors or on a track rather than using the elliptical machine, adaptive motion trainer or even the stair mill or treadmill.  You might think the treadmill would be the same, but you don’t get the same impact (and resulting vibration through the fat) unless you really make an effort to really get your knees up high and really spring into a little jump with every step on the treadmill.  It requires a lot of thought and effort, and even then, it’s just not quite the same.  Whereas running outdoors or on a track, that vibration thing just happens without thinking about it.

For all of these reasons, I went for a run last night on a popular trail near my home.  I went right before sunset so I didn’t have to worry about sun exposure and heat.  It was lovely (the fresh air, the colorful sunset, the trees—aahhh).  The trail was half (or more) uphill and half down hill. It required the use of lots of stabilizer muscles and I really felt it in my calves as I ran on my toes, especially up hill.  The trail is about 3 miles long and I was proud to finish it in about 30 minutes.  After that I came home and did my Ab Ripper DVD, some yoga and then took my bath and called it a night.  I would call this a “night off” from the gym, even though I still worked out.  I have found that my body just cannot handle hitting the weights more than 2-3 nights in a row.  I need a break and this is a good way to give myself the feeling of taking it easy…a little, but not totally slacking off.  It was refreshing.  And now considering the state of Jennifer Aniston’s behind— I will be doing this at least once, maybe twice a week from now on.