My dears, I finally managed to put my ideas in order and tell you from my experience so far how I manage the problem of cellulite, stretch marks and skin elasticity after I managed to lose a healthy weight over 43 kilograms. And at the end of the article, a surprise awaits you, which I prepared together with elmiplant and I'm sure you like it a lot.
Before I started #MyBodyJourney, I admit that I had many moments when I was afraid that losing a lot of weight would make me look worse because of sagging skin, cellulite, but also stretch marks. But the truth is, I was apologizing. I'm not saying that my fears were unfounded, but I discovered on my own that things are different in reality.
Therefore, I decided to treat each subject separately and to be as honest as possible with you, even if we will penetrate a little into my privacy and I will no longer be in a comfort zone. But only then will you be able to see if you find yourself and if my experiences can help you.
Are we still getting rid of stretch marks or not?
The first stretch marks appeared at the age of 13, when I started to gain weight more seriously. There were some irregular reddish streaks that scared me a lot at first. Stretch marks occur when collagen structures have poor quality and connective tissue ruptures due to too large and too rapid stretching of the skin. The causes of stretch marks can be many: hormonal, endocrinological, genetic, poor nutrition that produces a large amount of free radicals and so on
They appeared to me in adolescence, and this is not unusual because in 70% teenagers have stretch marks during this period, regardless of gender. Unfortunately, a not very healthy diet is a very important factor that determines their appearance.
Stretch marks are scars on the skin that are reddish or purple at first (and then you have the best chance of improving their appearance), and then they become pearly white and you don't have much to do with them. The ruptures are already quite old and deep, and the stripes are thick.
You never get rid of stretch marks completely, you can only diminish their appearance. Many people have stretch marks and we should not see them as something horrible or difficult for society to accept. Even the top models have stretch marks, but I'm sure they make an effort to improve the appearance of the skin to look their best on the podium.
So what can we do if we have stretch marks?
There are a few more complex procedures which we can perform at salons or specialized centers, and which have a high price. Among the most effective are laser interventions, radio frequency or the AdelineV device which is said to be the best non-invasive therapy at present.
There is also the variant in which you become concerned about your lifestyle and strive to adopt a healthier one to prevent the appearance of new ones and not to aggravate the existing ones. This can be translated into a healthy and balanced diet, rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, intensive care with moisturizers, nutrients and by avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun to keep the skin in the best possible condition.
And there is the option in which you accept them and you come to love them because they are part of you, and you can't hate even a part of you. I chose to accept and love my less beautiful parts as much as the ones I am proud of. And precisely because I respect myself, I decided to take care of my skin with firmness creams every day, to use sunscreen creams when I leave the house and to eat as healthy as possible. You do not have to use the most expensive creams. Maybe not every product is enough, but it is certainly more than nothing. For example, cream elmiplant Bodyshape anti-stretch mark cream is a special product dedicated to this problem and has a formula that aims to restore collagen fibers. This cream contains two special ingredients - Lipofirm and Bioelastine - which stimulate the synthesis of elastin and bring an intake of amino acids and peptides that prevent the appearance of new stretch marks. All you have to do is be consistent and apply at least once a day. And it costs a little (15 lei), so you have no excuse. I personally noticed that if I exfoliate my skin constantly and apply firmness daily, my skin looks better and it seems that the shock of weight loss is not so visible.
The most effective way to get rid of cellulite
Cellulite is a sensitive subject for women, and in recent years even for me. Nobody likes the look of Orange peel so it's no wonder that women are always looking for new solutions to get rid of it. Cellulite has several stages depending on how high the water retention, the degree of body fat and the general state of health of the person. Fortunately, cellulite is a skin condition that can be treated, and the treatment period lasts depending on the severity of the situation.
In my case, I started two years ago from stage four cellulite which means painful nodules and a very uneven appearance of the skin. I had the biggest problems on my hips, thighs and abdomen, and this was one of the reasons why I avoided dresses that were too short. After two years in which I did a lot of sports, I adopted a healthy eating style and I managed to lose over 43 kilograms, I managed to reduce the appearance of cellulite by about 50%. I am very proud of these results, and when I look at the pictures I took along the way (pictures that I will not publish anywhere, I hope you understand that) I feel that all my efforts were worth it.
One of the most important things is to be consistent. Do something every day for your goals, even if the results are not immediately visible.
The decrease in cellulite is certainly a consequence of the fact that I have lost weight and improved my diet, but my biggest drawback is a very poor skin quality. In terms of firmness and elasticity, I am very bad.
Therefore, outdoor care is very important because cellulite is a problem that is solved by mechanical procedures (massages, body therapies, sauna, etc.). If you want to get rid of cellulite and the results are visible, you need to massage, lymphatic drainage and use creams and oils that activate blood circulation to the skin. I remember when I went to the salon to have an anti-cellulite massage that it took 20 minutes until the masseuse managed to activate my skin circulation. But to massage 2-3 times a week is not enough, especially if you have a lot of cellulite. You need to apply special creams and massage yourself daily, even twice a day if you have time.
Thermoactive anti-cellulite creams have always seemed more effective to me, and since 2009 when I discovered the Cellufight range! from elmiplant (I also wrote to you here about her), I stayed true to her because she really gave results on my skin only with the little massages that I do at home alone.
products Cellufight! are designed to smooth the skin and remove the unpleasant appearance of orange peel. All products are based on a formula that retains its natural character and a new generation weight loss asset, SLIMBOOST3, which soothes inflammation caused by cellulite and decongests fat cells, helping them to return to their natural form.
My favorite products from the Cellufight elmiplant range! are Anti-cellulite massage cream and Massage oil. These products contain a hot and powerful combination of natural extracts and active ingredients (guarana high in caffeine, seaweed and black pepper) that stimulate microcirculation and help remove toxins from tissues. In addition, it nourishes and hydrates, while the content of vitamin E It gives the skin a smooth appearance and helps preserve the youth of the epidermis. In summer I prefer to use more oil, and in winter cream. I don't know why, but no matter which of the two you choose to use, if you massage yourself at least once a day, the results appear. I massage either by hand or use a plastic device with legs, about 10 minutes. I stayed faithful to these products from elmiplant because they are also accessible (16-17 lei), but also effective and I can massage my abdomen, buttocks, arms, thighs and hips without problems because they leave the skin very hydrated.
The product was launched last year elmiplant Bodyshape SLIM NO GYM GEL, so the people from elmiplant, knowing that they are a loyal consumer of their products, invited me to test it. The product can be integrated into an active and healthy lifestyle, and is said to mimic the effect of endurance exercise, improving muscle tone. The formula is based ACTIGYM ™, an active ingredient awarded for innovation, which contributes to the development of muscle fibers, helping to efficiently burn fat. Cranberry extract of organic culture in the composition of the product is recognized for its antioxidant and revitalizing properties (price: 22.25 lei).
I'm not a fan of gels because they leave the skin dry, though elmiplant Bodyshape SLIM NO GYM GEL leaves the skin smooth, velvety and perfectly dry. It penetrates the skin very quickly and you can dress immediately without staining your clothes. It is ideal for summer! I tell you that it is a product worth trying and because the results appear after 28 days if you use it twice a day, I recommend you take pictures every 10 days to better notice the differences. I am going to use the gel for at least 42 days because I accepted the challenge and entered #MRemodeling Marathon, but my advice to you is to apply at least one anti-cellulite product daily and massage your skin. This helps keep your skin as elastic and beautiful as possible, and is the little thing you do constantly to enjoy long-term results.
About skin elasticity
One of the most important things I've learned in these two years is that if I want change, I have to make changes. And that means getting out of the comfort zone and replacing the wrong habits with some (better) ones: doing a little sport as often as possible, eating less and healthier, making it a priority to rest, not to be lazy and apply body cream daily, give up coffee sugar and the list goes on and on. But it is very difficult to do this because you do not see the results immediately and this can demotivate you. I'm sure you understand what I'm saying.
At first I was afraid that if I lost weight my skin would sag and I would look worse. Plausible thing, considering how much I had to lose weight, but also the quality of my skin. But fortunately, things are better in practice. The fact that I lost weight slowly and did constant sports, helped the body not to suffer a shock and to adapt better to changes. I think that if I lost weight faster, the skin on my arms would be much harder (and you know that I wear T-shirts often), my abdomen or legs. And because I realized that my skin does not have a very good elasticity, I took more care of its care. Because the little things you do constantly bring the best results: daily massage with moisturizers and firmness, exercise, applying the cream with SPF and the list goes on. You know that word do the details make a difference?
SURPRISE - CONTEST - MEETING WITH THE READERS
Because the subject of skin firmness and cellulite can be debated endlessly, I thought I would invite you to discuss this topic face to face. What do you think, would you like to meet?
I want to invite 7 of my readers on June 28 (afternoon) to a beautiful place (which will be revealed only to the winners) where we can talk like girls about the most effective anti-cellulite tricks, and invite you to join the #Memodeling Marathon with by me and Special Koko. elmiplant will offer the 7 winning products that will make your skin smoother and firmer.
And that's not all because Dana Rogoz will be with us at the meeting and will share her secrets of anti-cellulite beauty!
What do you have to do?
- Give SHARE on Facebook (public) this post with the message: I also want to enter the #MRemodeling Marathon with Ioana Dumitrache and elmiplant!
- Tag pages Ioana Dumitrache and elmiplant.
- Fill out the form here.
You can register until June 22, at 24:00. On June 23, I will announce the 7 winners I will meet on June 28, 2017.
Good luck, I can't wait to meet you!
Photo credit: The Bucharests
The winners who will meet me, Dana Rogoz and Special Koko on June 28, at 18:30 are:
Florentina Tica
Ioana Stănescu
Simona Ionești
Tudor Andreea (she also won on Maria's blog, so I will choose a new winner)
Nicolae Cristina
Preda Laura
Lopataru Andreea
* Fluturas Mihaela (instead of Andreea Tudor)
Congratulations! You will receive an email with all the details of the meeting. Please confirm your attendance at the event by replying to that email. If you do not confirm by Monday, at 16:00, we will choose other winners. Thank you all for participating and I look forward to meeting you!
5 comments
I was a weak person I weighed 52 kg at 170 cm during pregnancy I gained many kilograms and for a while I kept them just for me then gradually I gave my silence and me and the dwarf helped me lose weight again but I was left with stretch marks -I used creams .wrapping .and other tricks but I'm no longer a young lady but it's like I want to reduce cellulite as much as I can.
Hi, Ioana! First of all, I would like to congratulate you for the ambition and will you show. You are living proof that you can lose a lot of discipline. You have lost a lot of weight and I wish you continued success to lose as much weight as you want.
I also recently started a healthier lifestyle, but every time I go out with friends in the city, I don't know what I could eat or drink. :)) If you want, maybe you can write a post about it, about your meals when you go out and how you manage to cope with cravings. Kiss you! An easy week!
Hi, Adelina!
Thank you for the encouragement, and I in turn wish you much success! You should know that I have the same problem as you and I think the biggest challenge comes when you relax, and especially with friends in the city.
It seems to me a very good suggestion and I will even write an article on this topic.
With love,
John
If I hadn't been in my panic attacks, I wish I would have liked to participate, especially since you and Dana are dear to me. I don't comment much, but I follow you from the shadows and I just want to congratulate you for how much you worked and where you ended up and how you look today.
Hi, I started reading this article with some hesitation but I was surprised to discover behind these lines a person who could be an example for me. I started the so-called weight loss regimen several times… but without too many results 🙁. Your words gave me courage, and I understood that in vain I try and struggle with all kinds of cures if I do not adopt a healthy lifestyle, to do constant sports and not to give up so easily… Thank you