Can Diet or Exercise Diminish Stomach Cellulite? Doctors and Trainers Have the Answer

"Cellulite occurs when fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath the skin, giving it a lumpy, dimpled appearance. It usually affects the buttocks and thighs but can affect other areas as well, including the abdomen and upper arms," NYC dermatologist Hadley King, MD, told POPSUGAR.

Cellulite can affect both men and women, but it's more common in women due to the different distributions of fat, muscle, and connective tissue. He said, "between 80 and 90 percent of women may experience cellulite at some point in their lives — which tells us that cellulite is very normal!"

Hormones likely play an important role in cellulite development, Dr. King explained. "Estrogen, insulin, noradrenaline, thyroid hormones, and prolactin all play a part in the formation of cellulite," which is another reason it's more prominent in women.

Genetics are also a key factor in where you have cellulite, explained Bruce Katz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of JUVA Skin & Laser Center in NYC. Some people are just more predisposed to it than others (you can thank your mom for that).

"The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has reviewed a number of techniques that may be successful in reducing the appearance of cellulite by breaking up the bands of connective tissue under the skin's surface," said Dr. King. "If I were to choose the techniques that I believe are most likely to produce results, I would choose laser treatment, subcision, or vacuum-assisted precise tissue release," which the AAD also recommends, but these are invasive and expensive, so they're not an option for most people.

Dr. Katz reiterated that cellulite is nothing to be ashamed of, but if you're self-conscious about it, there are are a few simple lifestyle choices you can make to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Losing weight is one way to reduce stomach cellulite. Although you can't spot reduce fat from your belly, lowering your overall body fat percentage will help you get leaner, including in your stomach.

Experts agree that in order to reduce your overall body fat percentage, diet is key and will help to diminish belly fat. While eating your favorite foods like pizza and ice cream is OK a few times a week, it's essential to focus on eating a nutritious diet, including whole foods, complex carbs like whole grains, adequate protein, and healthy fats at consistent times throughout the day, recommended registered dietitian Jessica Levings from Balanced Pantry.

Creating a moderate calorie deficit is also important. Jessica recommends making an appointment with a registered dietitian so he or she can help you design an individualized eating plan based on your calorie needs and weight goals. If you're unable to meet with an RD, use this formula to calculate your daily calories.

"One of the biggest culprits for causing cellulite is sugary sweet snacks and processed foods," explained Manish Shah, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Denver. "Sugar is stored in our fat cells, and having too much will cause them to expand, thus creating the appearance of cellulite."

Sugar and refined carbs also have an effect on your insulin levels. Jason Fung, MD, a nephrologist, explained in a previous interview that foods such as doughnuts, cookies, candy, pasta, and white bread spike your insulin levels, which can cause weight gain. Keeping your insulin levels low will help reduce your overall body fat percentage, and that means belly fat.

Alcohol tends to have high amounts of sugar, which may only make cellulite more noticeable. Also, alcohol consumption has been linked to abdominal fat, registered dietitian Whitney English, MS, of Whitney E. RD shared in a previous interview. One reason is that when you drink alcohol, which your body can't store like it can fat, protein, and carbs, your liver prioritizes processing the alcohol, which interferes with your metabolism. This leads to the storage of more fat in your body (and your belly), so limit the glasses of wine, beer, and cocktails.

Although you can't completely get rid of cellulite, you can diminish it by losing weight with exercise in combination with a healthy diet. Some workouts are more effective than others, and ISSA-certified trainer Jamie Hickey recommended high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts. HIIT workouts are the most effective type of cardio proven to target belly fat. It not only works but also saves you time at the gym.

"The whole workout, including warmup, doesn't need to be more than 45 minutes to be effective," ACE-certified fitness instructor John Kersbergen said in a previous interview. He added that three to four times a week is enough. Here are some HIIT workouts you can try:

• HIIT Bodyweight Workout
• This 45-Minute HIIT Workout Will Help Shrink Your Belly
• 20-Minute HIIT Workout
• 30-Minute Cardio and Core Workout For Strong, Hot Abs
• This CrossFit HIIT Workout Is Just 12 Minutes, but You'll Be Toast Afterward

Skip the endless hours of cardio (HIIT is more efficient anyway) and make sure you incorporate strength training into your fitness plan, recommended NASM-certified trainer and exercise physiologist Krissi Williford. You can lift weights like dumbbells or barbells, or use bodyweight movements. Strength training will increase your muscle mass to burn more calories at rest and speed up your metabolism, explained Nicole Aurigemma, a physiologist at the Penn State Muscle Biology Lab, in a previous interview.

Aim for at least three strength-training sessions a week, include all parts of your body, incorporate different exercises, and use a variety of equipment. Try these strength-training workouts:

• 40-Minute Fat-Loss Workout
• 40-Minute Home Workout
• Basic Total-Body Dumbbell Workout
• 60-Minute Leg and Butt Workout
• 9-Minute Ab Workout
• Dumbbell Arm Workout