When you look into the mirror after a shower, do you find any wrinkled or puckered skin? This is what many people call cellulite, and it often tends to appear on the buttocks or thighs, although it can show up almost anywhere. Cellulite is basically evidence of extra fat stores under the skin's surface. Although it doesn't differ markedly from other types of fat, some people believe it is stubborn and harder to get rid of.

There is no magical formula to whittle away cellulite from your body. Actually, you can make it disappear in the same way as you get rid of other areas of fat, like on the upper arms or the face. Although you can find special products sold on the Internet or in health food stores that claim to target cellulite, there is no solid evidence that they work. Nor can you rub it away, as some brush or loofah-type products purport. Instead, you will have to go about losing it the same way as you would extra pounds on other parts of your body. Here are some common and healthy ways to start reducing your cellulite.

1. Cut back on eating fatty foods. Tasty dishes like deep-fried items, butter-rich desserts or side dishes, greasy red meat, and other fat-laden entrees or snacks can rapidly pile on the pounds and dimple your skin. Eat spare portions of these things. If you're not sure which foods have high fat content, check packages or calorie counters to find out.

2. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fresh veggies, especially, are tasty and good for you. They are full of water, which helps to flush out your system and get rid of fatty deposits that may be bunching under your skin. Snack on a variety of colors in your plant foods, from green celery to purple plums and orange peaches. You'll stock your system with healthy nutrients, displacing the urge to snack on fatty food items.

3. Drink plenty of water. Most people should try to have eight glasses (eight ounces each) daily, or even one or two glasses more while exercising or in hot weather. This helps to keep your body hydrated, flushes toxins, and may even make you feel fuller so you'll have fewer food cravings. Water is a natural cleanser that can remove harmful substances and nourish each cell.

4. Exercise regularly. Check with your doctor about the plan that is right for you, and then get started. Depending on your health and overall condition, you can probably choose from several types of exercise, including walking, hiking, swimming, biking, tennis, or jogging. Aim for 30 minutes a day to start, unless your doctor says otherwise. Gradually increase the frequency and intensity of your workout, and you will see quicker results.

Making a few basic lifestyle changes will help you get rid of cellulite for good. Ask your doctor to approve changes like these, and then watch that cellulite disappear!