We have become so used to seeing incredible celebrity body transformations on television and in magazines that we seem to expect the same level of transformation from our own body. In reality, however, most of us don?t have the sort of money it takes- or the luxury of airbrushing. It is possible to improve our figures but exactly how much can we change the body shape mother nature dealt us?
Our fundamental body shape-skeletal frame, muscle, body fat and distribution of certain hormones-is determined by our genes. According to geneticists, our genes and the hormones we produce during puberty can determine our body shape by as much as 70 per cent? so that leaves about 30 per cent that can be redefined, moulded and determined by exercise and what we eat.
As we get older our bodies naturally lose muscle, but muscle tone can be improved and muscle size can be increased with appropriate exercise. Body fat is directly determined by energy balance- consuming too many calories and not expending them increases body fat, while expending more calories than are consumed encourages body fat reduction. But unless we undergo significant cosmetic surgery, which is a very bad idea, our basic body shape-whether we?re ?big boned? or ?petite?- is pretty fixed.
We generally fall into four broad body shapes. I?ve categorised them as: pear, red pepper,carrot and apple.
You are more pear if:
? Your hips are wider than your shoulders
? You have a smaller upper body frame
? Your top half is 1 to 2 dress sizes smaller than your lower half
You are more red pepper if:
? You have an ample bottom and bust with a defined waist
? You are a classic hourglass shape
? You are prone to gaining weight and storing body fat on arms and legs.
You are more carrot if:
? You have broadish shoulders with slimmer hips
? You have a smallish bottom and bust
? You tend not to hold excess fat around your midriff
? Your waistline is not clearly defined
You are more apple if:
? You store body fat around your midriff rather than hips and thighs
? You are shorter in height
? You have a flattish bottom
