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What Influences Our Body Shape?

Discussion in 'Keep Fit & Maintain Shape' started by Needtobestrong, Nov 4, 2020.

  1. Needtobestrong

    Needtobestrong Platinum IL'ite

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    I have always had self esteem issues with my body shape and size since childhood...
    I have pear shaped body, I.e lower half accumulated weight when compared to upper half..
    Mostly ladies are either Apple, Pear or hourglass shaped...
    Very few ladies are perfectly well proportioned with equal distribution of body fat and nice figure, I.e hourglass figure...
    But ladies either have tendency to accumulate fat on tummy, upper arms, chest etc and mainly on abdomen but with slim hips, legs making them apple shaped...
    Else ladies have more fat accumulation on lower tummy, hips, behind, thigh, legs etc with upper half of body being slightly better making them pear shaped...

    Being pear shaped, I have been able to carry off Indian and ethnic wear as I could use curves to my advantage , but have always been conscious while wearing western outfits...
    Since my teenage years I would long to look stylish in Jeans and T-shirt’s..while T-shirt’s would suit me, getting jeans for my body shape always has been an issue due to wide hips and lower half being broad...I always felt jeans don’t suit me and make me look fat..
    So always would wear slightly longer tops with jeans...
    I have always envied ladies with slimmer hips and thighs and shapely legs..

    The thing is even if I diet and excercise and lose little weight, it makes difference only to upper half of body but not lower...
    .I have faced my share of snide remarks about having broad hips and a fat ***...but nothing I can do about it...

    Was wondering what causes the pattern of fat distribution in our bodies? Is it due to heredity?
    Because my maternal side of family the ladies have pear shaped body..
    Or is it due to hormone changes during puberty which cause fat deposition?
    Any way I can lose weight from the lower half of my body and look somewhat proportional with lifestyle changes like food habits?
     
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  2. Cool10

    Cool10 Silver IL'ite

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    I think body shape is hereditary but we can tone certain body parts. I have an hourglass shape inherited from my father's side of family. But I have always struggled with weight and have been overweight.

    My other siblings though have apple shape and are much slimmer.
     
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  3. anika987

    anika987 IL Hall of Fame

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    Those people who make snide remarks....it is distasteful and shows how unclassy they are!

    It does not matter that shape you are at all.

    There is an athletic body, curvaceous and voluptuous body,slim frame,healthier frame and skinny fat.

    Honestly..many Indians are skinny fat. That is also not healthy.

    Those who do a lot of cardio will be skinny fat.Strength training is the best.Add yoga for flexibility and it will also help curb post workout injury.

    If you really want a fit body,start going to the gym and lift weights.

    I know this is covid time and with inlaws living,kids etc it is very tough for you BUT I believe you have it in you and can do it!

    I hope hubby is supportive enough and some gyms are open.Take some personal training sessions for correct form
    and check out early morning classes.

    3 times a week is more than enough for solid strength workout.Most trainers provide nutrition help and just work with your macros.

    You will have the proportional body in no time!

    Good luck dear.
     
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  4. Hopikrishnan

    Hopikrishnan Platinum IL'ite

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    I think it is in the genes. Even within India, you'd find skinny-fat men in the south, whereas men in certain parts of the North are in what is allegedly the right proportions. When we see policemen in Hyd, Blr, or Chennai, we can feel sorry for them -- how would they ever run, if they have to chase a thief and catch ?

    If one is able to walk much faster than same age people, and happy in one's life, then there is only so much one can do to fix the body.

    One of the good things that has happened in the west is the popularity and attraction of pear-shapes. Kim Kardashian, the reality TV star, who has no significant achievements other than the care, development, and presentation of her pear shape on TV, may have surely contributed to it.

    Here is something from BBC that the OP could read and feel good about her own genetic good luck: Big buttocks: Where does our obsession come from?
     
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  5. Needtobestrong

    Needtobestrong Platinum IL'ite

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    You're right, a gym workout is needed to have a fit body..
    Problem is that husband and in laws are not at all supportive..they're not at all bothered about my physical or mental well being ...
    Gyms are probably open but it's not safe for me to go to gym in this situation..
    Household chores are the only exercise I have now.
    It's not possible for me to cook separate diet food for myself separately....
    I'm following some diet restrictions too, hope I get some positive results for weight loss and toning my body.
     
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  6. Needtobestrong

    Needtobestrong Platinum IL'ite

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    @anika987
    Those “people” who make snide remarks..
    Let me explain...
    My MIL has remarked many times that I’ve gained weight and have a fat ***...
    And my arms it seems are fatter...
    My FIL openly told me to go out walking and make sure my weight doesn’t increase further..
    I’m maybe slightly overweight but really they’re exaggerating...
    My MIL commented a couple of times about how I had thicker hair and nice complexion when I got married but have aged now and my complexion according to her isn’t that nice...
    My husband gets irritated if I ask him whether im really that bad, but he doesn’t disagree with his mum either..
    Sounds familiar to you? People trying to put you down always?
    After some time, it just gets to me and I end up posting something here to vent out..
    I have some orthopaedic related issues hence I’m being on safer side by not attempting heavy workouts..gym is out of question..
    So , any other ways to get a slimmer body and glowing complexion without heavy workouts and expensive facials?
    Do start a few Threads on health, beauty and fitness..
    This pandemic is such a time when ladies want to do self improvement..
     
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  7. anika987

    anika987 IL Hall of Fame

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    Even if you have a fantastic body,there will be a zillion people who will comment about it rudely."Fit-shaming" is like the in thing these days..

    I love fitness and never think of it as a torture.I can even get up at 4 am and workout coz am passionate about it..
    The comments I get?

    1) you are a married older woman..what is the obsession to be fit?
    2)Madam thinks she is a young girl..
    3) Vanity
    4)One of the worst I have got is.."who are you trying to attract?
    5) You have lost your charm etc..


    It is crazy I tell you..ultimately we need to fix our goals and work towards it.
    That is all I have decided.
    Even if I am 90,if I have the strength I promised myself I will workout:) It keeps me light and healthy and calms my anxieties.

    So what is your goal.We can work with that..

    In your situation..what could work is..

    1) Try carb cycling..it works wonders.One day do your regular carbs and other day go low carb.

    2) Can you get up little early 3 days a week and do body weight exercises?Try power yoga..you can it at home,3 days a week.It will do wonders.

    3)Hydrate yourself well.

    4)Consciously cut off junk food.

    Also..if your inlaws comment so much,tell them to give you time to workout.Ask mil to do some help.That way it will be okay.

    Do not worry..it is tough in your situation but take baby steps..you will be good in no time.

    Good luck dear.
     
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  8. sarvantaryamini

    sarvantaryamini Gold IL'ite

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    Do you know waist fat is very bad to health? Maybe you used to exercise your lower part of the body a lot in the past and you don't do it anymore, that's why this is happening? Doing squats and lunges coupled with cardio should help you. Most important do not give in to criticism. Thinking too much and stressing it out also affects metabolism. Keep a positive spirit and don't give up.
     
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  9. nuss

    nuss Platinum IL'ite

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    Why some people are apple-shaped and others are pear-shaped
    "Why some people are apple-shaped and others are pear-shaped
    Source:
    University of Edinburgh
    Summary:
    Scientists have shed light on why some people are apple-shaped and others are pear-shaped. Researchers have pinpointed a protein that plays a part in how fat is stored in the body."
    "People who have metabolic syndrome typically have apple-shaped bodies, meaning they have larger waists and carry a lot of weight around their abdomens. It's thought that having a pear-shaped body — that is, carrying more of your weight around your hips and having a narrower waist — doesn't increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease and other complications of metabolic syndrome." Source: Apple and pear body shapes

    See, peer-shaped is not all bad. It's actually good! I can't remember the book I read a while ago about the evolution of the human body that talked about larger hip areas in women is evolutionarily considered as an attractive trait and thought to have ease in carrying a fetus.

    Unhealthy weight and our body shapes are two entirely different things. You do want to reduce fat if you feel that you have extra fat. Not all of us have time to hit the gym or even go for a daily run/walk. But you can do a few things: walk/run twice a week and do 3 sets of 8 push-ups and sit-ups daily. This would help tone the tummy, arms, and hip area.
    Wear clothes that suit your body shape. You mentioned jeans, jeans look good on pear shape, avoid skinny and try straight or wide-leg jeans. Skirts look beautiful on pear-shaped because you have a naturally narrow waist.

    PS: Never ask your husband about what he thinks, it doesn't go well ever :). Men are so tactless!
     
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  10. Minion

    Minion Platinum IL'ite

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    Some questions have only one answer even if it is asked million times :)

    A Tale of Two Brains

     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2020
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