| Before getting into the subject of body toning, | | | | change the body we were born with. We can learn |
| consider this: | | | | to live with it and appreciate it. |
| How can various body types be categorized? | | | | Having said that, there are certain changes we can |
| William H. Sheldon in his writings (1940-2) on human | | | | make involving slimming, firming body areas such as |
| physique and temperament introduced a theory | | | | buttocks, hips, breasts, and improving the condition |
| outlining three basic body types. | | | | of our skin. |
| His theory has become accepted in literature dealing | | | | These changes can make a great difference to how |
| with weight, bodybuilding and exercise. | | | | we look and consequently how we feel about |
| In recent years some researchers have gone beyond | | | | ourselves. |
| these three basic categories, one even compiling a | | | | How does aging affect body shape? |
| chart of 45 different body types. | | | | Our muscles gradually begin to shrink with age which |
| This new method of classification deals first with | | | | slows the rate at which we burn calories. The less |
| body proportion and bone structure and then allows | | | | muscles we have, the less calories we burn. |
| for varying levels of fatness or thinness. | | | | So as we begin to lose muscle tissue our fat burning |
| Nevertheless, the three main categories commonly | | | | capacity diminishes and we begin to add weight to |
| recognized are set out below although it must be | | | | various parts of our frame. |
| emphasized these are broad categories. There is | | | | This process often begins after the age of 25. |
| great variation within them and the danger of | | | | In men, the fat tends to go to the mid-section. |
| oversimplification needs to be avoided due to | | | | In women, the fat often goes to the abdominals, |
| numerous combinations. | | | | thighs and buttocks. |
| ECTOMORPH | | | | What is the difference between body toning and |
| - slender or lean | | | | dieting? |
| - thin flat chest | | | | Dieting involves adjusting the diet through |
| - delicate build | | | | supplements or abstinence from certain foods for |
| - young appearance | | | | periods of time in order to lose weight. |
| - tall | | | | Body toning may or may not include weight loss. |
| - lightly muscled | | | | Generally it means firming up parts of the body |
| - stoop-shouldered | | | | through exercise, muscle building and/or the use of |
| - large brain | | | | certain herbal formulas which can be applied to the |
| - has trouble gaining weight | | | | parts of the body needing attention. |
| - muscle growth takes longer | | | | How important is exercise when considering body |
| MESOMORPH | | | | toning? |
| - more muscular | | | | Very important! |
| - hard, muscular body | | | | Walking is one of the best exercises for |
| - overly mature appearance | | | | strengthening bones, controlling weight, toning the leg |
| - rectangular shaped | | | | muscles, maintaining good posture and improving our |
| - thick skin | | | | self-image. |
| - upright posture | | | | Specific exercise and muscle toning programs can |
| - gains or loses weight easily | | | | tighten a protruding stomach, remove the bulge |
| - grows muscle quickly | | | | around the waist, add support to the back muscles, |
| ENDOMORPH | | | | lift and firm a sagging bottom or tone flabby thighs |
| - larger and fleshier | | | | for better-looking, shapelier legs. |
| - soft body | | | | How can I choose pants to flatter my body shape? |
| - underdeveloped muscles | | | | Depending on your body shape keep the following |
| - round shaped | | | | points in mind when choosing pants: |
| - over-developed digestive system | | | | Baggy pants rather than tapered pants are better |
| - trouble losing weight | | | | for wide hips. |
| - generally gains muscle easily | | | | Make shorter legs look longer by choosing slim pants |
| With that background now consider these answers | | | | preferably without turn-ups or cuffs. |
| to frequently asked questions about body toning: | | | | Wide leg pants without back pockets are better for |
| What can I do to change my body shape? | | | | the body with a full bottom. |
| Some modern researchers are emphasizing that | | | | Avoid tapered pants with large thighs. Wide or |
| every body has a natural beauty. Instead of having a | | | | straight leg pants are best. |
| mental image of the "perfect body", they advise | | | | To avoid emphasizing a full bottom, take attention |
| having a realistic view of self and begin to view our | | | | away from this body area by choosing light or bright |
| own body as beautiful. | | | | colored tops with dark pants. Dark colors can have a |
| Any body type can lose or gain weight. This of | | | | slimming effect. |
| course will be in relation to a person's bone structure | | | | If you are considering a cosmetic procedure to assist |
| and body proportion, allowing for varying levels of | | | | with body toning be sure to check out the free |
| fatness or thinness. | | | | research resources below to educate yourself before |
| It must be stated then that we cannot drastically | | | | making a decision. |