It’s Not All About Weight Loss - How to Get the Body Shape That You Want

Melissa Lobo   is a young and energetic writer, a mom to a sweet little boy, and a fur-mom to two perfect pooches. Before becoming the Associate Content Director for Project Female, she was a journalist specializing in topics related to women in politics and policy affecting women. Today she is sharing an article she wrote just for the Healthy Lombard blog:

Bodies come in different shapes. Some have it lucky and do not need the additional advantages that taking a breast pill or other supplements can provide. Others have to make do with what they have been born with. Luckily, there are a few ways that are available for us so that we can still achieve the look we want for ourselves.

One of the most tried-and-tested methods that we can turn to is weight loss. If you have an apple-shaped body, for instance, and you would like to look more slender, losing a few pounds off your midsection can do a lot. This is because fat distribution plays a huge role in how we look. If your body typically stores fat around your tummy, keeping your weight in check may help restrict the appearance of a rotund stomach.

In addition, weight loss can help you direct focus to areas in your body that you do want to accentuate. If you have broad shoulders and narrow hips and you want to lessen the width of your shoulders, weight loss can help in making it look like the weight is evenly distributed.

The thing, though, is that weight loss is not the only option that you have, if you want to hack your body shape and look exactly how you prefer. There are two other key things that you can try to make that possible.

Doing the Right Exercises For Your Desired Body Shape

 Exercise is the answer to many things, and in the case of getting the body shape that you want, it is also a reasonable solution. This is because consistent and continuous training can help whip your body into better shape. But if you want to achieve a certain shape, there should be specific focus on doing the kind of exercises that will help you achieve just that.

For example, if you have narrow shoulders and hips and you would like to add more definition to your hips, doing exercises that target that specific area is recommended. Why? If you train in such a way that the same muscles are used, those muscles will increase in mass and become more noticeable over time. The longer you go through your training, better the visible results are bound to be. Similarly, if you want to tone your abdominal muscles so that you can get a narrower waist, core exercises are your best bet.

Now, it is important to remember that you must have dedication while exercising, if you want to make the most out of your training. Remember that results will not come easy nor fast, and you need to put in the work and effort required to manifest the outcome that you desire. Be prepared to commit to at least three thirty-minute sessions a week.

Also, while exercising, change up your pace or routines every so often. The human body will experience a plateau after a period of repetitive activity, and achieving the goals you’ve set for yourself may get tougher. When you experience this, ask for a different training program that can still work the areas that you need.

Choosing Clothes That Fit Your Body Type

It is also important to stick to clothes that best complement your body type, instead of forcing lines that may only further define what you are trying to hide. For example, if you have a ruler-type body shape and you would like to look more padded around the hips, try to steer clear of clothes that are tight-fitting around the lower body area. It may seem counterintuitive to you because you think that the tighter the fit, the more definition it will create, but for the illusion of more mass, building on what already exists instead of sticking to it is always better. You can choose to wear skirts with details that provide the impression of width, such as those with pleats.

If you have a pear-shaped body type and you would like to look like you have an hourglass figure, you can opt for clothes that play up your shoulders and top. Off-the-shoulder pieces, for instance, that fall snugly around the waist, paired with skinny jeans, can create a more balanced look.

Other Things to Consider

Additionally, do not underestimate the value of good nutrition. This means that you need to make responsible eating choices, especially if you are exercising. True, eating fruits every day will not immediately get you the definition or mass that you are hoping for, but it is directly beneficial to the results that you will get through exercise.

Making other healthy lifestyle choices is also key. If you’re training for a narrower waist, it is best to limit alcohol consumption to the bare minimum. And do not forget to get rest. This does not only refer to the number of hours of sleep that you should get every day, but also when you’re exercising. If you feel like you have pushed your body to its limits, take a break so that you can go back to the grind better and stronger.

Sources:

https://www.livestrong.com/article/340207-how-to-change-your-body-shape-by-exercise/

http://theconversation.com/how-we-can-change-our-body-shape-with-exercise-67642