Apples and Pears

Thank you Shonda (not Shawnda) for the inspiration for this blog. Your comment on my Blog post A Manly Rant got me thinking. This isn’t per se an exploration of fitness after forty but your body shape tends to stay with you along life’s path so I think it is relative.

Generally, the taller you are the easier it is to hide the weight. I am 5’8” and I have to admit I can hide 5 pounds better than my 5’3” sister. My girlfriend is short and stout but not fat. She refers to herself as a “ten pound pack in a five pound sack.” Body builders tend to weigh more than their lean bodies present due to the extensive amount of lean muscle mass.

Some people are big but not really overweight. Consider when a magazine does an article examining different body shapes. The women used for the models are of the same weight but due to body shape, height and bone structure, the comparisons are quiet drastic. I get much enjoyment from the models that are heavier than they look!

The distribution of your body weight can affect your health. Consider the basic body shapes labeled Apples and Pears. Apple shapes carry most of their weight above the waist while the pear shapes carries most of their weight below the waist. Apples are prone to more health risks because their weight is located in the stomach area which surrounds the internal organs. Pear shapes carry most of their weight below the waist. Pears are prone to cellulite and varicose veins. Over the years they have touted diets geared for these fruity shapes. It is really quite interesting. Check out this link for more information about apple and pear shapes. http://www.brainyweightloss.com/apple-body-shape.html