The ruler and hourglass body shape

The ruler body

This is another body shape that is common in men. Women with ruler bodies are often reffered as having boyish figures with few curves, and seem tobe naturally thin without even trying – just like celebrities Keira Khightly and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Their figures are squarish because the width of their bust, waist and hips vary slightly.
Rulers seem to be eating all the time without getting any fatter.

Although it might sound like a good problem to have, ruler-shaped bodies often wish they could put on some weight and have a fuller figure rather than looking thin.
Such a figure does have its benefits, such as missing out the myriad health problems associated with too much body fat, but it is believed that such a body has a higher risk of developing osteoporosis.

The hourglass figure

This body shape applies only to females. Hollywood legends such as Marilyn Monroe were regarded as having the perfect hourglass figure, but now it’s back in fashion – with Scarlett Johansson and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Women with an hourglass figure have soulders and hips of a similar width and a smaller waist, giving them classic female curves without looking too skinny.
The trouble is that hourglass shaped women often find they put on weight quite easily, while finding is difficult to build muscle.

That means maintaining those curves will require a healthy, low fat diet and regular cardiovascular exercise.

Now that you know what body shape you are and realize that it is genetically determined, let this be the basic for making sure that you are
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The pear-shaped body

Men or women woth pear shaped figures are usually bottom heavy. They appear to have a narrow upper body compared to their wider lower body.
And if you need some celebrity idol with a pear-shaped figure, look no further than Jennifer Lopez.
Research has shown that people with this body shape show less risk of developing heart conditions. This could be because hip-fat contains a natural anti-inflammatory element called adiponectin, which prevents arteries from swelling up and becoming blocked.
Storing fat around the hips also has far fewer health risks than storing fat around the waist, although as with all body shapes, it’s important to work hard and eat balanced meal to maintain a healthy weight.

The apple-shaped body

Many men are considered to be apple-shaped – their bodies have a silhouette that resembles an upside down triangle. This is definitely a common body-type for men, but not for women.

Women with an apple-shaped figure will have afuller bust and waist, but smaller bum, and will tend to accumulate weight around their stomach rather than around their hips.
Keep that waistline in check to reduce risk of heart disease or diabetes. A healthy diet and active lifestyle are essential, as is an active lifestyle. Toning and strengthening the upper body will benefit “apples” greatly.

Next: The ruler and hourglass body shapes.