Train Right For You!

There is no magic formula for weight loss. To be fit and healthy, you have to work. It may be easier for someone else but the big picture is to focus on what works for you as an individual. This might take some time and many trial and errors to learn what macros/cardio/weight training routine work best for your body, but once you learn this, you will have the knowledge to create the best body you can imagine.
There are many different shapes and sizes of how our bodies develop. Where we tend to gain and loose weight? How easy we can build muscle? How fast our metabolism is? So much plays a role in what makes you, you. From hormones to glands to nature to nurture; but all can be fine tuned to focus on your specific needs.
The first issue people complain about is how their boyfriend/husband can eat whatever they like and not gain  a pound, but as a women you must be careful about everything you consume if you are attempting to lean out. Well folks, there is not too much that can be done about that. A little pesky thing called hormones plays the dominate role in this factor.

 Women have an abundance of estrogen. Estrogen tends to cause a reduction in muscle mass and increase in fat, specifically in the areas we as women all dread, the hips and thighs. A perfect balance of estrogen along with a healthy diet and exercise will give you those womanly curves you long for so do not be too quick to discount it. Men however, get an abundant amount of testosterone which helps to build muscle and maintain it. Females have about 1/10th the amount of testosterone as males do.

Some sources describe the varying shapes of the female body as apple (triangle downward), banana (straight), pear (triangle upward) and hourglass. Other sources define the body shapes as gyaneoid (curvaceous) - tend to hold weight in hips and thighs, android (broad shoulders, strong and shapely limbs) - most athletes, thyroid (long limbs and fine bones) - dancers and models, lymphatic (rounded) - slow metabolic rate with possible dysfunctional lymphatic system. Even still another source describes the body shapes as endomorph (hold fat easier), mesomorph (naturally fit, gain muscle easily) and ectomorph (have issues gaining muscle, thin).

It does not matter which body type you ultimately have. You might gain weight easily but you probably also gain muscle easily. You might be thin and have trouble gaining muscle, but you have a higher metabolism and can eat more. I learned a long time ago that there are some things in the universe I can not change. Genetics and the active role hormones play in your body are some of those. I can allow myself to get green with envy that I do not have a more petite frame and that I have trouble shedding fat. Or, I can speak positively about my truths and focus on my strengths so that in turn I can begin to work on my weaknesses. I have an hourglass frame. I gain weight easily and I gain it everywhere. My attitude could stop here and I could become bitter that I have to watch what I eat more than the next person and maybe spend more time on the treadmill. But I have learned that does not get you anywhere. I have the amazing ability to gain muscle easily. This means I have more freedom in shaping and designing my body the way I want it to look. I have to be more careful about my diet, but in the end I always feel better and know I am treating it to the good nutrition is ultimately needs. I may have a larger frame but I am as strong as an ox and love the power and strength my muscle bring me.

There is no harm in doing some research to learn best how your body reacts to nutrition and training. I just ask you to remain positive when speaking about your body. You are beautiful no matter what shape. Give yourself the credit of being an individual. Find the beauty of knowing what works for you is different than what might work for someone else. Allow yourself the possibility of failure as you trial and error different tactics to create the healthiest version of yourself. Do not fault yourself for something you can not control. It does not do any good to only admire pictures of models with 5 feet long legs on your inspiration board if you are built with short legs. Find inspiration that is honest and a true representation of your body type. I used to always look at pictures of fitness models and desire to look like them. I have since found solace in the models that I know have my body type and that I know I have the potential to train to look like. Stay positive. Your brain is listening when you speak negatively about it's storehouse.

- FitWhitt