Can’t Do Much About Biology

Can’t Do Much About Biology

Before you think about what you want your fitness program to do for you, keep in mind what it can’t do. Genetics play the leading role in creating the basic shape of your body,and you have to start out being realistic so you can do the best you can with what you have. People are programmed from birth to be tall and long-limbed, petite and short-limbed
small-framed or big-boned, or whatever. By adulthood, you’ve hopefully accepted the immutable things about your body type, even if you don’t like them.
Genetics also determine where you are likely to gain weight, and you might not be quite as cheerful about accepting that. No matter what you do, you might find that any extra pounds you carry appear around your middle, on your hips and thighs, or below your belt line.
Physiologists have divided people into three basic body types, though most people’s bodies are a combination of two:
? Ectomorphs are lean, long-limbed, and often tall. These reed-like people have long torsos, slim hips and shoulders, and small bones in proportion to their height. They often excel as runners. Guys nicknamed “Stretch” or “Slim” are ectomorphs.
? Endomorphs are short of limb and torso with more rounded bodies. They tend to store body fat easily and might also be big-boned. When they gain weight, it usually is in the lower body. Endomorph women can be curvaceous like Madonna or Pia Zadora. In reality, many endomorphs spend their lives fighting fat.
? Mesomorphs have square, sturdy bodies and often are fairly big-boned. They are athletically built and can bulk up their muscles more easily than other body types.When they gain weight, it generally is in the abdomen.
People tend to pack extra weight in specific patterns. The names of these patterns are less Latin-rooted than the three morphs just mentioned. Overweight mesomorphs become “apple people” who carry their extra weight around the midsection. Their problems are big bellies and “love handles” on the sides of their torsos. Endomorphs who put on weight become “pear people” and carry their extra weight below the belt on the hips, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Fortunately, ectomorphs don’t readily gain weight, but they generally can’t gain big muscles either. You won’t find many ectomorphs bodybuilders