Dr. William H. Sheldon was the first to introduce the concept of somatypes, or body types. He established that there were three: ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Understanding your body type can help you determine the right weight loss plan that will give you the best results because each body type responds differently to diet and exercise.
Ectomorph Weight Loss
Ectomorphs have a slender build, a fast metabolism and find it difficult to gain weight. Males find it difficult to build muscle, and females have a hard time obtaining a feminine shape. For this body type, weight loss is not a problem, and simply partaking in cardio workouts will easily make you lose weight. If you want to gain weight, the Muscle & Strength website suggests limiting aerobic workouts due to this body type's extremely fast metabolism and focusing more on short weightlifting and muscle-sculpting routines. If you are determined to gain, supplementation may be the answer. Also, eat later in the evening so your body has less of an opportunity to burn off the calories before bed.
Mesomorph Weight Loss
The body type mesomorph is the athletic type. Proportionate in size, muscular and physically fit, mesomorphs can build muscle easily. However, this body type can also look thick due to their big bones and heavy muscle content. To trim off extra fat, keep their weight down and maintain muscle tone, mesomorphs need to do cardio exercise and resistance training, writes the Epigee website. Jogging, biking and swimming are good options to lose weight, and use light weights to create lean, toned muscles. Eat a diet high in fiber, whole grains and lean meats.
Endomorph Weight Loss
According to BodyBuilding.com, an endomorph body type should be most concerned with their body's fat percentage and keeping it at a reasonable number. Endomorphs tend to be overweight, soft-bodied and quick to gain weight. They have underdeveloped muscles and must partake in frequent aerobic exercise to stimulate their slow metabolism. Eliminate processed food, junk food and fast food. Endomorphs must control their calorie intake and increase their aerobic workout time as their endurance builds to combat their naturally lazy metabolism.
General Tips
Any body type that wants to lose weight and be healthy can follow some simple guidelines. The more colorful the diet, the better. Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, such as berries, colorful peppers and leafy greens. These foods are full of antioxidants that cleanse the system and improve the circulation of nutrients within the body. Increase your fiber intake. A sluggish digestive system can make it difficult to lose weight, and a fibrous diet fine-tunes the digestive tract to eliminate fat buildup in the body. Water is also important to give your body a full feeling and prevent overeating.
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