The Importance of Body Type and Body Structure in Weight Loss
Know your body type or body structure.
How many of us know of someone who has started on a weight loss program, succeeded for a number of days then dropped out?
Ever wondered why?
Is it because they were not committed enough?
I don't think so. They've already shown commitment by getting started in the first place, so that's not the issue.
Often it's for the simple reason that the exercise they've started off with, or the program they've joined, was just not right for them.
In order to succeed at exercise and weight loss, while enjoying the activity, it is crucial that the exercise or program you choose be suitable for your body type or physique.
Body Types
There are 3 structural body types, namely:
Ectomorph
Characteristics of an ectomorph:
slender built
most tend to be on the tall side
some are extremely thin
never seem to gain weight no matter how hard they try, and
have difficulty in building their muscles.
Mesomorph
Characteristics of a mesomorph:
having a muscular or sturdy body build
strong and physically powerful
easy to build their muscles
excel in sports that require strength, and
without regular exercise their bodies can become flabby.
Endomorph
Characteristics of an endomorph:
having a heavy body build
sturdy or stocky physique
some well covered with flesh, not fat
can easily become overweight if not exercising, and
some can be physically very strong.
Body Structure
Some people have a larger build than others because of their bone structure.
They will also have a higher ideal body weight than someone of the same height but who has a slender build.
Body structure can also be divided into three categories - small, medium and large build.
Your Body Type, Exercise and Weight Loss
Your body type, shape or frame will have a marked influence on the kind of exercise you are most likely to enjoy or find difficult.
Well built muscular individuals are naturals for body-building sports, short distance running and dynamic sports. They seldom excel at long-distance, endurance activities.
Swimmers are usually muscular and develop powerful shoulders and arms.
Endurance athletes are usually lean with long legs.
An understanding of the different body types will help you determine which sport or exercise you would be good at and enjoy, or, which you would be less successful at, and be discouraged as a result. In other words, it will help you to know your potential and limitations.
By knowing your body type or type combinations, you can then pick the right exercise for you.
If you have a small-boned, naturally lean body you tend to be fast, but with little endurance. You will enjoy and excel in sport or exercise that require short bursts of speed and agility such as the racquet sports (squash, badminton, racquetball, etc.), sprinting, aerobics, and dance. But these sports tend to have a high impact on your joints.
Therefore, it is recommended that you balance these activities with / or start with low-impact, medium intensity activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, hiking or yoga.
If you have a medium-sized muscular physique, you most likely would enjoy, or excel at competitive sports that require strength, speed and stamina, such as track, skiing, body-building, swimming, and tennis. But when starting a new exercise program, you should balance these activities with low-impact activities which are gentle on your joints, such as bicycling and swimming.
Having a stocky or sturdy physique with lots of flesh/muscle, you most likely enjoy and excel in endurance sports.With this type of physique you may also have a natural tendency towards lethargy. You are suited to relaxing activities such as golf, cycling, walking and horseback riding. You should sometimes balance these with more vigorous exercises such as the racquet sports, rowing, jogging and swimming.
When starting an exercise program do not expect everything to run smoothly. You will experience false starts & setbacks. You may even choose the wrong exercise or sport. Unfortunately, this can happen. The first few weeks you will be finding out which exercises you like and which you don't. Expect this may occur and treat it as an adjustment period.
Finding the right exercise program may take time. Assess various programs until you find one that fits your body type and that you like.
However, when starting out be careful of the "gung-ho approach", in which you try to play catch-up, by choosing to start with high-impact exercises such as running.
It is best to start off with an activity you don't mind doing, like walking, which can be both relaxing and energizing. Then with time you can gradually increase the activity and start trying different exercises.
