Body Types and the Real You
Body Types and the Real You
By Annie Berryhill
Have you ever heard about body types? Did you know that there are actual scientific descriptions for the wide array of shapes that people come in? It could become an EXCUSE and an REASON all together.
I remember when I was in high school, I was about 5'4", the same as I am now, and my best friend was 6' on a hunched over day. She really did not embrace her height as she was taller than most of the boys. I know that she was self-conscious about that for sure!
The point is, I remember then how much she was working to be a thinner, smaller kind of girl. She was not fat by any stretch. She swam the long events on the swim team (she swam long, I swam shorties…ha ha it makes perfect sense!) and she was very aware of the food she put in her mouth. Yet she remained at the bigger number on the scale not matter how much she restricted her food or how many Jane Fonda workouts we did!
There truly are BODY TYPES
Here's the deal – she was built differently, just as all of us have a variation of body frame that is uniquely ours.
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There is a type that tends to be larger than the others. I am a not excusing people who carry dangerous amounts of excess weight, but there is a body type that, for a variety of reasons, will be on the heavy side. This would be the ENDOMORPH. Those tendencies becomes apparent with this body type when you have a look at the other people in the family, and you start to see the trend. Some would contend is it Nature or is it environment … but there is a portion of the population who has a natural bent for being on the heavier, holding on to additional weight side.
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Conversely, we have all seen the middle aged guy who is practically skin and bones – all ribs sticking out and stuff. He eats normally, is not really an exercise freak and yet, not matter what, he continues to be remarkably thin. Again, look at his genetics. I bet there are more than a couple other people in his gene pool with the same type of thin build. This is referred to as an ECTOMORPH.
Finally, there is the body type that in high school has a good muscular form, either male or female. Not too big, not really skinny either. They are usually the real active type, playing multiple sports, and engaging in physical activity outside of their sport. What I think is observable, is that most of the guys who are that super studly, enviable athletic-type in high school and college, are the most likely to pack on the pounds in middle age. Maybe it is the "Glory Days" syndrome that causes these people see themselves as they were in their teens and early 20's and not for the chubby, out-of-shape people they are now! People with some meat, some girth and the potential to be muscular, are commonly referred to as MESOMORPHS.
At the beginning, I referred to these definitions as a way for people to find an excuse for being out of shape, or downright unhealthy. "I am just built that way" being the most prevalent.
The key is to understand your natural bent or body type and go with it.
- Ectomorphs will be envied because they never can gain weigh … But don't mistake skinny for being healthy. They need to eat well and exercise just as much.
- Endomorphs usually work their butts off trying to be ECTOMORPHS … but they ultimately need to do the things that pertain to health, and learn acceptance of their natural body types, and work towards health, not being unrealistically thin.
- Mesomorphs are the active type, but at the same time need to be conscientious about food and exercise. Just because in their early years being fit came easy, doesn't mean that Father Time won't come slap them upside the head. These types need to stay moving, and stay with a good eating program to keep their bodies at their optimum composition. Really, these folks need to get back into sports and competition because that is what they are made for, and excel at. The rest will fall into place.
So, where do you fit on the body type continuum? Is it time to extend yourself some grace, or is it time to get your rear into gear and stop making excuses?
We all have the opportunity to maximize what God gave us to work with … it's up to YOU to decide to do it. In the end, it is not about being THE BEST at any one thing … but it is about being YOUR PERSONAL BEST at everything you do!
Guess what? You don't get to choose your body type, you just need to make it the leanest, strongest and healthiest body you possibly can!
Let me be your partner in the pursuit of your goals!
You are DESIGNED to live
LEAN – STRONG – HEALTHY!
Today is a good day to get started
Anne (Annie) Berryhill is a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer, USA Weightlifting Sports Perfomance Coach, Crossfit Athlete and competitor who owns and operates OC Fitness Revival in Orange County, CA. Services include personal and group training, nutrition classes and counseling, as well as providing incredible health-improving supplements to help people to make the most out of what they've got.
Contact her today for a Free class, Nutrition consultation or to try Chava Chocolate for Athletes!
(949) 280-3407 Anne@anneberryhill.com
This is an outrage!!!! They missed my body type! "Animal" 😀
Nice post Anne! Many people never realize their unique body type.
Thanks for sharing,
AJ
Work with what you've got and be the best you can be! That's what I got out of your article, Anne!
Anne, Great article! Thank you so much for sharing this useful information with us. I agree with AJ that many people never realize their unique body type!
HI Anne, I think I am the one who needs to get my rear into gear 🙂 YES, that's me! Thanks for the great post Anne!
Interesting, Annie, just thinking about how the three types would age. Ecto's never had to worry about weight, and probably still don't. Endo's always had to, so are real familiar with the battle they're facing as they age. But Meso's have a different challenge: everything was great when young. As time passes and hormones, etc., start playing tricks with their bodies, one of two things might happen. Either they are MORE frustrated by the changes because of what they lost, or it's EASIER for them to get motivated because they know they just have to figure out how to get back to where they were. What's your experience?
Hey Sharon…you shared some really good thoughts and insight! Love them!
In my personal and professional experience, women at the age where hormones become a wild-card factor do tend to get a bit frustrated because what they have always done, doesnt seem to work. But, it is when they get moving and make some steady changes that they tend to start moving into acceptance mode. That is, they realize that if they are working consistently, eating fairly well then that is what they can do, and what they have is what they have. That is often the magic tipping point that turns their frustration into peace and happiness about their bodies!
Great article Annie! Loved how you broke the different body types down! I REALLY need to get back to where I was in college and when I first got married! I worked out 6-days a week and looked great! Really-need to shed some pounds and get in shape again! Wish you lived nearby!
Good job. I look away for just a few months, and when I return, you've made a huge dent in building your own personal brand. 🙂
Hey Rog! Thanks! Glad you are back in contact! Hope all is well…your comment made me smile!
Mesomorph here. Gosh but I have to work hard to keep those pounds off though! Why do I feel like since I turned 40 my body's metabolism went on strike??? Thank goodness for a newfound discipline in working out and eating right! Thanks for that article I learned something new today!
Very interesting! Never heard about this before! Thanks for sharing!
Great article Anne. I remember reading about this somewhere and finding it fascinating. Thanks for the reminder! It really helps to know this so you can work with your body type instead of fighting it.
I think I am a mesomorph fighting off endomorph with a family of ectomorphs! LOL Loved this article. 😀
Never heard of body "types" like this before. Just thought people were fat, skinny or chubby. Loved the article Annie. I'm back to the gym again with less fruit these days.
As a mesomorph who used to be super active in a bunch of different outdoor activities, I can attest to the fact that it's easy to take that for granted – and then, yes, whammo, it comes up and smacks you upside the head (that would be me… now!). Thanks, Annie, for the head smack! 😉
These classifications are helpful to people who want to lose weight, but whose expectations of how they'll look once they've lost those pounds are unrealistic. You can't change your body type! The important thing is maintaining good health through exercise and good eating habits.
Great info, Annie. Thanks for sharing!