Lose weight by tailoring an eating plan to suit your shape!
Eliza
Lose weight by tailoring an eating plan to suit your shape
Whether your body is tall and slim like actress Gwyneth Paltrow's, or
pear-shaped like singer Jennifer Lopez's, you can trim down your
natural body type by following a simple formula.
Matt Roberts, who's been the personal trainer to Sandra Bullock,
Naomi Campbell and Natalie Imbruglia, believes that women must first
identify whether their body is a tube, apple, hourglass or pear before
planning their diet and fitness regime.
"When I meet a new client we look at their body strengths and
weaknesses, and work out an exercise plan," he explains.
"A woman who is a tube often wants curves ... and the hourglass often
doesn't make enough of her assets," explains Matt. "Pear-shaped
women often complain that when they exercise their upper legs they
actually get bigger."
Matt also puts his celebrity clients on a medium-to-low glycaemic index
(GI) food diet. These foods - which include most fruit and veg -
contain carbs that are released more slowly into the body.
Matt's book Fit For Your Shape is a program that aims to change body
shapes. By following the exercises and food advice set out in it, Matt
believes you'll lose weight and notice a difference within just three
weeks.
Here are his four female body types - and how to make the most of
them ...
The tube shape (Gwyneth Paltrow)
Similar-width bust, waist and hips.
Undefined waist, making the body look shorter or wider than it really
is.
Straight-up-and- down figure.
Relatively flat chest.
Improve your figure by ...
Strengthening arms and developing good muscle tone to make the whole
body look fitter and more curvaceous.
Creating muscle tone in your thighs and calves to make legs look
longer.
Developing strong shoulders to give the illusion of curves.
Building up a more shapely bottom.
What to eat
As your body burns energy quite quickly, include complex carbohydrates
(brown rice, wholegrain bread) in your diet, and eat small meals
regularly. If you eat lots of protein but not enough carbohydrates you
could end up underweight.
Go easy on alcohol.
The apple (Emma Bunton aka Baby Spice)
Full bust, waist and upper back. Upper arms often lack tone.
Large chest, which gives you a top-heavy look.
Extra weight around your waist and stomach.
Small and flat bottom, and lean, shapely legs.
Improve your figure by ...
Reducing fat around your waist and stomach to create a flat tummy.
Burning fat in your arms and chest to define your upper back. Toning
and strengthening your upper body.
Toning your thighs, calves and ankles to make your legs look even
better.
What to eat
Foods that are medium- to-low GI, combined with fish and white meat to
help reduce bloating.
Limit your intake of wheat-based or dairy products.
Try eating soy foods.
Have a good breakfast, such as rye bread or porridge.
The hourglass (Catherine Zeta- Jones)
Similar-width shoulders and hips.
Chest is full, but not necessarily large.
Well-defined waist - your best feature.
Hips are reasonably wide, with a fuller bottom.
Classic female curves.
Improve your figure by ...
Creating balance between all parts of your body by slightly reducing
some of your curves.
Developing shoulder muscles to "lift" your chest and provide a more
curvaceous look.
Strengthening your lower back to improve posture and create a shapely
bottom.
Toning your waistline for a sexy, feminine shape.
Improving the muscle tone of your thighs and backs of legs to lift your
pelvis.
What to eat
Medium-to-low GI foods to help reduce fat on the hips.
Limit dairy products.
Avoid refined sugar, processed foods and white bread, potatoes, pasta
and rice.
The pear (Jennifer Lopez)
Hips are wider than shoulders and bust.
Long, elegant arms that often lack definition.
Slim shoulders and upper back, with little body fat.
Well-defined waist that can carry extra fat.
A shapely and prominent bottom that can seem to merge into the thighs.
Improve your figure by ...
Developing well-defined shoulders to create a better balance between
your upper and lower body.
Creating a taller, slimmer silhouette by strengthening your upper back.
Toning up hips, bottom and thighs to reduce fat.
What to eat
Medium-to-low GI foods.
Consume more raw foods to help your body work more efficiently.
*Before embarking on a diet or weight-loss program you should always
first consult your doctor.