Body Type

I've always been a bit on the bigger side... bone structure is what my mom always said. That or "Weber thighs", from my maternal side of the family. I've never considered myself 'overweight', although I was a bit on the heavier side in high school and college. Well, heavier than I would have liked to be.

Seemed that no matter how much muscle I built up, the fat would remain there on top. Insulation if you will. Except for a few years in high school where I sported a nice set of abs.

Note: These are not mine... :P

 After college, I slimmed down quite a bit. I think I was able to focus my workouts on toning and not on the intensity and strength needed for college sports. I also ate a lot better! It's crazy what 'college food' can do to you. Lol!

I was reading the other day about body type and the importance of characteristics and workout/nutrition plan focused for your specific body type. I've been able to lose almost all of my baby weight, and at 6 months post-birth, I think that's pretty good! However, I'd still like to be smaller. I'd like to get my abs flat again, smaller thighs, stronger arms... all before we get preggo again and my belly starts growing. :) I know it'd be healthier for me, for the baby and would make labor easier with the more I am in shape.

So anywho, according to what I've found this is the category that I fit into - -

Body Type: Mesomorph

Characteristics: "genetically gifted", athletic, compact, excellent posture (well, maybe I need to work on this one), tend to be muscular without trying, naturally strong, responds quickly to exercise....

However, as with all descriptions, there are discrepancies. Such as:
"losing fat is almost effortless" - so NOT true for me!
"defined hourglass figure" - eh
"wider at the shoulders than the hips" - nope, and especially not since giving birth! Lol.
"naturally lean" - again, no. Although my love of food may have something to do with this. :P

This body type gives me a genetic head start when it comes to staying fit. I do love that and 100% agree with this. Being athletic and somewhat in good shape has always come easy for me. Well, by easy I mean that if I work at it I get results rather quickly. The other side of it means that if I don't work at it, I lose it very quickly (ie: lose muscle or gain the weight)...which is where I am right now. I haven't been working out much this past year since getting pregnant, so I have a bit of catching up to do!

The workout and nutrition plan (according to what I've found) is this:
- focus on a strong cardio workout with resistance training
- limit weights, light to moderate, no more than 3x/week
- need variety to keep muscle stimulation and challenge
- keep workouts short (under 1 hr) as to not over-train
- get proper rest and nutrition

I told myself that I'd relax and enjoy just being a mom for the first 6 months of our baby's life. Then after that I had to start working out regularly, being better focused on what we're eating and start taking body shape seriously. No more sitting on the couch and vegging... which isn't bad only if like everything else in life, you do it in moderation! :)

Since my 6 month mark is coming up here very shortly (I can't believe how fast time has gone!!), I guess my lazy days are over for the time being... So, here's to workouts, eating healthy and getting a better bod!