WeightLossDietSecrets

Different factors determine where and how our bodies store fat. One of these are the body type that you are blessed with. The idea of somatotypes was first introduced by Dr William H. Sheldon, in the 1940’s, putting body types into three categories, namely Ectomorph, Mesomorph and Endomorph.

They are not defined scientifically, but gives one an idea of what you have to work with, and really helps in defining your goals at the start of a weight loss program. This way you won’t be working with inappropriate goals, and you will have a better idea of what you can achieve.

It is not possible for you to change your genetics. But - you can change your body fat percentage, how much muscle you have and how much fat you have. You are the sole reason your body isn’t what you want it to be. Whether you are an ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph, it is you who decides, through dedication, proper diet and exercise, what your body will become.

No two people are exactly alike - “Whatever you have, you must make the most of it. Rest assured that you can transform yourself, no matter where you started from. The most important body part is the mind. With the will and know-how, you can perform near miracles”.

Stuart McRobert, author of Brawn, 3rd Edition

“The classic example of metabolic individuality is when two people follow identical training and nutrition programs and one makes amazing progress while the other gets no results at all. This proves that no single program could possibly work for everyone. One of the biggest secrets of permanent fat loss is to develop the ability to recognize and understand the uniqueness of your physiology and adjust your nutrition and training accordingly instead of blindly following someone else”.

Tom Venuto, in Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle

How To Define Your Body Type

Assess your bone structure by wrapping your hand around your wrist and seeing where your thumb and middle finger reach. If they don’t touch, you probably have a large frame; if they just touch you are a medium frame; and if they overlap you are a small frame.

An ectomorph will have a small to frail bone structure and figure, be skinny or slight of body and have trouble gaining weight but losing it easily.

A mesomorph will have a medium bone structure and figure, be lean and muscular and usually stay about the same weight.

An endomorph will have a large bone structure and figure, carry too much fat and gain weight easily and find it hard to lose.

Rating Body Types - “Although there are three basic categories, pure body types are very rare. Few people are 100% of one body type and 0% of another. Usually there is a mix of two or even all three types. However, most people will tend to gravitate towards one type predominantly”.

Tom Venuto, in Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle

Ectomorph

This body type tends to be thinner and more fragile with a delicate or lightly muscled frame. Ectomorphs are naturally lean and usually never have trouble with excess body fat during their entire lives. It’s not because of a great diet or workout, it’s because they are born with a super fast metabolism.

Advantages Of Being Ectomorph

Ectomorph body types have the “ability” to eat pretty much whatever they want, whenever they want, and never get fat and never gain weight. Ectomorphs are the people who lose fat without even trying.

Drawbacks Of Being Ectomorph

The same quick metabolism and genetics that keeps the ectomorph naturally skinny and lean are the same quick metabolism and genetics that makes it extremely hard for an ectomorph to gain weight, and more importantly, gain muscle.

Mesomorph

Mesomorphs are naturally more athletic-looking with a harder, more muscular appearance. They are the genetically gifted people we all envy because they gain muscle and lose fat so easily. These are the body types who don’t seem to train or diet hard at all, yet their bodies respond incredibly.

Advantages Of Being Mesomorph

Where the ectomorph and the endomorph both have a positive and negative side, the mesomorph has pretty much the best of both worlds. They gain muscle almost as well as an endomorph, yet can lose fat almost as well as an ectomorph.

Drawbacks Of Being Mesomorph

Good genetics makes a person lazy. Because they get results so easily, they often don’t make an effort to exercise hard or eat healthy. As a result, many of them never realize their full potential.

Endomorph

Most people who are working hard but still struggling to lose body fat are endomorphs. This body type tends to be soft and flabby. Endomorphs have a slow metabolism and are genetically prone to store fat easily.
The endomorph is naturally “big boned” and has what some people might describe as a body that is roundly shaped.

Advantages Of Being Endomorph

Endomorphs can gain muscle and strength as easy as they can put on weight. If this is your body type, then you need to work on building muscle, which will be the key to successful fat loss.

Drawbacks Of Being Endomorph

The endomorph has the slowest metabolism of the three different body types and can therefore gain weight the quickest and easiest. Endomorphs cannot “cheat” frequently and get away with it. Their metabolisms are extremely unforgiving. Poor daily nutrition habits or frequent cheat days always set them back.

Tell me more… For an in depth discussion and detailed nutrition and exercise strategies, aimed at each different body type, I suggest that you read Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle by Tom Venuto. Fat Loss & Diet information doesn’t come more complete than what this success manual offers.