Body Toning: Key Facts You Should Know
Is there any way I can change my body shape?
View your own body as beautiful say many advisors. Rather than getting hung up on what is supposed to be the perfect body they recommend having a realistic view of yourself. Some say every body has a natural beauty.
Allow for various levels of fatness or thinness as losing weight is directly related to one’s body type. Any type can lose weight but it will always be proportionate to the individual’s bone structure and body proportions.
We have to accept the body we were born with, obviously. So adjusting mental attitude so we come to accept that and not try the futile exercise of trying to dramatically change it will help us come to live with it and appreciate it.
That is not to say we cannot effect certain changes to areas such as the hips, buttocks, or breasts. Changes can be made through slimming or body firming exercises. Also attention to the condition of the skin can have a big effect.
Changes such as these can have quite an impact on our mental and emotional health as they affect how we feel about ourselves.
How does aging affect body shape?
As muscles help burn calories, it stands to reason that as muscles shrink with age there will be less calories burned up.
So as we begin to lose muscle tissue our fat burning capacity diminishes and we begin to add weight to various parts of our frame.
This whole process can begin as early as 25 years of age.
A man’s mid-section can start to show signs of accumulating fat.
The thighs, buttocks, and abdominals seem to accumulate fat in women.
What is the difference between body toning and dieting?
A diet might mean refraining from eating certain foods for a specified period of time in order to lose weight. Or it could me adjusting one’s diet and then using supplements.
In a general sense, body toning means firming up the parts of the body that need it through exercise and muscle building. It doesn’t necessarily include weight loss.
How important is exercise when considering body toning?
Very important!
You can’t beat walking for an all round activity which benefits so many parts of the body. It’s good for controlling a person’s weight, toning the leg muscles, keeping good posture, strengthening the bones, and improving one’s self-image.
Exercise and muscle toning programs are also excellent for specific parts of the body. With these exercise you can: lift and firm sagging buttocks, tone flabby thighs, remove the bulge around the waist, tighten a protruding stomach, and add support to back muscles.
How can I choose pants to flatter my body shape?
Depending on your body shape keep the following points in mind when choosing pants:
Baggy pants rather than tapered pants are better for wide hips.
Make shorter legs look longer by choosing slim pants preferably without turn-ups or cuffs.
Wide leg pants without back pockets are better for the body with a full bottom.
Avoid tapered pants with large thighs. Wide or straight leg pants are best.
To avoid emphasizing a full bottom, take attention away from this body area by choosing light or bright colored tops with dark pants. Dark colors can have a slimming effect.