If fashion designers and media advertising had their way, everyone would look the same. Slim, even gaunt, they tell us he’s attractive. We will be loved and happy if we are slim. Of course, we all know this is not true, just ask any model and they will tell you that it can be hell to keep your figure emotionally and physically a size 6. A whole generation suffering from eating disorders is the result of this dangerous designer. . fixation. We all see the images in the media or on television and this conveys the message of what we are supposed to look like, the ads reinforce these images with false promises that “you too can have a body like this!” and we believe it over and over again. When desired goals are not achieved, we are led to believe that we have failed, which in turn leads to low self-esteem. So what do we do? EAT! In a vicious cycle that can eventually make us seriously ill. We need to put these images in perspective and realize that the majority of the population simply does not have the genetic predisposition to look like magazine models, furthermore, most images are now computer-adjusted to look better than they actually are. They are, so how can we ever win!

The fact is, we are not all meant to be slim. In some cultures around the world, a woman is considered beautiful if she is voluptuous and curvy. If we look at the Renaissance paintings of beautiful women, they were definitely not thin. Fashion magazine editors are beginning to understand that the average woman cannot relate to ravishing celebrities and slim models and are beginning to wear models with a fuller figure.

In May 2004, Glamor magazine broke a cardinal rule by putting Queen Latifah on the cover. It outsold the May 2003 cover, which featured slender actresses Halle Berry and Rebecca Romijn. Dove recently started an ad campaign featuring “real” women, ranging from size 6 to 14, showing them wearing only bras, panties and big smiles on billboards, bus stops and trains in Chicago, New York and other cities. . Jane Keltner, fashion news editor at Teen Vogue, said: “We try to wear all shapes and sizes, but we are especially interested in your sense of expression and personal style.”

Brittany Harper, a 20-year-old plus size who has competed and won several beauty pageants against medium-size girls in the United States, said she is pleased to see bigger women in magazines. “I think maybe seeing someone like me in a magazine makes you realize that you don’t have to be skinny to be pretty,” she said. “People see skinny girls in magazines and think that’s normal when it’s not.” Harper said she started entering pageants because she was shy and self-conscious, but is now happy with her body.

So what is your body type?

Modern science has categorized body types into three groups;

Ectomorphs: The slim person with a linear appearance, small muscles, ultra-fast metabolism, low body fat, narrow shoulders, hips and waist.

Mesomorphs: The naturally muscular person with broad shoulders, small waist, athletic build, low body fat percentage with a healthy metabolism.

Endomorphs: The naturally large person characterized by a round face, wide hips, large bones, slow metabolism, and high numbers of fat cells.

These three categories closely resemble the body types found in ancient Indian preventive medicine called Ayurveda. They also put the body types into three categories, but they linked them to the elements and called them Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and also associated them with psychological characteristics.

Vata the types are very similar to ectomorphs. They can be very tall or very short, with thin bony limbs. They walk fast, talk fast, and have trouble falling asleep. The skin is thin and dry, the eyes are small, as is the mouth with thin lips. They find it difficult to gain weight, which can cause health problems. They can be creative, enthusiastic, and generous people. They avoid confrontation. Fearful, worrying, and anxious, they are questioning, theorizing, and overanalyzing. Often dissatisfied and unable to maintain friendships, they spend money quickly, often on trivial things.

Whistle the types are similar to mesomorphs with a moderately well-developed physique with muscular limbs. Later in life, they tend to gain weight around the thighs and hips. His speech is loud, strong, precise and convincing. The skin is fair and tends to burn easily in the sun with freckles, many moles, and a tendency to breakouts. Their eyes are light blue, light gray or hazel, with an intense shine, which become red in summer or after bathing. They can be ambitious, confident, and focused, but they tend to become jealous and aggressive by nature. Argumentative, but with a sense of humor, their selective memory makes them quick learners. Moderately passionate in their sexual pursuits, they spend moderately, usually on luxuries.

Kapha the types are similar to endomorphs with a thick, well-developed frame and large limbs. They generally have more bones and contain more fat than muscle. Their legs are generally shorter than their bodies. Fat stores will accumulate around your stomachs and your breasts may be larger than “normal.” Voices are usually pleasant, deep, and resonant with slow, rhythmic, and low speech. The skin is usually cool to the touch and smooth. The face is large, as are the eyes with large, full lips. They make loving, patient, compassionate, and down-to-earth individuals. Very passionate, they love to spend money on others.

Most of us, from a mix of two body types and by identifying the body type (s) it is, will help you understand why even with diet and exercise you cannot change what you were born with, just the same that none can grow. higher once you are an adult. What should be emphasized is not how fit you are, but are you physically healthy and happy with who you are?

The practice of Ayurveda became a science to keep these types of bodies or different constitutions balanced. They incorporated different lifestyles for different body types; exercise, diet, environment, work, relationships. They also took into consideration that we are not just a body, but also a mind. Our minds and bodies are connected, if we “feel good” in our heads, invariably our bodies will also be in good health, and vice versa.

VATA LIFESTYLE

EXERCISE

Routine is very important to keep Vata people balanced and healthy. Regardless of the exercise you do, remember that your energy must remain steady, steady, and constant. Hiking is good exercise as long as you remember to take your time and be aware of your surroundings. Yoga poses, of course, are great, particularly Lotus, Lion, Tree, Triangle, Cobra, Forward bends, and Corpse (relax for at least 20 minutes)

DIET

Stay away from salads, raw and cold foods that have been in the refrigerator forever. Hearty soups and stews, fresh bread and butter. Stay cool, warm, moist, and nourishing.

MIND

Concentrated, still and with his feet on the ground. Try to be in the moment. Keep calm. Learn to meditate, listen to relaxing music at the end of the day. Think about what you want to say before you say it! Learn to calm the mind with deep breathing or pranayama, which can be learned in yoga classes.

ROUTINE

Get into a consistent routine, especially with eating and sleeping patterns. Get plenty of rest and relaxation.

Aim for stability and serenity in your daily routine.

KEYWORDS

Calm, slow, steady, firm, empowering, and consistent.

PITTA LIFESTYLE

EXERCISE

Be careful not to exert yourself to the point where too much heat is generated in the body. Focus on exercises like swimming, Thai Chi, calming and refreshing Yoga poses like Triangle, Tree, Fish, Cane, Crescent always end with relaxation.

DIET

Stay away from hot, spicy, and salty foods. Avoid stimulants. Go for moderation!

MIND

Try to stay calm in stressful situations. Don’t take on too many projects. Stay receptive, but distant. Conscious, but not critical.

ROUTINE

Early to sleep, early to get up. Plan ahead. Take a break for lunch. Don’t work too late.

KEYWORDS

Moderate, refreshing, relaxing, gentle, forgiving and tolerant.

KAPHA LIFESTYLE

EXERCISE

Kapha exercise should be stimulating and active, increasing metabolism and circulation. However, care must be taken not to over-exert yourself! Whatever you choose, do it every day. Brisk walk, Pilates, yoga. Great poses are Lion, Downward Facing Dog, Bridge, Shoulder Stand, Plow, Hand extended to feet.

DIET

Raw foods, such as salads, or semi-cooked, such as vegetables cooked in a wok. Spicy foods like garlic, ginger, kale, mustard, tomatoes, and bell peppers are great too. No ice cold drinks, please.

MIND

Try to unburden yourself of the past. Go ahead and feel positive about every aspect of yourself.

ROUTINE

Kapha should try to vary their routine. Try not to sleep too much. Go out there and show the world how dynamic you can be.

KEYWORDS

Stimulate, drive, warm up, energize, experiment and release

Learn to love yourself for what you are, not what you want to be. Recognize that you need to improve your health or weight, but believe that you will do everything you can to be your best. The constant pressure and stress of trying to become someone you cannot physically be will stop and take a huge weight off your shoulders, you will be amazed at how good it will make you feel and how this can help boost your motivation to make realistic improvements. When we understand and appreciate our bodies, we can work with them, not against them! Many of us have a tendency to look at our negatives, however once you begin to accept who you really are, it will be easier to focus more on the positives. Try to make a list of all the positive things you have done or what you like about yourself (both physical and mental). Practice running these positives in your mind regularly, and try a new lifestyle that suits your constitution and see what changes happen in a few weeks.