Diet & Fitness 

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What's your body shape?

First, let’s explain what these fruity terms mean. ‘Pear’ and ‘apple’ are descriptions used to refer to the shape of a person's body with regard to where he or she stores fat. Pears tend to store fat below their waists, usually on their hips and thighs. Apples usually have more fat above their waists, around the midriff.

Unfortunately, there aren't specific exercises for different body types. In other words, you can’t exactly escape your shape! But, the good news is that the same exercises work on the same muscles for everyone. If anyone wants stronger biceps, he or she can use dumbbell curls to get them.

However, determining your body shape can be helpful in predicting your risk of diseases related to obesity, like coronary heart disease and diabetes. A more precise method of calculating your degree of risk is by measuring your waist-to-hip ratio. Our diets A-to-Z will do this for you. You can probably get a complete fitness evaluation at a health club near you.

Body shape is just one of the factors to be considered when assessing your risk for disease. Other issues to consider include family history, tobacco use, cholesterol levels and lifestyle. A person who exercises regularly, doesn't smoke, has a moderate cholesterol level and no family history of heart disease may be heavier than his or her ideal weight and still have less risk than a skinny, pack-a-day smoker with high cholesterol.

So, I'm sorry to tell you that there is no miracle exercise that will slim your apple-like self. But now you can pick any exercise you like to get in shape. Good luck!

Why not chat to other iVillagers about exercise on the Love Your Body message board. Take a look at some of the LIVE discussions happening now on the board:

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