Working the pear-shaped body

Research shows that the pear body shape is the most common female figure in the Middle East and Africa, mostly as a result of estrogen levels of women in the region. The hormone distributes fat cells in the chest, buttocks and thighs, so women who produce more estrogen tend to be heavier and gain more weight in those specific areas. This sometimes leads to a disproportional body, cellulite and stubborn fat deposits that are difficult to burn. In her book, “The Body Shape Diet”, specialist Dr. Sandra Cabot discusses special dietary tips to help women maintain an attractive pear shape.

Characteristics of the pear shape:
Some of the most iconic beauties in the world possessed a pear-shaped body, including Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. In modern times, however, reports indicate that the shape of their lower body frustrates most women with this figure, especially as they age and the skin starts to sag.

The following attributes are usually associated with pear-shaped bodies:
• Shoulders ranging in size between tiny and moderate
• A widening of the hips and thighs
• A slim waist that is smaller than the hips
• Curved around hips
• Curved outer thighs that meet in the center

Wrong eating habits:
In her book, Cabot points out some of the most common mistakes pear-shaped women make with regards to their eating habits. These include:
1. Skipping breakfast, or not eating enough because of the misconception that a heavy meal in the morning makes it difficult to stop eating all day.
2. Eating a light lunch followed by a carb-filled dinner, drinking sugary juice and having dessert. Even a tea or coffee break with biscuits as an afternoon snack can make a woman bloat.
3. Not having enough fiber at breakfast, which can lead to constipation and hunger pangs at night, reducing the metabolism and causing weight gain.

How to lose weight in a healthy way:
Some pear-shaped women tend to eat huge meals at night, which ignites the metabolism, thereby causing the body to crave fatty foods. To prevent this habit, Cabot, has devised a food plan that calls for earlier meals and not leaving a big time gap between lunch and dinner.
Proper eating regime
Breakfast:
Each of the following meals contains around 250 calories. Before eating, drink a large glass of water with a few lemon drops when you wake up to activate blood circulation and stimulate the metabolism.

Choose one of the following options:
• Half a cup of brown rice; 100 ml of calcium rich low-fat or soy milk; one teaspoon of wheat germ (optional); six medium-sized strawberries.
• ¾ cup of cooked oatmeal; 100 ml of calcium rich low-fat, skim or soy milk; a small banana.
• Boiled egg; a slice of whole-wheat dry toast with fresh parsley and slices of fresh tomatoes; 200ml of fresh orange juice.
• 2 slices of whole wheat toast with a tablespoon of humus and tahini. Tomato slices and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley; 200ml of fresh orange juice.
• ½ cup of fresh, well-done mushrooms with a crushed garlic; slice of whole wheat bread covered with a thin layer of ricotta cheese; a plate of fresh fruit salad or a cup of fresh juice.
• Breakfast cereals with a glass of skim milk; a glass of fresh strawberry juice.

Lunch: Each of the following meals is less than 300 calories.
Choose one of the following options:
• Two rice cakes; 100 grams of salmon with tomato slices; a green salad; 3 slices of watermelon.
• A bowl of zucchini soup prepared from slices of zucchini, two celery stalks, sliced carrots, potatoes and onions. Prepare in a large pot with two cups of water and a cup of chicken stock and then remove from heat and leave to cool. Mix well in a blender with soy milk and add parsley, basil and black pepper. Consume it with some wholewheat bread and a large plate of green salad.
• An omelette prepared from 2 eggs, a tablespoon of low-fat milk, sliced mushrooms, fresh garlic, a tablespoon of chopped parsley, and a pinch of red hot pepper (optional); a few grapes.
• Half a grilled chicken breast; salad with vinegar dressing; half a cup of brown rice; 2 slices of fresh pineapple.
• A cup of pasta cooked with fresh mushrooms and cherry tomatoes (vinegar dressing for more flavor optional); a large dish of green salad; a kiwi fruit.
• 100 grams of sardines; a green salad; a large plate of fresh fruit salad.

Dinner:
Each of the following meals contains about 450 calories.
Choose one of the following options:
• 100 grams of fat-free grilled meat; sautéed vegetables containing half a cup of carrots, half a cup of cauliflower, two broccoli florets and half a cup of boiled green beans; a plate of fresh fruit salad.
• Half a BBQ chicken breast with lemon juice and chopped ginger; a baked potato; a medium sized-beet; a large plate of green salad; a dish of fresh papaya.
• 200 gm of over-baked fish; grilled potato salad; two fresh broccoli florets and a mandarin.
• A large bowl of Italian vegetable soup made of onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic, tomatoes, parsley, celery, beef broth and water. Put all the ingredients in a small pot and leave to simmer for 30 minutes. Eat it with some wholewheat bread, a baked potato, or fruit and a green salad.
• Fat free kebab; spinach; brown rice; a tablespoon of humus and tahini; fresh raspberries or strawberries.
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