The fog was rolling this morning, the air is getting cooler.  Football season is here and the Chicago Bears started off HOT first game of the year. 

The best time of year?

Some will argue that it is. I despise the frigid temps, but will suck it up for some good soup and football.

The cooler weather also signals our bodies that it is time to eat and gain needed body fat for the cold winter.  Fat, although it feels terrible on our abs and hips, does serve that purpose to protect and keep us warm.

Summertime is peak season and time to enjoy the body you worked the previous winter for.  Once fall gets here, “hunger cues” will commence, and you’ll be overwhelmed with propensities to eat more calories.

This is natural for warm-blooded animals. What is also natural is how your body will store that fat.  Ectomorphs, endomorphs and mesomorphs will store fat in different ways and in different areas of the body.  Your genetics from your parents will determine how and where you store the EXTRA fat.

• Ectomorphs:  Fat stores typically are evenly distributed throughout the body frame although the physique may appear soft and “skinny fat”.   Ecto’s are longer, taller people and won’t store much excess body fat or pack on extra muscle.  Trouble areas can vary but due to the naturally lean body the real trick is to keep your body fat percent under 28% for females and 15% for male body frames
• Mesopmorphs:  Trouble areas can be around the hips and the love handles but are usually compensated for by more muscle build and a “V” shaped upper body with a tapered waist.  A natural muscular frame keeps the metabolism up and excess fat storage is usually not prominent.
• Endomorphs: These are the hardest types of bodies to deal with, they can and will store body fat at the drop of the hat. This type can walk by a buffet and gain 4 lbs.   Trouble areas tend to be around the abs, hips, and thighs.  Fat stores can be in excess and can typically give the person a “round” or “pudgy” frame.  They can have broad shoulders and hips and with the extra muscle mass and fat storage around the bones the weight or mass can pack on heavily to this powerhouse frame.

We all have some sort of combination of the three body types listed above.  You may tend to be more dominantly tall or muscular but make no mistake about it, how you eat and what exercises you do or don’t do can determine how much extra fat you store on your frame regardless of what type of body you have.

Please leave some comments or questions. You can read my personal blog for more tips and info at dnfitness.wordpress.com. I would love to know some ideas or recipes for original home-made soups for this winter!

About the author:  David has made physical fitness and healthy living a lifelong quest.  He is the owner of a local fitness studio in Bowling Green.  He holds a M.S. in Excercise Science from WKU and is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine. He shares tips on fitness and nutrition on his personal blog at www.dnfitness.worpress.com