I haven't really gained any weight over the last few years, but my shape has certainly changed! I am tall and of average weight. I work out every day, for at least an hour, alternating between a treadmill, weight lifting, and an exercise bike. My breasts have flattened and shrunk (not much to begin with) and my hips, rear end and thighs are getting bigger. The pants that have always fit, now feel and look tight.

I'm sure I am not alone with this. I know middle aged women tend to store fat in the lower regions! But it just makes me so mad!! Do I have to lose weight, even though I have not gained any, in order to fit in my pants comfortably again? Perhaps do some different workouts? I know my diet is not 100% great, but I do try to eat well for the most part. I am very frustrated about this!

Can anyone relate? Or help with a solution? Thanks for listening! Gardenbear

Yes, I can relate. I used to have such a slender shape. It's now more pear shaped. It's called gravity.

WriterMom

I am having the opposite when it comes to shape-shifting. I used to have a full, round rear but just in the past year it is flattening and dropping so that I actually look thinner. It is so bizarre to watch these things happen.

No amount of exercise will ever overcome a bad diet! Especially when it comes to body composition.

You need to eat clean and balance your macronutrients. Women who become pear-shaped usually have too much fat in their diet, and not enough protein.

First of all, you need to actually take measurements to see if you are truly apple shaped or pear shaped.

Measure your waist at the navel.
Measure your hips at the widest part.
Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement.
A ratio of 0.8 or above indicates that you are an apple shape. A ratio of under 0.8 means you are a pear shape.

There are different health risks for apples and pears.

Well if you have to be an apple or a pear they say that a pear shape is better because with an apple shape there is apparently more of a chance for heart problems.

Gramz

This is true. We all tend towards one or the other. The trick is to eat right and exercise to avoid both!

I can certainly relate. Its a weird thing to watch your body change shape and your skin too. I've noticed very odd things happening, not just jowls, lines and wrinkles, but patches of roughness, discolouration and all sorts od dodgy ageing aspects you never thought would hapen. I have found that yoga has helped with the lower half of my body shape- I've dropped a dress size from the waist down, but from the waist up stayed the same. Oh well, can't have it all!
Go buy some nice new pants that fit well and chuck the old ones out. Cleaning out your wardrobe definitely helps get a fresh perspective.

Lynne from OZ