Every woman dreams of having the perfect body. However, most women may face some challenges when it comes to maintaining a good figure. At D’Elegance, we believe that understanding and embracing these challenges is the first step to achieving a stunning silhouette.
Ageing and life stages
Our bodies are made up of several components, primarily bones, muscles, fat, and water. Changes in our body composition – that is, the relative proportion of weight made up by each of these components, typically happen with age – even when there’s no overall change in body weight. Generally, as we age, fat increases while muscle mass or lean tissue, and mineral bone density decrease – causing changes to our body shape.
Accompanied by considerable hormonal changes, the life stages of women – generally divided into infancy, adolescence, reproductive age, climacteric period, and elderly years, in addition to pregnancy and delivery that are generally included as the life events unique to women – also bring about a host of changes to a woman’s body.
Lifestyle Factors
The rate at which a woman’s body shape changes is closely connected to lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet and smoking. For instance, a lack of regular exercise and/or proper diet could contribute to excessive weight gain. In addition to increased health risks, smoking can also result in more fat being stored around the waist and upper torso rather than the hips.
On the other hand, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a proper diet and abstaining from smoking will help you to achieve and maintain a better figure.
Posture
A woman’s body shape is greatly affected by her posture. If our body segments are out of their optimal alignment for extended periods of time, our muscles eventually adapt by either shortening or lengthening. Having a poor posture can result in a protruding tummy, hunchback, and so on – all of which add unnecessary stress to the body.
Maintaining a good posture not only results in a better body shape, but can also affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain to bring about better self-image and greater self-confidence.
Gravity
Regardless of the life stage that we are in, the pull of gravity will cause our skin to lose its elasticity and our body fats will start to sag over time. This causes our body shape to shift, especially in areas such as breasts, tummy and bottom.
Poorly fitted undergarments
Wearing poorly fitted undergarments over long periods of time can result in unwanted bulges, love handles, sagging, and poor blood circulation which may cause discomfort and aching. On the other hand, a well-designed and properly fitted undergarment will give your body the support and comfort it needs, gently sculpting and smoothening your curves to help you achieve a sensational silhouette
i Shimokata H et al. Studies in the distribution of body fat. III. Effects of cigarette smoking. JAMA. 1989 Feb 24;261(8):1169-73.
ii Akbartabartoori M et al. Relationships between cigarette smoking, body size and body shape. Int J Obes (Lond). 2005 Feb;29(2):236-43.
iii Hrysomallis, C., & Goodman, C. 2001. A review of resistance exercise and posture realignment. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 15 (3), 385–90.
iv Watson, A.W.S., & MacDonncha, C. 2000. A reliable technique for the assessment of posture: Assessment criteria for aspects of posture. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 40 (3), 260–70.