This article will help you identify your body shape and how you can sculpt it with different exercises.

Pear Shape

This shape is noticeable by slightly wider hips then shoulders, a slim upper body but fuller in the hip and thigh area. You will need to work on your upper body in order to balance your lower areas.

Exercise for Pear Shape

You can try push ups, chin ups, and shoulder presses. Avoid doing spinning and training activites because these have a big impact on your legs and bottom.Pear Shapes need to balance the upper and lower halves and accentuate their waist.

Apple Shape

You will find that you will hold most of your body weight in the upper body, tummy area and bust and you will have slim thighs and upper legs.

Exercise for Apple Shape

Use the gym to do a range of exercises that include cycling, leg squats, leg presses and dead lifts.Try sports such as tennis as this will tone your waist.

Hour Glass Shape

People say that this is the ideal body shape because it has a balance between the upper and lower body. The bust and hips are about the same size, but the waist is about 10 inches smaller.

Exercise for the Hour Glass Shape

Exercise with cardio, running, swimming, stationary biking (light resistance) and bicep curls, shoulder presses and squats.

Rectangle Shape

The upper and lower body are the same proportion to each other with a smaller bust, there are not many curves. You will find that you will put weight on in the stomach and backside area, while maintaining slender arms and legs.

Exercise for Rectangle Shape

Try endurance exercies, cardio and do step classes, bench presses and shoulder presses.

Looking and feeling great is the most important thing for most women. Commercial products can do much to treat beauty emergencies, but the only effective, long—term solution is optimum health in body and mind.

Beautiful Skin

Women want to look good and by having a great complexion it is a huge beauty asset which will boost your morale. The skin is always on display to the world and is worth taking care of. Skin has a little acid mantle, which keeps out harmful bacteria, and it is not a good idea to use excessively alkaline cleansers, such as soap, to wash the skin, as these destroy the necessary acid balance. The condition of the skin is a good indicator of general health within the body.

Lifestyle

The condition of our skin is affected by our lifestyle and general well-being, including our diet, how much exercise we take, our work, our family and our mental attitude. In some way we are what we eat. The circulatory system carries the nutrients from our food around the body. Without some sort of a healthy diet the body’s cells receive insufficient nutrition.

Regular exercise is also another very important factor in your lifestyle. Without sufficient exercise it means that food nutrients are not transported around the body properly, and toxins in the lymphatic system are not completely eliminated. This can lead to cellulite and other problems in the body and with the skin. A diet which includes plenty of water, fresh fruit and vegetables will help to keep our bodies free from toxins and promote a clear, blooming complexion.

Environment can also affect our bodies. Most homes and offices are centrally heated, and this has a drying effect on the skin and hair. Keeping a bowl of water beside each radiator will help to increase humidity. Women who spend a lot of time outdoors should take care of their skin from excessive exposure to the sun, rain and wind. These are all equally damaging to the skin, and will promote wrinkles and early aging. Protect your skin from harmful ultra violet rays! Make sure you apply sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses, protective clothing and especially relax in the shade instead of in the sun.

Feeling happy with what you do is also extremely important. This is also effects your skin, hair and nails. When we are unhappy, e tend to feel negative about ourselves and are more likely to focus on our tiny imperfections. This can leave us feeling even worse and creates a horrible cycle which may lead to depression. With a positive mental attitude, on the other hand, we feel happier and more calm, our stress levels will decrease and we will look and feel healthier.

The Aging Process

Like all other organs, the skin deteriorates with age. Typically this is a characterized by the slowing down of cell regeneration, and the fact that dead skin cells gradually take longer to be discarded. As we grow older, our skin becomes less moist and loses elasticity. We are also more likely to develop more wrinkle lines in our face. As oestrogen production decreases during the menopause years your skin will start to thin out and dehydrate within the epidermis.

Many factors play a part in skin aging such as heredity, menopause, occupation, exposure to the sun and wind, poor diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, prolonged stress, insufficient sleep, even crash diets and excessive washing.

Aging is beyond our control, but we can help to minimize its effects by giving our bodies the best attention possible. Lifestyle factors need to be addressed and then backed up by a daily skin care regime with suitable lotions and creams, which can help to improve elasticity and the appearance of the skin, hair and nails.

Essential oils can be used successfully to combat the effects of aging. Research studies have shown that many essential oils have cell regenerative properties and essential oil products help to promote a much healthier, younger looking skin.

Pollution is one of the most dangerous things for your skin as it ages your skin prematurely. The most dangerous parts of your body which will be affected worst are your face, neck and hands. Your skin will protect itself from pollution but if the pollutants stay

on your skin for a long period it will change your skins structure and could cause serious, damaging problems.

Air pollution seriously affects the way you look and your lungs. When we breathe air it enters your lungs and can cause many serious problems such as asthma and nausea. Air with a lot of pollutants will irritate the lungs, cause nausea, coughing, chest pain, damage blood vessels, and affects the immune system. Not only does air pollution affect the lungs but it will also damage your skin. It will increase the oxidation of sebum, causes pimple formation, rashes, allergies and smoggy air may cause skin dehydration.

Pollution causes premature aging because the air sucks out the oxygen from the skin cells which can make your skin appear dull and saggy. Your complexion will become grayish and rashes may appear. This can also cause skin allergies, diseases, pigmentation, eczema and acne. It will damage your skin due to the increase the free radicals and the effect of UV radiation. It will decrease collagen and elastin production, which will result in rough skin, clogged pores and fine lines.

To take care of your skin and protect your self from pollution you must keep a strict skin care regime. Here are some tips on keeping your skin healthy and good looking.

Cleansing

When cleansing your face avoid washing your face with water from the tap as it contains high levels of chlorine as it will dry out your skin and damage it. Use mineral water to cleanse your face and also exfoliate your face 2 times a week and do a peeling mask for deeper cleansing.

Protection

To help you fight air pollution use a face cream and body lotions containing antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins and hydrants.

Your Healthy Lifestyle

Eating foods high in antioxidant nutrients as this will block free-radical activity in the body

Many skincare products will contain antioxidant ingredients - its really worth trying them.

Always cleanse your skin at night to wash of dirt and grime.

Drink alot of water to keep your skin hydrated.

Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that will destroy the free radicals.

Always wear sunscreen with a high SPF, and i mean everyday!

Always use a moisturizer as this acts as a barrier cream which will block environmental pollutants.

Steam your face once a week to cleanse the face and open the pores.

Avoid eating fatty or spicy foods.

Your skin can reveal the status of your health. It can show whether you have an iron deficiency, not enough sleep or dehydration. Your skin be used as a signal to help solve some serious health conditions and disorders that will effect your entire body.

Dull Complexion

This may suggest that you may have anemia, stress, not enough energy, and smoke way to much. If you have a dull complexion then you should drink a fresh cup of carrot juice everyday and drink at least 1.5 litres of water. You should also exfoliate your face at least once a week to brighten your skin.

Reddish Complexion

If you have a reddish complexion this could mean that you may have poor blood circulation, a vitamin or mineral deficiency, heart problems, high temperature, full blood vessels, Rosacea, or contact dermatitis. You must eat as many fruit and veggies as possible.

Dark Circles around the eyes

This could be apparent due to lack of sleep, anemia, a vitamin deficiency, kidney problems, nasal congestion, fluid retention, chronic sinusitis and dehydration.