Bodies come in all shapes and sizes. One that leans more towards the athletic physique for females is the mesomorph body type.
It’s all based on genetics. And adopting a few nutritional and fitness habits for your body type, you, as a mesomorph female, can efficiently meet your health and fitness goals.
The reality is, what you eat and how you exercise is the cornerstone of your overall well-being. Explore how you can tap into your full physical potential as a mesomorph female.
What is a mesomorph female body type?
Female mesomorphs naturally have a high muscle-to-fat ratio and as a result, they tend to have an hourglass shape. With wider shoulders and narrow waists, they gain and lose weight easily — which, without the proper nutrition and fitness regimen, can prove to be a challenge in and of itself. So while they can be fit and slender, there is such thing as an overweight mesomorph female.
This body category is one of three somatotypes, a classification of body types introduced by William Sheldon back in the 1940s. (Ectomorphs and endomorphs make up the other two somatotypes.) Additionally, according to his theory, genetic body types don’t just determine a person’s physique; they can also influence their behavior and success.
So when it comes to personality, mesomorph characteristics include assertiveness, boldness, and adventure-seeking. They love being in charge and are willing to work hard to achieve success.
If this sounds like you, you’re very likely a mesomorph yourself. You can also take a simple body type quiz if you’re unsure you fall into this category.
Mesomorph female celebrities
Chances are, you’ve seen people with this somatotype. In pop culture, especially, there are plenty of mesomorph female celebrities. Here are a few you may be familiar with:
- Jennifer Garner
- Halle Berry
- Jessica Alba
- Jillian Michaels
- Angela Bassett
- Cameron Diaz
Granted, these celebrities may have the access to fitness trainers and nutritionists. And the downside is when they show off their physique on social media, it creates this body comparison culture that can lead (and is leading, according to this 2016 study) to a growing concern regarding body image amongst females.
So take these celebrities as an inspiration to eat healthier and exercise more rather than as a benchmark. By implementing a few good lifestyle habits, you can start seeing and feeling a difference.
The ideal female mesomorph diet
As a mesomorph woman, you have the freedom to operate the way you want, but you must take responsibility for the choices you make and the actions you take. It’s important to remember that your genes can’t do all the work for you.
If you really want to achieve results, it’s important to re-evaluate what you eat. No matter your somatotype, it’s important to have a well-balanced diet. Here are four things to consider shifting for your dietary needs:
- Cut out processed sugar. Research has shown that sugar has a number of detrimental side effects and can sabotage your health goals.
- Getting a healthy amount of protein, carbs, fats, fruits, and vegetables. Protein should make up around 30–40% of your meals, with the other 60–70% coming from healthy carbs and fats, including fruits and vegetables. Of course, you can adjust this ratio to your liking, but it’s important that you create a balance.
- Avoid processed foods as much as you can and replace them with healthy substitutes. This holds especially true for fats, as consuming the wrong types of fats can set you back.
- Fasting is a great daily practice with plenty of benefits. However, it’s important to note that intermittent fasting for women is slightly different than for men, but the general rule is that 12 hours is enough to reap the rewards.
Mesomorphs have to make fewer sacrifices than the other body types to stay in shape, so you can still enjoy many of your favorite foods while adopting a new diet.
If you’d like to understand more about food freedom and to completely transform your relationship with food, you can watch Eric Edmeades, creator of WILDFIT® and trainer of Mindvalley’s Quest with the same name.
Mesomorph female workout plan
Certainly, nutrition is only one-half of the equation. Maintaining a physical lifestyle is just as important as your diet.
But when it comes to mesomorph women’s fitness, what exercises should you do? Similar to the other two somatotypes, it really depends on your goals.
- For weight loss, cardio is the best road to take. High-intensity cardio 1-3 times a week paired with low-intensity workouts is the easiest way to take advantage of the fat-burning ability of your mesomorphic body.
- For well-defined muscles, toning exercises are a perfect choice. For example, planks activate a variety of core muscles. It’s among the most comprehensive of exercises, so it’s worth making it a part of your routine.
As Ronan Diego, Mindvalley’s head of health and fitness and trainer of Mindvalley’s 10X Quest says, “What you need is, first, a type of exercise that gets your body to adapt. Then, you need to make these exercises intense enough so that you don’t need to spend hours doing light work.” Simply put, work out smarter, not harder.
Take a cue from Ronan with these exercise tips:
Bonus: How to dress a female mesomorph body type
Your style is a representation of who you are. This is the message Sandy Grigsby, a.k.a. the “Confidence Catalyst,” highlights in a conversation with Vishen, founder of Mindvalley.
“It represents trust,” she explains on an episode of The Mindvalley Podcast. “If you take care of how you look, you take care of how you are — that means that you trust yourself. And that means others can inherently trust you.”
That boils down to the question: how should you dress if you have a mesomorph body type? Here are a few things you can do to dress for a more confident self-image.
- Use your waist as a focal point. Accessorize with a belt to balance your top and bottom.
- Wear V-neck tops. The shape of the V acts as an arrow to help draw attention toward the center of your frame.
- A-line skirts, pencil skirts, and skinny jeans help accentuate your bottom half. It helps create an illusion of having curves.
Sandy has other great tips on styling. Watch the interview to learn more:
Feel stronger, go further
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” as the saying goes. And your body isn’t either.
If you need a little help, you can turn to Mindvalley. You’ll find various health topics that can help you level up your well-being. From learning how to change your food habits with Eric Edmeades to getting 10x fitter and stronger with Ronan Diego.
What’s more, when you sign up for a Mindvalley account, you can be part of the live audience of interviews on The Mindvalley Podcast with thought leaders and experts in all the different aspects of personal growth.
Remember: balance is key. This goes for exercise, meal plans, and all other positive lifestyle changes you make. If you can achieve it, you’ll be well on your way to the life you’ve always dreamed of.
