How to Get a Pear-Shaped Body

A pear-shaped figure is a body that follows the natural shape and form of a pear -- it stores more fat below the waist than it does above the waist. This body type is recognized by a slim upper half around the shoulders and waist and a curvier lower half around the hips. If you have an apple-shaped figure, with fat stored on the body's upper half, you can burn fat around your waist and stomach to leave you looking healthy and curvy. Even if you have a naturally curvy body already, you can still tone your lower half to achieve a healthier pear shape.

Instructions

• 1

  Tone up to build muscle and burn off any fat on your upper body to balance it against your lower half. An attractive pear shape can be achieved by doing exercises that burn some fat around the lower body but more fat around the upper half. Achieve this by doing compound exercises-- pushups, shoulder presses and squats, for example -- that burn fat all over but strip it from your upper body quicker.

  Dumbbell-rows are also effective upper-body fat strippers. Do one yourself by holding a dumbbell of comfortable weight in one hand while bending over a chair or bench at knee height. Stand with your feet shoulders-width apart, and keep your back straight while letting the dumbbell hang perfectly still by your side. Pull it up to your hips, and hold the dumbbell there for two seconds before returning it to the hanging position. Avoid swinging the dumbbell for momentum.

• 2

  Do plenty of cardiovascular exercise to burn fat around your abdomen and produce a much fuller and well-defined pear shape. Cardiovascular exercises, including jogging, rowing, swimming and cycling, are effective fat strippers and are ideal for slimming the upper-half of your pear shape. Burn fat on your abdomen as well by doing high-intensity sports such as basketball, tennis and racquetball.

• 3

  Leg lifts can help tone up an existing pear shape.

  Work on your existing curves if you are looking for a tighter pear-shaped frame. Curvier women should do exercises that burn excess fat around the lower body to tighten and tone the lower half of the pear shape. Gym users should focus on leg extensions, leg presses and calf raises. Those without a gym membership should try lunges, squats and heel raises. These exercises are ideal for women who already have a slim upper body.

• 4

  Eat and maintain a healthy and balanced diet to support your exercise regime and to avoid piling on any extra pounds. Eat more fruit and vegetables, for example, because they are dense in nutrients and low in calories. Also incorporate healthy carbs and whole grains into your diet -- these keep you feeling fuller for longer and keep blood sugar and insulin levels stable. Consume enough protein as well to help increase muscle mass and give you the energy to exercise.