Are You a Spoon?

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

14 May 2007 05:38 PM

Wondering what a spoon is outside of an eating utensil or a very a snuggly position with your spouse? Well, wonder no longer. A spoon is a body shape that means you carry excess weight on your hips, thighs and behind the knees. My legs are somewhat spoon like, even when I am at my peak weight; my legs are larger than my upper body would indicate.

Spoon Doesn't Equal Overweight

Before you get the wrong idea, just because your lower body is larger than your upper body, don't believe that this is an indicator of being overweight. I felt this way for years, even when I wore a size 7, I was convinced that I was overweight because I had big thighs. My thighs are very muscular and between dancing and horseback riding, they got bigger.

The more I exercised and the more I physical activity I engaged in, the bigger my thighs got. I actually bulked up from a size 7 to a size 12 the more physically active I got. And while I'd love to be a size 12 today, the idea that I was getting bigger, even as I was getting fitter was pretty disheartening.

According to studies, a typical spoon has a measurement of 34-30-42. This can make you feel really out of place in an hourglass world that puts heavy emphasis on slighter built women. So if you're a spoon or you think you're a spoon, there's something you should know about exercise - some forms of exercise can make you bulkier and emphasize your spoon figure.

Spoons typically have a long torso and short legs. They are also stronger in their lower body than they are in their upper. Upper body strength is not something they emphasize. Spoons excel in sports that require a lot of lower body strength. If you are a spoon, you are looking for a lot of light resistance exercises and aerobic workouts that give you the chance to tone and burn without building bulk.

Some great exercises for spoons include:

• Jumping rope
• Biking with light resistance and high revolutions
• Jumping Jacks
• Elliptical machine with higher resistance on the upper body versus the lower body
• Marching in place
• Fast walking on the flat (skip the inclines)
• Chin ups, pull ups and push ups

Are you a spoon?

Related Articles:

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: I Hate Myself

One Size Does Not Fit All (Part Deux)

What's Your Body Type?

Men's Fitness: How Does He Feel About His Body?

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Mary Ann Romans (27249) 15 May 2007 06:48 AM

While I don't think I am a spoon, I have calf muscles that tend to bulk up quickly, so I appreciate the exercise tips.