Many cheerleaders want to lose weight, but because it's important to have a clear understanding in order to have realistic expectations, you need to first understand body types. There are three main body types: Ectomorphs, mesomorphs, and endomorphs.



Ectomorphs tend to:

• Be naturally thin
• Have difficulty gaining muscle or weight
• Excel in endurance sports like running, cycling, etc.

• Be naturally "just right"
• Gain muscle easily, but not fat (assuming they are active and healthy)
• Be all around athletes
  

• Be naturally heavier
• Have difficulty losing weight
• Excel in power sports

To be clear, there are variations on these main body types, and variations between each which increases the types. And, when you factor in height, it increases the body types greatly. All of this was brought up to make a point:

You can work to improve your body as much as possible, but you cannot change what God gave you. This may make you happy or sad, but it's the truth. For example, no matter how much I (an ectomorph) wanted to have broader shoulders and bigger arms, it never happened. On the flip side, no matter how much and endomorph may want to be a runway model, it's not going to happen. You need to accept what you have been given and make the most of it. A mesomorph can be lean, fit and look jaw-dropping, but may not be the best choice for a flyer. I hope you understand that the first step in reaching your goal is to understand who God made you, then trying to optimize that.

So, go ahead, train and eat healthily in order to be the best and look the best you can. But, remember to be the best YOU, not someone else. For much more on this, check out Get Lean.

Written by Mike Caton - Founder of CheerTough, Inc