Real women have curves

FEATURE by Ahmed Mauroof Jameel MALE, Feb 1 (HNS) - Staying fit is important for any woman who wants to maintain her figure," said Fathmath Naziya, 23, who attends aerobics classes regularly. Maldives is experiencing a boom in the popularity of exercise, as awareness on the needs and benefits of healthy living steadily grows. Regular exercise has become the 'in thing' as more and more people play sports, jog, swim, and attend aerobics classes and gyms. Maldivian physiques in general are undergoing changes. "Changes are everywhere; more and more women are concerned about their shape," 'Curve' aerobics class proprietor Hinna Khalid told Haveeru. As a result, female figures are now starting to 'take shape' more than before, as everyone now seems to focus on their curves. However, there are misconceptions and problems regarding this. BRITNEY SPEARS: A BAD EXAMPLE FOR MALDIVIAN GIRLS: Exercise should be based upon the person's weight, height, age, build, and should be maintained for lifetime. The trouble lies in that teenage girls start their own diet to become thin, without a doctor's consultation, and without the slightest idea on how it should be done. With the myth of 'dieting equals starving' in mind, they are further influenced by teen idols such as Britney Spears and their "super low," hip-hugging jeans or trousers revealing tummies and highlighting bottoms. The results should be obvious: sometimes, severe health problems arise, including trouble with muscles, and problems owed to bad blood circulation such as loss of quick thinking, reflexes and reaction. "As a result of starving themselves when they need food most to grow, adolescent girls these days have stunted height and development. The most problems are apparent when they enter pregnancy," says former aerobics veteran Shifa Mohamed. "The image that being thin is being healthy is projected by today's fashion world. This means that mature women do aerobics for health while the younger generation strives to be ultra thin." MATURE WOMEN CONCERNED ABOUT ABS; YOUNG WOMEN ABOUT THIGHS AND LEGS: Maldivian women use the word 'beauty' in many contexts. For some, it means having a flat belly, and for them, exercise is the key. "Most women focus on their abdomens, and usually they would be older women. Younger women give more attention to their thighs and calves, usually because they wear tight jeans," said 'Body Fusion' proprietor and instructor, Nasheeda (Nashee) Mohamed. Nashee believes that the proper curves would appear on a person who takes care of her body properly. This means that having a straight posture would lead to a better-looking body. For this purpose, the abdominal muscles, or 'abs' must be strengthened, as well as the back muscles. When these muscles are weak, a person tends to sag. WOMEN'S CURVES ARE DEFINED BY BODY FRAME: Thinning one's body to the extent of scrawniness is not regarded universally as beauty. "Real woman have curves," says Nashee, echoing the popular saying. So how do women get their curves and shape? "By fitting into the body frame," Hinna's says. "By maintaining one's body according to its build and height, and by developing the muscles accordingly," she adds. A woman's curves are defined by her muscles' form. Shifa recommends a combination of weight training, toning, and sculpting exercises to achieve this end. "Everyone has curves. Everyone can develop their existing curves to become better looking," says Hinna.