I think this discussion has gotten quite deep so to speak. I'm an apple and have always been since adolescence. My apple sister starved herself into a size zero flat/hourglass. I will never do that. I am who I am and my body is what it is. i eat healthy, I workout, I live a goodlife, I've borne a baby and if I'm meant to be an apple: then so be it. An apple is an apple: Gala, Red delicious or whateverchamcalit.

AMEN, sistah! GP, you dress brilliantly if you have an apple to speak of. After two kids, you are looking flawless to me! I admire your taste and self-confidence. You go, girl. For me, even at slim 6 & 8 sizes, I have always had a bit of a soft belly, but now as an adult I think of it as Rubenesque rather than something to desperately become a starvation camp victim over. I went through the whole neurotic *oh-my-god-by-tummy-isn't-a-pancake-how-will-i-EVER-survive!* mindset, and I'm SO over it!!! I'm just not a self-punishing person. If others want to focus on getting an Olympic athlete washboard and it makes them feel great, kudos to them. For me, not sustainable or even interesting. Again, it's personal choice. I choose to eat as healthy as I deem possible, take some pleasant walks, and dress in a flattering/happy way, and that's it. I think there are a lot of healthy thinkers here, and I LOVE reading their comments.

ETA: Sona, I vote for Red Delicious! CLEVER!

I definitely do not believe in starving or depriving myself! I'm actually amazed that I'm back at my pre-pregnancy weight after two kids. I do try not to eat too much, but I don't restrict what types of food I eat (except I'm on a strict no dairy diet, because I'm still nursing and DS is allergic). I'm a snacker with a weakness for junk food (hamburger, french fries, chili etc) and not very good about exercising. I think if someone said "you can lose your apple tummy but can never eat popcorn or candy again" I'd have to politely refuse, LOL! I must have a built-in daily calorie reserve because I have been nursing continuously (DD and now DS) for the past four and a half years...it will be a sad day when that goes away...

Sona...I like Red delicious too! Red is my favorite color!

I think looking fab during nursing is a total triumph.

I don't have any problem with the term "apple" - as long as I can figure out how to dress my apple shape, I am perfectly content.

The only other thing I try to pay attention to is not gaining weight - the apple shape runs in my family and, as many studies show, accumulating excess weight in the apple-shaped pattern comes with the increased predisposition to type II diabetes and heart disease. My Dad, who was also apple-shaped, had high blood pressure, heart disease, and type II diabetes. So I just try to be conscious of that and maintain a healthy weight as much as possible.

Lately I've been obsessed with pomegranates. . . pomegranate seeds in Greek yogurt with walnuts for breakfast, nom nom nom.

The best salad in the world: fresh hand-washed spinach; blueberries; roasted beets; pomegranate seeds; avocado; pepitas, sunflower seeds; goat cheese; and candied walnuts. NOM!

Sorry, I'm wandering off topic. . . now I'm hungry. . . will go find an apple. . .

You are making me hungry, Alicat! Yum!!!

Come on over and I'll cook for you!

I'm making chicken breasts tonight roasted in an Indian-inspired marinade: yogurt, lemon juice, dry mustard, curry powder, garlic, ginger, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper. I don't know if my recipe is all that authentic, but it's yummy!

Do you live near me? It's a date! You sound like an awesome chef! (wiping drool off the keyboard...)

I've always thought of myself as a barrel...or a pot bellied stove. I think I prefer apple. : )

I just had half a frozen pizza for dinner - I want to dine at Alicat's too!

Come on over, girls!

Elizabeth asked if women would be happier if they could have their clothing custom made for them. Yes, I would! My mother was a professional seamstress and used to make almost all of my clothing (everthing except jeans and t-shirts). I miss the days of being about to pick the fabric, pick the pattern (or have her work her magic and alter the pattern so suit my tastes) and customize the fit to my body. Now I have to shop retail like everyone else, and it's difficult. While I don't have some of the problems others do, and I'm thankful for that, I still find it frustrating to find off-the-rack clothing that fits properly--particularly pants. Once you know about quality fabric, quality workmanship, and proper fit, there's no going back. You get picky.

Yes, off-the-rack clothing can be altered, but only to a certain degree, and some alterations are either expensive and therefore not worth doing, or are not possible.