Genes
- Thread starter naynay
- Start date
GMonkey
Cathlete
Genetics do play a part in our physique, but we are not bound to them. Both of my parents are morbidly obese. They also have severe high blood pressure, heart problems, type II diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.
I've been working out since my teens and have a semi-clean diet (I'm very into gourmet cooking, so it's a challenge) and I am 13 lbs over my ideal BMI. Because of my efforts, though, my BP, sugar levels, and cholesterol are great.
We do tend to gain in the same areas as those in our family. The women in my dad's family tend to have heavy arms, as do I, and the women in my mom's family tend to have extremely hourglass figures, even when overweight. So, unless I wear clothing which is very waist-defining, I tend to look far heavier than I really am.
I think that people have the best success with healthy eating when they make gradual changes, it's easier to stick with it. Recognize that your genetics make things challenging, but it's important that we neither give up nor use them as an excuse.
I've been working out since my teens and have a semi-clean diet (I'm very into gourmet cooking, so it's a challenge) and I am 13 lbs over my ideal BMI. Because of my efforts, though, my BP, sugar levels, and cholesterol are great.
We do tend to gain in the same areas as those in our family. The women in my dad's family tend to have heavy arms, as do I, and the women in my mom's family tend to have extremely hourglass figures, even when overweight. So, unless I wear clothing which is very waist-defining, I tend to look far heavier than I really am.
I think that people have the best success with healthy eating when they make gradual changes, it's easier to stick with it. Recognize that your genetics make things challenging, but it's important that we neither give up nor use them as an excuse.
morningstar
Cathlete
Of course. There are loads of people that have skinny parents that end up fat- they managed to overcome their skinny genes!
syzygy314
Cathlete
Genes are genes. If you are pear-shaped, you will always be pear-shaped. You can't change that and have an hourglass figure, but you can improve it! Keep working hard and you will see improvement, but you will always be a "pear!" I take after my Mom and have no waist. It takes me a year or more to get my bodyfat to go down from my belly and improve my waistline. It is the last place I lose! However, I will never have a 26" waist!
measuredoak
Cathlete
RapidBreath
Cathlete
It matters
But, there is no reason to point yourself in the wrong direction with behaviors that consistently make things worse. I used to think I was doomed to being morbidly obese (size 22 and only 5'2") and I set out to prove that nothing would ever work or help so I set about exercising and counting calories. I even tried doing Atkins (didn't really do it right so I don't think that counted.) I did everything very scientifically, I kept a journal about my workouts and eats. I weighed and measured everything. I got a HRM. I paid attention to the trends in my weight relative to my foods and the intensity of my WO. I lost 12 pounds initially fairly easily. Then, I had to up the intensity of my WO. At the time, I was coming off of an injury, so that was a challenge. And, now I'm fighting a plateau challenge again (Spring does not seem to be my cutting phase.) But, ultimately, in spite of my insulin resistance, obesity in my family, and significant upheaval in my life (moving, career change, and now the economy) I have lost 80 pounds in 2.5 years. I didn't think it was possible. I have stumbled along the way, even after I figured out how to work with my body, I still have emotional reasons to avoid the pain and discomfort of weight loss (anxiety.) But, now I know its possible. So, I can tell you without a doubt that yes work and the careful assesment of how exercise and diet effects your body can trump lousy genetics. You have to understand I have a first cousin who is pushing 600 pounds. She is tall, but still, you get the picture. I did not want to be that person. The one who was crushing her own ankles under her own weight. I had to change jobs from one that was extremely stressful (20 hour days, 6 days a week, and hardly any pay) to being in the job market. (A stressor to be sure, but I'm not gonna take that kind of treatment anymore.)
I hope that gives you hope.
But, there is no reason to point yourself in the wrong direction with behaviors that consistently make things worse. I used to think I was doomed to being morbidly obese (size 22 and only 5'2") and I set out to prove that nothing would ever work or help so I set about exercising and counting calories. I even tried doing Atkins (didn't really do it right so I don't think that counted.) I did everything very scientifically, I kept a journal about my workouts and eats. I weighed and measured everything. I got a HRM. I paid attention to the trends in my weight relative to my foods and the intensity of my WO. I lost 12 pounds initially fairly easily. Then, I had to up the intensity of my WO. At the time, I was coming off of an injury, so that was a challenge. And, now I'm fighting a plateau challenge again (Spring does not seem to be my cutting phase.) But, ultimately, in spite of my insulin resistance, obesity in my family, and significant upheaval in my life (moving, career change, and now the economy) I have lost 80 pounds in 2.5 years. I didn't think it was possible. I have stumbled along the way, even after I figured out how to work with my body, I still have emotional reasons to avoid the pain and discomfort of weight loss (anxiety.) But, now I know its possible. So, I can tell you without a doubt that yes work and the careful assesment of how exercise and diet effects your body can trump lousy genetics. You have to understand I have a first cousin who is pushing 600 pounds. She is tall, but still, you get the picture. I did not want to be that person. The one who was crushing her own ankles under her own weight. I had to change jobs from one that was extremely stressful (20 hour days, 6 days a week, and hardly any pay) to being in the job market. (A stressor to be sure, but I'm not gonna take that kind of treatment anymore.)
I hope that gives you hope.
measuredoak
Cathlete
wow, congratulations on not only your weight loss but taking charge of your health. Thanks for sharing your story.