Being a trainer for over two decades, I hear all kinds of excuses why people are not losing weight. Difficult one for me to handle was "I am genetically overweight and I will always be overweight" or "Obesity runs in my family so I cannot do anything about it". For long time I thought that to be true and thought there is no way I can work around their genetic or family history of obesity.
More and more I learn, I started to understand that genetic and family history has nothing to do with people are being overweight. Not just overweight. High blood pressure, low immune system, thyroid issues, heart issues, cancer issues, all of it has got so little or nothing to do with your genetics or family history.
If you are one of those who are using genetic and family history as excuse my advice is "STOP IT!!".
Reason why I say that is because you are more than what you think and with proper application of diet and exercise you can be stronger, more fit, and healthier.
Why am I confident about this? Because using genetic and family history on any physical condition does not seem logical.
For example, majority of people who tells me about their family being obese, they typically all have poor nutritional habits and does not exercise at all. On the other hands, those who have family that eat fairly well, not perfect, and participates in physical activity events like hiking, playing sports and so on, tends to be more fit and healthy. So in a way, it is family history but definitely not genetics but family habits that has been passed on.
What does that mean?
It means there is a chance of you change your physique, if you choose to, when you change your family habit into better habit.
Another thing is genetics are just a blueprint of your being and not the main controller of your life. There are number of studies started to emphasis that DNA can be altered based on environment that you create. Which means, even if you have genes of being skinny, when you start lifting weights and eating food that helps build muscles and bones, you can be more bigger and stronger, even without taking steroids.
If you are interested in this topic, try searching epigeneology.
So, if you are overweight and has health issue, don't make genetics and family history be an excuse. All trainers know that reason why you are where you are now is because of your habits. Of course if you want to keep your heavy weight and health issue, then that is your choice.
Here is the real question.
Knowing that you are in control of your physique, strength and health, which has nothing to do with your genetic and family history, would you still want to be where you are? Are you keep on allowing yourself to be programmed by your environment, including family, friends, doctors, and so on, and giving up the hope of becoming who you ought to be?
Sincerely,
Kota Shimada
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