DNA testing not worth it

AMVilla

I went to a company that claims you can lose weight by understanding your DNA. I thought it sounded scientific and made sense to me. My personal results were this: I don't process fat. They wanted me to eat a 35/35/30 diet. (protein/fat/carbs) This is hard to do. It's a lot of protein which automatically comes with fat. The only way to hit is with protein supplements. By the time I hit my calories for the day I was usually under on carbs. They also said I was working out wrong. I like long workouts - start on the arc trainer, move to the bike, then the treadmill. Mix with weights. But they said because of my DNA I should only do short, high intensity workouts. There were also a lot of supplements because the other tests showed I was low on key vitamins. The pills made my stomach upset. So basically, I was miserable. I didn't do well with the program and that's my fault for not "complying." But the info below is on them.

Had my feelings hurt today, so I want to get the word our there about this company. This link is a YELP review I left.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/slimgenerations-mckinney?osq=slim+generation

Right now I'm doing this. I'm counting calories. I'm taking my BMR plus calories burned working out. Then I am subtracting what I eat. I want to maintain a 1,000 deficit each day. If the theory is that one pound is 3,500 calories I should lose a healthy 2 pounds per week. I've been doing this for a month and it appears to be working. So this is a lot simpler. I'll try adding adjustments as I plateau (such as lowering carbs, adding protein, trying high intensity, etc)

Feeling low today. Comments are welcome.

zoeysasha37

I didn't even click on the link but will comment anyway
Weight loss comes from a calorie deficit. Companies love to make big money by marketing all types of weight loss and health woo. Some sounds scientific and some sounds ridiculous but either way, they make billions per year.
If you want to lose weight, get yourself a food scale. Learn how to weigh all your solids, measure liquids.
Log everything here on mfp .
Eat at a caloric deficit and you will lose weight. There's no need to pay money for any weight loss program, no need for fads and gimmicks. No need for low carb ( unless you have a medical condition) no need to go Paleo or whatever next weeks craze will be.
There will always be companies trying to make money off of you, there will always be people who truly believe the nonsense ( as you see here every single day) but just know that none of it is needed.
As far as exercise, find an activity that you enjoy and do it! Who cares if it's running, walking, biking, whatever. Just get active. Do some strength training( you don't have to lift heavy if you don't want to! Just do something!)
Most importantly remember that You don't need to buy anything but a food scale. No need for all the fancy woo, derp diets and so on. Just eat at a calorie deficit and you'll lose weight

Hauntinglyfit

Chalk it up to lessons learned (the really hard/expensive way), and move on.
Calorie counting works, i'd just focus on getting an adequate amount of protein and let the rest fall wherever when it comes to macros.
Nothing wrong with long workouts, if that is what you like.

How much weight do you have to lose? How many calories a day are you eating? 1000 calorie a day deficit is super high, and might cause you to burn out quickly. A more moderate approach might be better for your long term goals.

emdeesea

Yeah this is why the diet industry is a multi-multi billion dollar industry. You can't trust anyone. Lots of snake oil out there.

All you need is a calorie deficit. That's it. Zoey said it all.

JaneSnowe

AMVilla wrote: »

I went to a company that claims you can lose weight by understanding your DNA. I thought it sounded scientific and made sense to me. My personal results were this: I don't process fat. They wanted me to eat a 35/35/30 diet. (protein/fat/carbs) This is hard to do. It's a lot of protein which automatically comes with fat. The only way to hit is with protein supplements. By the time I hit my calories for the day I was usually under on carbs. They also said I was working out wrong. I like long workouts - start on the arc trainer, move to the bike, then the treadmill. Mix with weights. But they said because of my DNA I should only do short, high intensity workouts. There were also a lot of supplements because the other tests showed I was low on key vitamins. The pills made my stomach upset. So basically, I was miserable. I didn't do well with the program and that's my fault for not "complying." But the info below is on them.

Had my feelings hurt today, so I want to get the word our there about this company. This link is a YELP review I left.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/slimgenerations-mckinney?osq=slim+generation

Right now I'm doing this. I'm counting calories. I'm taking my BMR plus calories burned working out. Then I am subtracting what I eat. I want to maintain a 1,000 deficit each day. If the theory is that one pound is 3,500 calories I should lose a healthy 2 pounds per week. I've been doing this for a month and it appears to be working. So this is a lot simpler. I'll try adding adjustments as I plateau (such as lowering carbs, adding protein, trying high intensity, etc)

Feeling low today. Comments are welcome.

Just wanted to highlight all the positive things you're doing! Screw that company that takes advantage of people! You're doing awesome on your own. Keep it up! You've got this!

Edit: Holy cow, I just read your review and what they wrote to you! So unprofessional and insulting, to say the very least! And the way they responded to another reviewer on that same page...I just can't even...

zoeysasha37

Here's something you should know op because you said you where feeling down about this-
Most of us have been there!! Heck i remember thinking I had to go low carb to lose weight. You live and you learn. The truth remains that a calorie deficit is all you need for weight loss. Most of us have tried different gimmicks before we knew better also. So don't feel badly, we've been there! What matters is that your here now! You'll know better next time someone tries to sell you any weight loss products or push fancy diets on you. Don't feel badly, your in the right place now.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

tracykreczmer

Please don't feel low. .weight loss industry is in the billions! Ignore what they said! Unless its about a gene that might be linked to a cancer

If u don't exercise they way u love ..u won't exercise.

There is no perfect combo. Every body is different..add age activity any physical problems.

They should feel like crud for making people like u feel bad!


Exercise and log. .eliminate a couple foods.

But mostly love yourself...be good to you.

We all are here for you! Hugs

zoeysasha37

Noel_57 wrote: »

Yikes. I have heard of the Ancestry DNA tests, but never one that gives the kind of information you described. I doubt it was accurate, because I have never heard of genes that determine how one "processes" fat, at least on how it relates to body weight. I hate to say this testing was a farce, because I'm sure you paid a pretty penny for it. But I would not take the information given to you very seriously.

This is different the ancestry or 23andme.

These weight loss clinics are popping up everywhere and often seem legit to the average person. They are unaware that they are about to pay a high cost for some doctor to sell them a spiel of woo. These clinics usually offer b12 injections too, they tell clients it will speed up their metabolism and a bunch of other lies. They often prescribe weight loss medicine( legal speed) and then when they are about to get shut down, they close up shop. People have died because of the unsafe weight loss practices these clinics condone. The one that sticks out in my mind was - 154lb 5'6 32yr old lady with a MBA went for help to lose weight. She spent about 5,000 total. They gave her DNA testing, pills, shots, diet plan and workout routine. She died 9 months in. She left behind two small kids. she was just a few pounds over weight but yet this clinic put her on a 900 cal per day low carb diet and gave her pills and shots. She was working out 1.5 hrs per day because they told her that her DNA said she held onto stubborn abdominal fat and needed to trick her body into losing it. if you haven't heard of these clinics, I'm sure you will soon as they are popping up everywhere.. Buyer beware for sure!

KetoneKaren

AMVilla Hope you reported them to BBB. And I would take a screen shot of those reviews and responses before they disappear. You have learned a painful but valuable lesson. I am feeling really sorry for you right now. Most people on MFP have succeeded by finding and sticking to a plan that works for them which may include logging, counting calories and macros, and exercising. You will get a lot of support here as long as you stay away from negative threads. Most people are helpful.

AMVilla

Thanks, all. Haunghtinglyfit, I need to lose 100. My bmr is 1900 so if I eat 1200 I'm not too from my goal. I plan to take it slow. After my experience I quit for a year so any progress is better than that. I appreciate all the positive feedback I've been getting. I feel good today.

gatorsong

Do what works for you. IF you are losing and that is your goal then it is good for you. It reminds me a lot of the Blood Type diet that was the rage back in the 90's (I think). I know it tried to make a resurgence but didn't latch on.

SLLRunner

AMVilla wrote: »

I went to a company that claims you can lose weight by understanding your DNA. I thought it sounded scientific and made sense to me. My personal results were this: I don't process fat. They wanted me to eat a 35/35/30 diet. (protein/fat/carbs) This is hard to do. It's a lot of protein which automatically comes with fat. The only way to hit is with protein supplements. By the time I hit my calories for the day I was usually under on carbs. They also said I was working out wrong. I like long workouts - start on the arc trainer, move to the bike, then the treadmill. Mix with weights. But they said because of my DNA I should only do short, high intensity workouts. There were also a lot of supplements because the other tests showed I was low on key vitamins. The pills made my stomach upset. So basically, I was miserable. I didn't do well with the program and that's my fault for not "complying." But the info below is on them.

Had my feelings hurt today, so I want to get the word our there about this company. This link is a YELP review I left.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/slimgenerations-mckinney?osq=slim+generation

Right now I'm doing this. I'm counting calories. I'm taking my BMR plus calories burned working out. Then I am subtracting what I eat. I want to maintain a 1,000 deficit each day. If the theory is that one pound is 3,500 calories I should lose a healthy 2 pounds per week. I've been doing this for a month and it appears to be working. So this is a lot simpler. I'll try adding adjustments as I plateau (such as lowering carbs, adding protein, trying high intensity, etc)

Feeling low today. Comments are welcome.

Chin up, hang in there and put this away as a lesson learned. Many of us have been in that place of looking for a magic solution. It sounds like you are doing just fine now.

Zipp237

I'm not suggesting that you should ever buy expensive vitamins (especially from iffy sources), but vitamins taken on an empty stomach make many people sick. Fwiw.

You learned a lesson the hard way. We've all learned some lesson that way. If that's the dumbest thing you ever do, you'll be a lucky woman. Forget it.

nutmegoreo

Zipp237 wrote: »

I'm not suggesting that you should ever buy expensive vitamins (especially from iffy sources), but vitamins taken on an empty stomach make many people sick. Fwiw.

You learned a lesson the hard way. We've all learned some lesson that way. If that's the dumbest thing you ever do, you'll be a lucky woman. Forget it.

I don't think we read the same thread.

OP, I'm sorry. The good news is everything you need to know to do this is at your fingertips and you can do it for the cost of a food scale, the food, and any fitness membership you might wish to incorporate at some time. That last one is optional.

ninerbuff

The two main thing DNA is used for today is to help exclude a suspect from a crime and to identify if someone is related to you.
Companies making claims of using your DNA to pinpoint on how to lose weight is just another scam to make money.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

riceiscarb

considering... just like human brain, there is still a lot that we don't know about DNA. Until they say they know 100% of human DNA and can change it somehow so i can eat 10000 calories and still lose weight, i'm not going to listen to them or give them a single cent.

with that being said, OP i think you're doing good by following a well proven method (counting/deficit calories) that actually works for you. Ignore those jerks and keep doing what works for you. well done!

dolliesdaughter

Any way to get your money.

tech_kitten

They sound awful. Thanks for the heads up.

JeromeBarry1

Oh, next the financial services industry will promise to use your DNA (after you pay for the sequencing) to pinpoint and prevent your market losses.

CurlyCockney

@AMVilla I hope you're feeling better today. When I think of some of the (admittedly, non-diet related) things I've believed it almost makes my hair straight ;-)

Chin up, you're on the right path now x

SwimmyD

From the slim generation's website:

How Exercise May Play a Role Obesity Genes:
A team of experts coming from McMaster University, Canada, possess really found that those along with a genetic proneness for body weight complications could aid decrease this genetic outcome along with a literally energetic lifestyle.

And:

Accuracy Weight-loss is Here:
Researches unveil some model of “I am going to decline body weight” or even “I’ll train” neighbor the max of several New Year’s settlement listings. Oscar Wilde infamously referred to as terrific settlements “cheques that guys rely on a banking company where these experts possess no profile.”

A company that says it's based in the USA and doesn't understand the basic concepts of grammar and sentence structure and the meaning of English words does not understand basic genetics. Looks like some kind of bot writing to me. Either that or some scammers on computers in an Internet cafe in a 419 type of scam.

Glad you have found MFP OP. You will succeed this time.

cross2bear

SwimmyD wrote: »

From the slim generation's website:

How Exercise May Play a Role Obesity Genes:
A team of experts coming from McMaster University, Canada, possess really found that those along with a genetic proneness for body weight complications could aid decrease this genetic outcome along with a literally energetic lifestyle.

And:

Accuracy Weight-loss is Here:
Researches unveil some model of “I am going to decline body weight” or even “I’ll train” neighbor the max of several New Year’s settlement listings. Oscar Wilde infamously referred to as terrific settlements “cheques that guys rely on a banking company where these experts possess no profile.”

A company that says it's based in the USA and doesn't understand the basic concepts of grammar and sentence structure and the meaning of English words does not understand basic genetics. Looks like some kind of bot writing to me. Either that or some scammers on computers in an Internet cafe in a 419 type of scam.

Glad you have found MFP OP. You will succeed this time.

I agree with you - thats not even good English - I dont believe it comes from McMaster - I believe the claims are bogus.

AMVilla

Thanks, everyone. Yes, lesson learned. Best thing is to cut calories and take your time. And thanks to Pokemon Go my kids are bugging me to walk all the time now, lol! Nothing like a good support group.