Living The Lifestyle Monday 7/1/19

imastar2

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.


This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!


Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Thread starters for June are below:


Monday -imastar2 (Derrick)
Tuesday -
Wednesday -
Thursday - misterhub (Greg)
Friday -


Today's Topic: Hereditary Weight Issues...
1. Do you have an opinion, thought or any type of reasoning as to whether your weight was hereditary from your parents or grandparents? Would you like to share?

gadgetgirlIL

I only knew my grandparents from my mother's side. My father's parents were both gone before he met my mother.

I recall my grandmother saying that her weight had at one point gotten up to the 160s but then she got it back down. I don't know my grandmother's height as by the time I knew her she was hunched over from severe osteoporosis. My parents married later in life, btw.

I have no sense as to my grandfather's weight as he was quite disabled by emphysema by the time I knew him. He was a farmer so was very active. I doubt he had any weight issues.

My mother always struggled with her weight while her 2 sisters did not. My father was always at a normal weight.

I certainly believed for a long time that my weight struggles, which began around age 7 or 8, were due to getting my mom's genes. But at some point in my late 40s I realized that I also had inherited my father's genes as I had his endurance and tenacity. At this point in my life my father's genes are offsetting my mother's genes.

I believe the saying is something like "genetics gives you the cannon, but lifestyle loads it".

imastar2

@gadgetgirlIl wrote I believe the saying is something like "genetics gives you the cannon, but lifestyle loads it"

I like that quote and never heard it before. My lifestyle has certainly loaded the cannon. Genetic wise my Dad was pretty heavy all his life but lived to age 78. Mom was somewhat on the heavy side during the middle of her life. My grandmother on my Mom's side was short but always pretty stocky. Never knew my original grandfather on Mom's side.

My Father m's Mom was always skinny as a rail as far as when I knew her and all my Dad's Brothers were pretty heavy most of their life. Never knew or talked much about my Grandfather on my Dad's side because my Dad was born in 1901 so his Father was born way back in the 1800's.

I'm pretty sure genetics though gave me the gene but I can't just sit around and blame my cells. 🙂

cakeman21k

I prefer not to think in terms of genetics but rather in terms of body types. I have lots of short stout ancestors on both sides of my family, but that body type is common for the central european types that both my familys come from, (Eastern Germany & Checkslovakia), And just like there are certain chareristics that are common depending on where your ancestors are from like hair & skin color, the tendency to be taller or shorter, slender or portly also seem to be common. Having said all that It does not mean I have to just give up altogether, it just means I have to work to be better than I am.

GavinFlynn1

I think it’s a mixture for me, which leaves me in control of the rest, should I choose to exercise my control. I have good genetic examples of healthy and “less healthy” in my family tree. I love the cannon quote, and will be stealing it.

imastar2

Just to add to the conversation and expand on what @cakeman21k brought up reminds me that whatever lot in life we drew or inherited does not mean we have to except it as my destiny or destination in life. So what if a persons parents were poor, were rich, were blue collar, had bad habits, or whatever the case may be. We don't have to accept that as our lot in life. We can change and we can figure out what it takes for us to overcome whatever situation we find find ourselves in or be able to rise above it or resolve the issue at hand. Just do it.?