Fighting against Genetics?

jjj1988

My apologies in advance if something like this has already been posted and discussed.

Tonight, my brother and I were talking and I asked him, showing him a picture of Jamie Eason, if he ever thought I'd get even a smidge close to looking like her one day ... and he said no. He said that no matter how hard I workout or how clean I eat, I'm never going to look like her because it's just not in our genes. He said he's stopped trying to get that kind of definition because we were just made to have a little meat on our bones.

My question is this: Do you believe that? Should I really give up my aspiration to even getting ab definition, much less looking even close to what Jamie Eason looks like, no matter how much hard work I put into it? Or do you think you can fight the so called genetics?

My brother wasn't saying this to be mean, he's just being brutally honest, and part of me believes him. I should just focus on being fit and losing my extra weight, but give up on ever getting six pack abs.

Thoughts?

ToughTulip

Genetics isn't as big of a factor as many might think.
You may not look exactly like Jamie because of body structure. Plus it has taken her years to get the body she has now.

But you can strive to be lean and muscular! There is no reason you can't achieve it as long as you work for it.


Oh, and most of the family i grew up around (besides my dad) are all 250-300 pounds. I must have beat genetics lol

withchaco

I don't believe it's impossible. I'm an apple gal and I fully believe even I can attain serious ab definition.

HOWEVER

Due to genetics and other factors, some of us will have to work a LOT harder to get it (and keep it!) than others. I've seen at least one person who got really great abs once, but then decided it wasn't worth the effort required to keep it. If it's that hard, there's a chance that it might not be the healthiest place for your body to be.

I will get there first and see if it's worth the work, whether it's healthy to be that way long-term, etc.

jjj1988

Thanks for the replies, guys.

JesterMFP

You might not have the same basic body shape as her, but I can't imagine your genetics would stop you from getting lean, if you're really dedicated. Prove him wrong.

jjj1988

Well I'm certainly going to try to prove him wrong...for him and for me!

wackyfunster

Genetics only affect how long it takes to reach your goals, and what strategies you need to use to get there, not your ability to achieve them. Anyone can be 'toned' or 'ripped', it is just a function of body fat and skeletal muscle percentage, which are strictly a function of diet and exercise.

Yes, some people are genetically lucky, and can get there more easily, but anyone can do it, and genetics honestly don't play a huge role in weight loss (weight gain, yes, weight loss, no).