Can't change your genetics..............

ninerbuff
ninerbuff Posts: 49,060 Member
edited January 6 in Motivation and Support
So I've been PM'd a few times from members asking my how they can get their big calves to be smaller, how to "slim" down their hips, how to get a longer leaner muscles, etc. and instead of just answering them directly, I'd share what I know with others.

You CAN'T change your genetics with exercise or dieting. Though you can change your muscle size (via building/catabolization) the actual shape has already been genetically predisposed. Same with muscle length due insertion, hip width due to bone structure, and how your calves look.

Point being, you can't look like your favorite movie star, if you don't have their structure. So take what you have, and make it the best that you can.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Replies

  • Momwasix
    Momwasix Posts: 623 Member
    so if i got thunder thighs are you saying accept it?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,060 Member
    so if i got thunder thighs are you saying accept it?
    You can reduce their size through calorie deficit, but if your quads are big naturally, they're going to be big even with fat loss.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    He is saying you can make those thunder thighs smaller and firmer, but they will essentially be the same shape.

    I have "thunder thighs" too. When I am at a healthy weight, my thighs will still be bigger in proportion to the rest of my body because they are my "problem area", where I carry most of my excess weight, because that's how I'm shaped.
  • Momwasix
    Momwasix Posts: 623 Member
    so if i got thunder thighs are you saying accept it?
    You can reduce their size through calorie deficit, but if your quads are big naturally, they're going to be big even with fat loss.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition


    So not what i wanted to hear lol. ;(
  • Momwasix
    Momwasix Posts: 623 Member
    He is saying you can make those thunder thighs smaller and firmer, but they will essentially be the same shape.

    I have "thunder thighs" too. When I am at a healthy weight, my thighs will still be bigger in proportion to the rest of my body because they are my "problem area", where I carry most of my excess weight, because that's how I'm shaped.

    Are you pear shape like me?
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    Are you pear shape like me?

    That's what the body shape calculators say, but I am working with a larger-than-average bust and linebacker shoulders, so I'm pretty sure I qualify as an hourglass :ohwell:

    Bonus of being a pear is that you are less prone to heart disease/diabetes since we don't carry our weight around our stomachs/lungs/heart, reportedly. :flowerforyou:
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    Are you pear shape like me?

    That's what the body shape calculators say, but I am working with a larger-than-average bust and linebacker shoulders, so I'm pretty sure I qualify as an hourglass :ohwell:

    Bonus of being a pear is that you are less prone to heart disease/diabetes since we don't carry our weight around our stomachs/lungs/heart, reportedly. :flowerforyou:
    I've always thought of myself as "pear-shaped" because I don't have a small waist nor am I well-endowed enough where it counts, but I do have linebacker shoulders along with carrying most of my weight in my thighs. ::sigh:: With work, I can make them smaller and firmer but they'll always be the biggest part of me. I thank the clothing industry for finally realizing that many women are "curvy" and making pants to fit. And it's a good thing my husband loves me the way that I am!
  • PriceK01
    PriceK01 Posts: 834 Member
    I have wide hips and there's no way around it. It's my bone structure. Even when skin and bone, there they were. My family would tease me saying that I disappeared when turned sideways, but coming/going all you could see was my wide hips.
  • yocando
    yocando Posts: 101 Member
    I will always have unsightly legs.... I have been fit as a fiddle and my legs just aren't that great.
    I carry weight in them.
    If I lost 25 pounds, I'd feel better about it... but it's a sad reality that my genetics gave me a raw deal.
    I run, swim, do hot yoga, on and on... my legs are just not pretty.
    I'm tone everywhere...and definitely in shape...but it's a tough thing I've had to accept.
    My struggle with weight loss makes it even more difficult to accept.
    Painful reality!
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I have wide hips and there's no way around it. It's my bone structure. Even when skin and bone, there they were. My family would tease me saying that I disappeared when turned sideways, but coming/going all you could see was my wide hips.

    I have wide hips too and a small waist, and have always been like that no matter what my size. Hey, I don't mind too much, I've had 2 babies naturally and not even needed stitches, so these hips have been good for something!

    I also have big calves and although they have got smaller, they are still bigger than I would like.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,060 Member
    If you have wide hips you can give the illusion of a more hour glass figure by increasing the size of your deltoids. A "wider" shoulder look increases the illusion of an hour glass figure.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    I agree. I have always had slim calves and they don't get bigger even when my thighs do so I look funny when my thighs have gotten bigger. I just have to work on keeping my thighs slim in order to look proportional. Meh
  • monty619
    monty619 Posts: 1,308 Member
    good thing i got perfect genetics =P
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    good thing i got perfect genetics =P

    Your eyebrows look kind of high. Sorry :p
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    If you have wide hips you can give the illusion of a more hour glass figure by increasing the size of your deltoids. A "wider" shoulder look increases the illusion of an hour glass figure.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    I also have wide shoulders and big boobs, so an hourglass :smile: I'm quite happy with my shape, I just want my belly to be smaller!
  • johloz
    johloz Posts: 176 Member
    Yes! Thank-you for this. I keep telling people, but of course people who have no education or experience in fitness will argue.

    I have thick arms, thick legs, and a big butt. I can lose some fat there, sure. But they will be big. So I can either have big fat arms, legs, and butt, or I can work out and have big strong arms, legs, and butt.

    And no matter what your genetically determined body shape is, a fit body is always a sexy body.
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    So take what you have, and make it the best that you can.

    Yep, I like this and this is what I have been doing for years...some more successfully than others ; )
  • runner2runner
    runner2runner Posts: 1,937 Member
    True that. I have lean legs and even though they're firm and toned from running, they'll never get any bigger than they are now due to genetics. We have to learn to accept our bodies the way they are and accept that there are certain parts of them that we can't change. I've learned to accept my skinny legs over the years, as hard as it's been.
  • KhinoHoang
    KhinoHoang Posts: 59
    True that. I have lean legs and even though they're firm and toned from running, they'll never get any bigger than they are now due to genetics. We have to learn to accept our bodies the way they are and accept that there are certain parts of them that we can't change. I've learned to accept my skinny legs over the years, as hard as it's been.

    Well.... I mean... they won't get bigger if you don't increase your calories, and certainly won't get bigger if most of your workouts are cardio. You seem to be a runner, not a body builder. Have you tried to put on weight, lift heavy and skip cardio sessions?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,060 Member
    True that. I have lean legs and even though they're firm and toned from running, they'll never get any bigger than they are now due to genetics. We have to learn to accept our bodies the way they are and accept that there are certain parts of them that we can't change. I've learned to accept my skinny legs over the years, as hard as it's been.
    Well they probably would if you trained them to get bigger. Running doesn't get them bigger. That comes from progressive overload training with high volume and a calorie surplus.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • MensEtSalvere2013
    MensEtSalvere2013 Posts: 230 Member
    Someone once told me that "you cannot control your biology, but you can control your destiny." With that being said, I think that's true. As of right now I am down 64 pounds since my higest weight. I still carry a lot of weight in my midsection but I am starting to see more of an hourglass shape and I am happy :).
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