What’s the Connection Between Obesity and Genetics?

It is important to understand that there is a strong connection between obesity and genetics even though eating too much or exercising too little is often the main cause of obesity.

• How likely it is for someone to become obese.
• How hard they need to work to not be obese.

Those with a family history of obesity do not need to despair, however, because you can overcome the link between obesity and genetics.

Studies performed on families, and particularly twins and individuals who have been adopted, have shown that there is a correlation between obesity and genetics.

These similarities include:

• Weight maintenance.
• The amount of effort needed to maintain an appropriate body weight.

So should you figure you are doomed to be heavy because your parents are obese, or you have a family history of obesity. No!

Changes in behavior can help you overcome your genetic predisposition to be heavy.

You can break the obesity and genetics connection.

In the long run, weight is still gained by consuming more calories than you burn.

Whether it's in your genes or not, if you focus on a lifestyle that burns more calories than you consume, you can maintain a healthy weight and overcome obesity.

• Incorporate a proven, complete nutritional program into your daily life.
• Enhance your nutritional program with a complete mutivitamin supplement because no nutritional program is perfect.
• Use a behavior modification and motivational program that will help you stay on track with your nutritional plan.
• Exercise at home with your own:
  Treadmill

  Stairstepper

  Exercise bike

  Elliptical trainer

  Hand weights or

  An aerobic video.

• See what kinds of weight loss aids your health insurance covers such as:
  Hypnotism

  Gym membership discounts

  Nutritional counseling.

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Park at the back of the parking lot.
• Go for a bike ride.
• Take up a new sport.
• Exercise with a friend.
• Exercise 30 minutes a day three to four days a week.
• Walk when running close by errands instead of driving.
• Schedule activities with others to help you stick to them.
• Sign up for an exercise class.
• If you have joint problems, try swimming for exercise.
• Consider hiring a personal trainer.
• Instead of playing a video game or watching a movie, head outside to get some exercise.
• Join a gym or fitness center.
• Track how much you exercise on a calendar so you can feel motivated by your progress.
• Discover a new fruit.
• Try a new vegetable.
• Use low-fat salad dressings.
• Limit your desserts to special occasions.
• Watch your portion sizes.
• Eat well-balanced meals.
• Avoid eating just before bed.
• Give up high calorie soft drinks and juices.
• Limit alcohol intake, which is high in calories.
• Watch how much cream and sugar you put in your coffee, or how many high calorie coffee drinks you consume.
• Don't even keep high calorie snacks in the house.
• Stock the refrigerator and pantry with healthy snacks.
• Call a friend instead of comfort eating when you feel down.
• Don't eat in front of the television.

All of these tips will get you started on your journey.

Even if genetics is playing a part in your weight issues, you can overcome it!

Now is the time to start losing weight.

Will you start right now?