Join us as we dive into the fascinating intersection of genetics and personal effort in health and fitness, featuring insights from Dr. Giles Yeo. Learn how understanding your genetic makeup can empower your journey to a healthier self.
My Podcast, "A Piece of Cake," is so closely linked with GreggWallace.Health. I get to interview some incredible people in the health and wellness space, and I learn so much.
We launched the podcast this week, and my first guest was Dr Giles Yeo. Dr Giles lectures on genetics and obesity at Cambridge University. I think it's fair to say the man is an outstanding expert in his field.
There are a number of things I will share with you in my blogs from different experts that appeared on my podcast. This little gem from Dr Giles, I will share with you right now, and it concerns, of course, weight loss.
Genetics do make a difference to our weight loss. Some of us are more inclined to store fat than others. Some of us take a deeper pleasure in food than others. There, I’ve said it—genetics can make a difference. That doesn’t mean, of course, that we can’t do something about it.
The good doctor explained to me that he and I, genetically, are unlikely to ever become world championship quality sprinters. We, that’s he and I, in the way we are built, are unlikely to ever become Olympic standard swimmers.
Sounds reasonable so far, doesn’t it? However, just because we are unlikely to pick up gold at the Olympics doesn’t mean that we can’t be good sprinters; it doesn’t mean that we can’t be pretty good swimmers. We may not lift medals; we are unlikely to compete with the best in the world, but that doesn’t mean to say we can’t be good, in fact very good.
No matter how our bodies are made, no matter how strong our cravings, we can be better than we are; we can be slimmer and healthier than we are.
Talk to Giles, and I can, without doubt, become a good sprinter. The pair of us can become pretty strong and fast swimmers again, not world-class, but pretty good.
He pointed out that all of us have put effort into one aspect of our lives and become pretty good at it. What are you good at? Is it your demanding job? Is it parenting? Is it an activity or a hobby? If you have become very good at any of these, then you have made an effort. You have worked at it. You have put time and effort into it.
The point is, no matter what your metabolism, no matter what genes were passed on to you, you can be, with a bit of effort, slimmer, leaner, healthier than you are now.
At GreggWallace.Health, we make it easier for you to become the better you. It doesn’t matter what your genetics are. If you are prepared to put some effort into it, you will achieve your goals.
Key Takeaways:
The Role of Genetics in Health: Genetics play a significant role in our predispositions towards weight, fitness abilities, and food preferences, but they are not the sole determinants of our health outcomes.
Personal Effort and Adaptability: Despite genetic predispositions, individuals have the capacity to improve their health and fitness levels through dedicated effort, adaptation, and lifestyle choices.
Empowerment Through Knowledge: Understanding your genetic makeup can be empowering, offering insights into personalised approaches to diet, exercise, and overall wellness, reinforcing the idea that you can achieve a healthier lifestyle with the right strategies and support from resources like GreggWallace.Health.
