I’m the third of four boys. My mother, my uncles, and my grandparents from my mother’s side are all obese. The theory that obesity is genetic fits in well and is somewhat comforting.
At the time of this post, and over the last 6 years, I haven’t gained any weight. By simply chewing my food properly; 50 chews per bite, o every snack, every meal of every day. I find it mind-boggling that everyone in my family is reluctant to even try this method despite my weight loss and achievements. Their own eyes have seen me transform into an obese-free person!
If you’re like me, you may have struggled with obesity for much of your life, with no explanation as to why. For years, I assumed my weight issues were a consequence of genetics—I simply had no control over my own body. But I was wrong.
After years of struggling to get my weight under control, I finally decided to look into the reasons why I was overweight. Through my research, I discovered that my obesity was not genetic, but rather the result of lifestyle choices.
I realized that the food I was eating, the lack of physical activity, and the stress I was enduring all played a role in the weight gain I was experiencing. It was no longer a matter of genetics, but rather a combination of factors.
I began to make healthier choices with my diet, I started exercising regularly, and I began to find ways to reduce stress in my life. It took a while, but I eventually started to see results. I lost a significant amount of weight and felt better than ever.
If you’re struggling with obesity, I want you to know that it’s not an inevitable consequence of genetics. You can take control of your health and make the necessary changes to achieve the results you want. Don’t let genetics be an excuse for not improving your health.
Take the time to research the causes of obesity and make the changes needed to improve your health and wellbeing. You can do it—I know I did!
In families, obesity appears to be a subtle learned habit.
Faisal Ghaiah
