Genetics are an excuse
After seeing both my parents extended families over the past week I started thinking about genetics and how much they play in our athletic abilities. Both sides of the family are large with mum and dad both having 5 brothers and sisters and that means that I have about 20 odd cousins on each side. So my informal study consisted of about 50 odd people with what should be fairly similar dna.
What became glaringly obvious was that there no direct link as to who was athletic and who wasn’t. Within the 3 generations there was short and tall, skinny and fat. brothers and sisters were as different as chalk and cheese, highly athletic or morbidly obese.
Sure genetics make life easier for some than they do for others, I am not denying that at all. All I am saying is that some people make the most of what they are given…. Some don’t.
Make up you own mind what you do with yours.
February 28, 2009 at 9:38 am
I think genetics onyl are a factor when the amount of work and preparation is similar. The harder you work, the more prepared you are, the better you’ll do. If you keep moving forwards and enjoy your journey you’ll succeed.
February 28, 2009 at 11:02 am
Love this. I am short and was unbelievably skinny as a kid. My genetics suck!
February 28, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I am living proof of this. Great post.
February 28, 2009 at 1:10 pm
So correct! Our genes can play into shape and size, muscle fiber ratios, metabolism etc… and Nurture can affect athletic inclination just as much as Nature- whether one is raised in an active environment, well nourished, given opportunities to participate in sports and have healthy role models.
There are a lot of very valid excuses out there for those who are not taking good care of themselves.
The variable, is whether one chooses to make excuses or just go do something about it… so far in my studies I have not come across any articles on the ‘low motivation gene’.
February 28, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I agree with VT dad.
February 28, 2009 at 1:57 pm
lol, this makes me laugh, because me and my brother are very similar in a lot of ways but apparently his genetics confine him to being almost 20kg heavier than me and in the "Obese" category. i was almost at a similar point 14 months ago before i decided enough was enough!! Just because most of our family, cousins etc are overweight doesnt mean we are condemned to being that way…
I cant wait for the next family gathering when i hear the genetics excuse…..
February 28, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Genetics is just one of the many self-sabotage excuses that are used by people who are not ready to make the change. I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit recently - I feel a blog coming on. lol.
You’re right we all have the choice (and this applies to everything) and what we choose determines our destiny.
February 28, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Yah well my calves are frustratingly small thanks to my genetics. I work them hard but they don’t want to grow. But I will overcome my genetics!