Your true body shape?

"dpa2004" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've heard that genetics plays an integral role in the shape of a body
when lifting weights.

Is this true? If so, what does this mean exactly?

Are we all not designed to have a "model" body?

It means that genetics will help determine what muscle "shape" you have,
while working out will help you modify the size, it won't change the shape
(i.e. attachment points). Genetics can also play a large part in how
certain muscles respond to training (i.e. some people don't have to do
direct calf work to see gains while others will struggle for years for just
a small gain.)

HTH

dpa2004 said:

I've heard that genetics plays an integral role in the shape of a
body when lifting weights.

Is this true? If so, what does this mean exactly?

Yes, your genetics has a lot to do not only with how you respond to
weight training, but how your muscles look as they get bigger.

For example, no matter how much you lift you can't change where your
muscles and tendons attach to the bones. Things like biceps "peak" in
many cases is determined by muscle attachments and whether you have
muscles with long or short "bellies"

Quoted message said:

Are we all not designed to have a "model" body?

Our bodies are different in much the same way that our faces are
different. Some people are just inherently more attractive than
others. However, that doesn't mean that it's not worthwhile trying to
look as good as your genetics allow. If you add some muscle and lower
your body fat you are very likely to look better than nearly everyone
that doesn't work out (especially over the long haul).

Besides, deadlifting beats crying about being ugly all to pieces. I
know, I have done both 🙂.

Jason

Do our genetics also determine the amount of fat we can lose in our
bodies, as well?

I know I easily gain weight, but losing it is quite difficult. My
weight has fluctuated quite a bit this past year from 112 lbs last year
(which was constant for 2 years), increasing to 128 lbs in May, down to
120 lbs in Sept. and now 125 lbs.

I'm not sure if my weight is fluctuating due to the foods I eat or due
to stress.

"dpa2004" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Do our genetics also determine the amount of fat we can lose in our
bodies, as well?

They don't determine what you CAN lose, but some factors will effect how
hard/easy it is.

Quoted message said:

I know I easily gain weight, but losing it is quite difficult. My
weight has fluctuated quite a bit this past year from 112 lbs last year
(which was constant for 2 years), increasing to 128 lbs in May, down to
120 lbs in Sept. and now 125 lbs.

I'm not sure if my weight is fluctuating due to the foods I eat or due
to stress.

IMHO people tend to put too much emphasis on their weight when what really
concerns them is their fat. You can be gaining weight while losing fat
(though admittedly not easy unless you're a newbie). It's pretty common for
people to start an exercise/nutrition program and when the scale doesn't go
down they get discouraged. Depending upon the fitness/health level of a
person, they could put on some muscle pretty easily at the begining which
makes them think their not making progess.

As far as your specific weight fluctuations, there are many factors which
could explain it (i.e. water weight, just ate a meal, etc). 112-128 is
certainly a big swing but you've been 120-128 over the last 9 months which
could easily be just measurement inconsistencies and not an actual weight
change. Even if your weight has changed, has your bodyfat % changed?

It's really too hard to say what's a correct "weight range" for you, some
people stay pretty consistent, some people can fluctuate +/- and that's
normal for them.

If I was you, I'd figure out what my goals are, then set up a plan to reach
that goal in a managable/realistic timeframe. Work towards the goal and
remember everyone's underlying goal should be to live a healthy/happy life,
don't feel bad/stress about a few pounds.

HTH

In article <[email hidden]>,

dpa2004 said:

I've heard that genetics plays an integral role in the shape of a body
when lifting weights.

Is this true?

How could it no be? think about it.

--
Will Brink @ http://www.brinkzone.com/

"dpa2004" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I've heard that genetics plays an integral role in the shape of a body
when lifting weights.

Is this true? If so, what does this mean exactly?

Are we all not designed to have a "model" body?

I'll remind you that most photographs of models that you see have been
stretched and/or airbrushed, so that in fact, even the model doesn't have
the "model" body.

Some people can lift big weight, some people have legs a mile long. Gotta
go with your strengths - to paraphrase another poster (JE), Maximize your
genetic potential.

S.

--
There's nothing scarier than a soybean wielding a chainsaw. -- Lucas Buck

dpa2004 said:

I've heard that genetics plays an integral role in the shape of a body
when lifting weights.

Is this true? If so, what does this mean exactly?

Are we all not designed to have a "model" body?

Some of us are 7.5' tall.

Some of us are 5' tall.

Et cetera.

On 27 Feb 2005 11:46:43 -0800, "dpa2004" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Are we all not designed to have a "model" body?

My body is modeled after a 1958 Ford Edsel.