The Biology of Weight Gain

As you very well know, weight loss is hard work that requires dedication and organization—but, conversely, weight gain is easy and requires almost no effort. But why?

Packing on the kilos is easy because it doesn’t take much effort to indulge your sweet tooth or need for pizza. And it takes no effort at all to remain stuck on the couch instead of going out for a jog.  But eating poorly and being lazy aren’t the only reasons weight gain is a breeze; biology actually play a major role in body shape and size and everyone’s genetic code is different. The main reason why gaining weight is easy and losing weight is difficult is human biology:

• Age: The older you get, the slower your metabolism. This means that as you age, your body is not able to process your caloric intake at the rate that it used to. Think about it. How often do you hear people lamenting that they can’t eat the way that they did when they were 25? Aging also leads to a decrease in physical activity.  This means that people gain weight easier and have a harder time shedding it as the body’s systems become less efficient.
• Genes: Your genetic code determines your body’s size, shape and weight. If you have a larger bone structure and a naturally muscular frame, no matter how hard you try, you will not be able to achieve the same rail-thin look as a runway model. Each body is built differently and many body types carry weight easier and thus lose weight more slowly. Certain medical conditions, like thyroid disorders, can also lead to uncontrollable weight gain that is nearly impossible to lose. Genes, then, play a vital role in the weight gain and loss process.

Yes, biology plays a fundamental role in determining your physical body’s weight and shape, and aging slows down your body’s built-in weight control mechanism. But this shouldn’t be an excuse to resign yourself to obesity. You can take control of your body and your weight by engaging in regular exercise and healthy eating. Keep in mind, however, that, as mentioned above, your body type is the body type that you are stuck with and you can’t turn it into something it is not. Weight loss, then, should not be about achieving some perfect physical ideal, but about keeping your body healthy. You’ve got it…healthy is the keyword here. Being healthy does not mean you have to be skin and bones skinny and it does not mean that you have to have the figure of an Olympic athlete. Maintaining a healthy weight means that your body is functioning the way it should and that you feel good about yourself. So get yourself moving and eating right and get yourself feeling good!

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