Is Weight Loss Ruled by Calories or Genetics? Neither!

Which is it? Does our genetic makeup ultimately determine whether we will be able to lose weight and keep it off? Or does it all come down to the number of calories we take in and the number we burn daily? Is it really all calories? Or are we totally at the mercy of our personal chemistry?

The simplest answer is that genetic disposition affects our tendency to gain weight much more than our ability to lose it. And it plays a big role in where our body stores the fat, which is why some people gain more belly fat, while others gain more in the hips or thighs.

Short of a few people with true disorders, it is difficult for almost everyone to lose weight and keep it off, especially as we get older. Of course, the quality and type of food we eat, the amount of calories we eat and the amount of exercise we get play a big factor in our weight. But so do our stress levels, the chemicals we are exposed to, our psychology and the times of day when we eat.

Here are some interesting points about our human tendencies toward obesity:

Obesity was rare worldwide before the 1900's In 1997 the World Health Organization recognized obesity as an epidemicIt is likely that 'genetic predisposition' figures less in this trend of growing obesity than a worldwide change in diet and an increase in sedentary lifestylesOther than healthier diet and exercise, historically little has been found that can create and maintain weight loss for an extended period of time, short of surgery or disease

So, if genetics plays less of a role in weight gain than a bad diet and a sedentary lifestyle, then we must simply reduce our caloric intake (diet) and increase our caloric expenditure (exercise) if we want to have a chance at losing weight. Or is there more to it? Recent discoveries have modified the longstanding prescription to eat less and exercise more if you want to lose weight, although both are still healthy choices.

Try using some of these newer tools in the weight loss battle:

Timing: Eating specific food types, such as proteins, at one time and other food types, such as carbohydrates, at other times, when done correctly can increase metabolism and result in weight loss without a change in total caloric intakeFood Additives: Some common food additives have been shown to increase bodily fat storage, removing them can reduce fat storage without a change in total caloric intakeSafe Herbs: There may be safe herbal supplements that can be used over a long period of time without side effects, which lead to mild weight reduction without a change in caloric intake.Interval Training: Small amounts of interval training exercises can increase metabolic rate for hours after the exercise much more effectively than large amounts of 'cardio' exercises can. This means less exercise yields greater fat loss results.Muscle Mass: To a certain extent, exercises that build muscle mass can also increase the metabolic rate and create an overall higher caloric burn than straight cardio.

The final word is that, though genetics are somewhat of a factor, caloric intake and expenditure are a much bigger one in weight loss. The newest discoveries show us that we can lose weight and keep it off by eating wisely with little overall reduction in caloric intake --but use moderation-- and by simple adjustments to the type of exercise taken.

Cody Cross is a passionate researcher of fat and weight loss techniques including the 7 Day Belly Blast Diet. He runs successful websites dedicated to exposing the strengths and weaknesses of various weight and fat loss programs. To get great free tips and many more details on this program, go to Cody's site here: 7DayBellyBlastReview.net

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