You are born with a genetically pre-determined number of fat cells, but does that mean your wellbeing is already decided and there’s nothing you can do? Can it still possible to lose weight and improve your wellness, when you know that the number of fat cells you have only increase with time?
Experts used to think that you could not gain any more fat cells after adulthood, though the cells themselves could increase in size. However, it is no known that fat cells do both of these things (lucky us!) and they are more likely to do so at certain times and under certain circumstances. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s a genetic fact that you’ll gain weight, because even though some of the reasons your fat cells increase are out of your control, like during pregnancy or puberty, what it comes down to is that existing fat cells increase in size when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure (i.e. you consume more than you burn off) and the excess is stored in the fat cell. When these cells are filled to capacity, new fat cells form so there’s additional storage.
You might think that as you have more fat cells than other people, there’s no point in trying to lose weight. However, this is a myth or excuse which allows you to get off scot-free, but in reality, though you can’t change the number of fat cells you have (without surgery), you can shrink every one of them by changing your lifestyle. If you have more fat cells, this process is certainly more difficult, but it does not mean that weight loss is impossible.
Finally, there is a myth circling about that weight gain is genetic, and inherited by your parents, but even there may be tendencies, there is no such thing as a fat gene that is passed down from generation to generation. The only thing you get from your parents is your attitude towards food and living in general. You haven’t been designed to be a fat family; you have learned to act as your parents have. Again, it’s an excuse not to try to lose weight. Don’t cling to it, but take control of your body. Anyone has power to achieve the weight they want, no matter your cells or genes.
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