HEY!!!! It is not just genetics!

Me!!! Ready to pop, with my fitness clothes on, headed back to teach a class!

A few months postpartum, right after a workout!

I was at the indoor swimming pool in our area dropping my older son off for swim lessons about a year ago and the lady behind the desk commented on how good I looked pregnant!  I was 9 months pregnant at the time and she told me, "You're lucky you have such good genetics, I blew up like I house when I was pregnant!"

While I was proud (most of the time) of how I looked throughout my pregnancy, I worked HARD 

for that body. 

I proceeded to let the women know that I had taught fitness classes right up until 4 weeks before I gave birth.  Not only did I maintain a strict 5am workout schedule throughout my pregnancy, (Through morning sickness, fatigue, and all the aches and panes that come along with pregnancy), but I returned to exercising and teaching as soon as I felt my body was ready (about 6 weeks postpartum after my c-section).

Again she said "Yeah, it's genetic."

I was kind of offended. Why couldn't my hard work be validated? Not everyone in my family is in excellent shape, those who are eat healthy and workout 5-6 days a week.

Unless keeping a strict workout schedule is genetic, my body is absolutely the product of the work and food that I put into it. Whether it be diet or exercise, my lifestyle makes my healthy body what it is.

Do we have a propensity toward the same circumstances as our parents and grandparents?

Absolutely. However, we also have the ability to change that! For instance, if you're family is prone to heart disease, it's extra important to pay attention to your cardiovascular health. If diabetes runs in your family, pay attention to how much sugar is in your diet. Substance abuse, cancer, you name it, we all have someone in our past with some kind of disease or illness.

We are also all given the freedom of choice. You can look at your parents and say "Oh, they're unhealthy so I'm automatically going to be unhealthy too." Or you can change your genetic make-up. 

You can eat healthy, workout, get your behavior in check. You make your priorities, not your parents, not your grandparents. We can make an excuse for absolutely everything. 

It's not luck. It's hard work. And dedication. And commitment to making healthy choices on a daily basis for me and my family. 

I'm more than genetics... & so are you!

xoxo

-e