Defeating the Fat Gene

A recent study looked at whether it's possible to fight the effects of the "fat gene" - a genetic component that makes some people gain weight more easily. I've often wondered whether I have this gene, but I suspect that's because I'm looking for a new excuse to offer for not paying attention to my weight: "it's not my fault I'm fat; my genes did it!"

This particular study focused on the Amish community. I guess the premise is that because of the amount of physical activity that's factored into their days, they would make a good group to study in order to see whether being active helps fight the genetic effect. The good news: it does. The bad news: fighting it requires 3-4 hours of physical activity each day.

I can look at a study like this and be discouraged. As it is, I struggle to fit in even an hour of exercise every day. I could probably squeeze in another 30 minutes if I tried, either by sneaking in a walk on my lunch hour or postponing dinner briefly while I walk around the neighborhood. But I get overwhelmed when I think about trying to come up with 2 to 3 more hours of exercise day in and day out.

On the other hand, the study holds some promise. For one thing, it is possible to combat the effects of a gene that otherwise would relegate people to a life of being overweight. For another, the 3-4 hours of activity doesn't have to mean we spend that entire amount of time "working out." All kinds of things count: walking to the mailbox, gardening, cleaning the house. Basically, anything that gets your heart beating and your body moving. In fact, it makes me wonder: how much activity am I already getting, and how hard would it be to add more? At work I sit at a desk much of the day, but I bet I could easily increase my activity level: Deliver a few messages in person instead of by email. Take the long way walking to the bus stop. Walk a mile to the store instead of driving. If I do more of these things, I have a feeling I'd get more exercise into my life - and fight the fat whether or not I have the fat gene.

Going Bananas?

There's a new diet craze that's apparently sweeping across Japan: the bananas diet. As I understand it, the idea is to replace breakfast each day with bananas and water. The diet has become popular, at least in part, because of a celebrity who has lost weight on the plan. Somehow it all feels familiar. Almost like every other fad diet I've heard of. I seem to recall a grapefruit diet; wasn't that supposed to be fat-burning or some such thing?

Here's my frustration with these diets: they promise great results, usually quickly, and sometimes they even deliver. But they're not sustainable for the long term. Think about it for a minute: do you really want to eat bananas for breakfast for the rest of your life? Or even for several weeks? And that's the problem. I need a plan I can stick with for a long time to come, probably years. I need a lifestyle, not a diet. And I need at least a little variety. Bananas are just fine, and there are some great nutritional benefits to including them as part of a larger healthy diet. But as far as I'm concerned, this bananas diet is nothing to go ape about.