Filling Out My Skinny Genes

NOTE: this is by no means a Whining or Woe-Is-Me Post. Not one bit. It's more of a Personal Wake Up Post that is the culmination of many things, namely the development of love handles and knee bags.

For 25 years of my life I was able to take advantage of the skinny genes that run in my family. By "take advantage" I mean, eat whatever the heck I wanted without an addition to the bottom line. Boy, did I abuse those genes.

Now, before you think that this means I didn't have self image issues, please also know that there were only about 3 years during which I semi-embraced this state. Most of the time prior to this was spent in a perpetual state of gawkward (gawky + awkward). I mean really, I made a stick figure look voluptuous. I was less D.J. and more Kimmy in appearance, if you know what I mean. You don't get the nickname Olive Oyl based on a shapely figure.

Then I got hips that could be termed 'child-bearing' and upon which you could probably hang your coat.

And that's about where it stopped developmentally. I'm still waiting for puberty to kick in on the upper half, hoping I'm just a late bloomer. Oh well.

Where was I?

Oh right, gawkward, but eating whatever I want. It had it's benefits at times, namely Thanksgiving and Christmas when MawMaw made pot roast. My Mom would always tell me that one day I would be grateful.

And I am.

But here's the thing about skinny genes, they catch up with you. I think the slide began around 25. It's not much that maybe some would notice because my height spreads it out a bit, but my metabolism has definitely changed. My size has changed. My shape has changed. Enough to make me take note at least. And I haven't even had kids yet!

I've outgrown my skinny genes.

People with skinny genes are at a high risk for being incredibly unhealthy. There's such a thing as skinny-fat. I'm serious. I mean, I don't have the science to prove it, but I think you run a higher risk of going through your fitness and health life without understanding the consequences because they're not immediately visible. One day you wake up and you realize that because you were spoiled in this manner, you never cultivated discipline when it came to eating and exercise.

This is where I am and why I started doing Bodypump. I've been doing it for the past couple of months or so faithfully and I'm really noticing a difference! Over the past few years I am thankful that I finally learned how to eat healthy. Do I have a lot of discipline in the area? Nope. Still developing. Do I enjoy Bodypump? Hmm...I think I enjoy knowing that it will help, but that's about it.

I don't really know why I'm writing this post except to state my position at the moment or maybe because I wanted to use the term 'skinny genes'. Again, this isn't intended to be a lament, but more of a coming to terms with where I am. For those of you that have struggled with weight and thought my little diatribe is small potatoes, I get it. I know that I know nothing about truly battling weight issues. And to all those that are perpetually waiting for the metabolic tide to turn on a previously labeled 'skinny' person, here you go. I'll be your whipping post.

So I'm letting out my skinny genes and exchanging for more of a relaxed fit.

Is 29 too old to possibly be a late bloomer? I'm still holding on to that hope no matter what you tell me.