Eliminate The Guesswork For Getting To And Maintaining A Healthy Weight With HomeDNA™
This post is sponsored by Lipton Publicity and HomeDNA™ but all opinions are mine alone.
On a cold winter's day about 7 weeks ago I decided to take a scientifically-based weight- management test that identifies your unique genetic makeup and provides diet and exercise strategies specifically tailored to your genotype. I feel like I have been running around like a hamster in a hamster wheel exhausting myself with tons of exercise and trying to get enough protein into my diet with once again----zero results except a tired exhausted Samantha still wearing the same size of clothing.
I had partnered with HomeDNA™ before to learn about my skin and create the perfect customized perfect skin care regime for me and have really loved the results so I knew I was in excellent hands with this program.
Read about my skin care DNA experience here.
I am willing to do the hard work--but at this point was intrigued and excited to get some help with a personalized diet and training plans based on my test's findings--and NOT pay an arm and a leg for it. Who wouldn't want nutrition and fitness recommendations that work best for your body?! They claim they can help people make more meaningful lifestyle changes to help them get stronger, fitter, faster and healthier and that to actually get the results you want you have to be able to know what will work for you. Weight loss is not one-size-fits-all--I know that for sure.
Sounds pretty fabulous, right? I thought so, too, which is why I was so excited to dig into my results when they showed up online a few weeks ago. But before getting into those findings—and exploring the science in the field—it’s important to understand how the testing itself works.
While we can’t change our genes, we can change our behaviors to take advantage of what our genes say about our bodies.
We all know that everyone inherits genetic material from both their mother and their father, which becomes a unique chemical blueprint, called DNA. This DNA makes up our more than 20,000 genes, which each carry instructions for a single protein, that together determine how we look and how our bodies function. All of our genes are gathered into 23 chromosome pairs, found in almost every cell in our bodies. Genetic tests typically look at specific chromosomes, genes or proteins, and changes or mutations that occur within them, to make determinations about disease or disease risk, body processes or physical traits. Direct-to-consumer tests, which are conducted outside of the medical setting, use cells found in the saliva to reach these results.
HomeDNA™ maps genes and their variants. Healthy Weight uses DNA analysis to provide a roadmap of your genes that are specifically connected to diet and exercise. You will receive insights about your body that have never before been available. This report also gives direction on how to potentially optimize your health and well-being with this knowledge. No more trial and error!
BODY TRAITS ANALYZED This report provides results in four key areas that can affect the way your body looks and feels: 1. Weight Loss Ability 2. Food 3. Nutrients 4. Response to Exercise Your analyzed genotype results are followed by a detailed explanation of and success strategy for each of these four categories. Some of the results are directly related to weight loss efforts from diet and exercise. Others are relevant because they can affect how you feel and how your body functions optimally, and so can affect your performance and your efforts to manage your body weight.
HOW RESULTS ARE DETERMINED We provide a genetic analysis that indicates which gene combinations you have in each category. You receive a rating based on our calculated score for each trait in a category. Some categories only have one gene associated with that trait; other categories have several genes associated with that trait. Our calculated score reflects the potential combined influences from one or more genes.
LEVERAGING THE LATEST RESEARCH We use the largest and most scientifically valid genome-wide association studies to calculate a score for the different genes or gene combinations. Healthy Weight maintains a continually updated research database, and their analyses are modified as new and better research becomes available. They have carefully selected the best available research upon which to base their analysis and recommendations.
YOUR REPORT SHOWS YOU: They use the largest and most scientifically valid genome-wide association studies to calculate a score for the different genes or gene combinations. Healthy Weight maintains a continually updated research database, and their analyses are modified as new and better research becomes available. They have carefully selected the best available research upon which to base their analysis and recommendations. • What your genotypes suggest about your ability to lose weight and body fat in response to different types of diets and exercise programs.
Sooooo cool, right?!!!
In my case, they revealed that my genetic profile indicated that my weight loss ability is below average. This does not mean that I cannot lose weight for a diet and exercise program. It just means that, compared to other people with a different genotype, I may lose slightly less weight or body fat than those with a more favorable genotype who are following a similar program. (and I totally knew this so it was so nice to confirm it...)
In my case, they revealed that cardio is a great choice for me however, my genetic profile indicated that my fat loss response to cardio exercise 3 days per week while working out at a moderate-to-high intensity is low so I really need to up my already strenuous time consuming cardio routine. For optimal fat and weight loss results from exercise, I really need to aim for five (5) or more days per week of cardio exercise for a total of at least 300 minutes per week. I also need to incorporate cardio interval training where I alternate very intense bursts of activity with intervals of exercise at a more moderate intensity. It was also recommended to include muscle-strengthening exercises 2-3 days per week. Good thing I started pilates.
My genotype also suggests I might benefit most from sticking to moderate intensity workouts. Therefore, I might see better fitness results from longer endurance workouts. I need to aim for more moderate-intensity cardio workouts on four (4) or more days per week that last longer over time. I may want to consider training for an endurance event like a charity bike race but that is like never happening you guys.
Anyone exhausted for me yet? Genes are so unfair.
Thanks mom and dad.
When it comes to diet and nutrition, my results revealed that I have what is called an “increased obesity risk”. I also have alleles that are likely to make me eat more, feel hungry soon after a meal and crave fattier foods than someone without this allele. Sound familiar?
According to HomeDNA, about 40 percent of people have the same genotype as me, and another 14 percent have two “increased obesity risk” alleles—more than half the population combined. To counteract this finding, he told me, I should count calories and eat four or five small meals a day to keep my natural cravings in check, and make sure that I’m burning off more than I’m consuming.
My genotype suggests that I may have a better response to a weight-loss diet if daily calories come from the following proportions of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. (Complex carbs 40-50%--healthy fats 25-35%--and lean protein 25-30%. ) . Based on my gender, age, height, current weight and current activity level, they recommend a diet of approximately 1,483 calories per day to lose weight. This number was calculated estimating my total energy expenditure, or the number of calories my body needs each day. Since I am interested in losing weight, I will need to eat fewer calories than my total energy expenditure. They suggest a modest calorie reduction of 20 percent.
They provided me with an exercise plan and a meal plan too .
My genetic testing results along with my targeted plan actually motivated me to make some changes that proved beneficial.
For the past month-plus, instead of spinning three or four times per week killing myself and lifting weights either once or not at all, I’ve flipped my schedule, and have spent most of my exercise time sweating through a seemingly endless number of squats, TRX, barre, and pilates work, and pushups in high-intensity interval and weight training sessions. I am in love with cardio pilates and strength training. I still love spin but needed to switch things up!
I am happy to report that I have dropped about five pounds, lost two inches from my waist and one percentage of body fat, and that’s all without making any significant changes to my diet. I have to admit I have actually been a tad terrible with my eating the last two weeks. I feel so much stronger—I can lift heavier weights, hold a plank for longer and do more full push-ups than I used to be able to do. My body is starting to look toned finally and the intense cardio is getting easier because I am stronger.
It's so nice to be off the hamster wheel!!!
So when you order your kit, it will contain the following.
Easy-to-follow instructions
Cheek swabs for DNA collection ( yes, you get to have your Law & Order SVU moment)
Postage-paid envelope for returning samples to the lab (U.S. customers only)
Results Back:
Just 6 weeks from receipt of samples at the lab
Due to state regulations, currently not available in New York and Maryland though.
And I am so excited that HomeDNA has teamed up with me to offer an amazing promo to my readers. The kit is normally $119 but you can get it for only $69 through April 30th using promo code HW50. That's fifty bucks off dears!!!!
Click here to get started and take back control of your life!!!!
Cannot wait to hear from you once you get your results back and make those changes!!!!
