A lot of it depends on the genes. Some people’s bodies are really geared towards storage. Some people have really high metabolisms and not only can eat constantly but must. I have a body that’s geared towards endurance athletics, very little explosion (ie, I don’t do anything fast, can’t jump for crap) but I can keep going and going at anything for basically ever. Did a 54 mile bike ride in July in my 40s and wasn’t even sore, tired and needed to sit for a while and grab some nosh, but no pain. All of which sounds great on paper but in practice it kind of sucks because what it means is I have a very slow metabolism, I don’t burn as many calories in any physical activity as one would expect, and my body stores EVERYTHING. I can eat 2 mid-sized meals a day, no snacks, swim hard for half an hour and gain weight. I either need to do a LOT of exercise everyday, or eat so little I’m painfully hungry. And the math only gets harder as the normal process of aging slows my metabolism even further.
Which is again why the studies are telling us it’s not weight, it’s ability. Outside of the weight and some flexibility issues (working on those) I’m in fantastic shape and if I’ve managed to avoid some of my families other genetic pitfalls I should live to a ripe old age, but I ain’t gonna be skinny while I do it.
You’re a slow muscle type. Those I know like you, have no problem metabolizing food. They have lower body fat.
There are no fat people in my family, so you’re right, genes play a big part, but lets face it. You see people balloon when they get to college, or they work in sedentary jobs.
I used to own a Gold’s gym. women would join to lose wt. Guess what, most gained weight.
You shouldn’t exercise when you’re starting out on a low carb, high protein diet to lose wt.
The bottom line, it is a complex problem, but the American diet, that is rich with bad carbs, (ie processed foods, breads, soda etc), is the biggest culprit here.
I think too, the environment. I’m in West GA. I’ve never seen so many fat Adult II diabetics in one place in my life.