Genetics, Weight Loss and What's Really Holding You Back
Your genetics didn't make you overweight; your habits did. Discover how breaking generational eating patterns and building sustainable lifestyle habits can transform your body at any age on this episode of Get Sculpted.
If you've ever blamed your genetics for why you can't lose weight or build muscle, this episode is about to flip everything you thought you knew on its head.
In this episode of Get Sculpted, we tackle one of the biggest excuses holding women back from their body goals: "It's just my genetics." This episode is equal parts wake-up call and compassionate truth-telling because when it comes to genetics and weight loss, what you've inherited from your family isn't the life sentence you think it is. The real story is about breaking generational patterns that have been passed down for decades, and we get brutally honest about how your habits, not your DNA, are what's actually running the show.
We share stories about the generational behavioral patterns we grew up with, like being forced to finish everything on your plate, exercise as punishment for being fat, emotional eating as comfort, scarcity mindsets around food, and how these conditioning patterns masquerade as "genetics." We break down why women over 40 and mothers especially, struggle with these inherited habits and what it actually takes to overcome emotional eating, break the diet cycle, and build the body you want, regardless of your age or family history. Whether you're dealing with PCOS weight loss challenges, insulin resistance, and diet struggles, or you've simply accepted that "the women in my family aren't meant to be skinny," this episode will give you permission to rewrite your story and practical tools to start building generational health that ends the cycle for good.
Here's what we cover:
Why "it's just my genetics" is actually about habits you learned, not DNA you inherited
The powerful truth – genetics loads the gun, but your lifestyle pulls the trigger
Generational eating patterns that sabotage your goals (finish your plate, scarcity mindsets, food as reward)
How immigrant families and scarcity experiences create overcompensation with food
Breaking the conditioning that exercise is punishment instead of empowerment
Why emotional eating and stress-eating patterns get passed down through families
The difference between genetic predisposition and learned behaviour that you can change
Real client story – overcoming PCOS and insulin resistance through lifestyle to avoid gestational diabetes
How a 65-year-old woman broke 50 years of dieting, starving, and binging cycles
Why you can build muscle and get lean at any age, regardless of your family history
The identity shift from "I'm not one of those skinny people" to "I'm someone who takes care of my body"
When you know better, you do better, giving yourself permission to break the cycle
This episode is the wake up call you didn't know you needed to stop blaming your DNA and start owning your choices. It's a reminder that breaking generational patterns isn't just about your body, but about becoming the first generation in your family to build generational health that your kids or loved ones can learn from. You're not stuck with what you inherited. You can build what you want to become.
“When you take the power back and recognize, like, I have adopted these habits and way of thinking and these eating patterns that have led me to struggle with my weight, to not be lean, to not build muscle... then you can change it.” -Coach Tijana
What generational pattern are you ready to break? DM us or tag us on Instagram @getsculpted.ca to share your biggest aha moment from this episode, or tell us what habit you're choosing to do differently than the generations before you. Your transformation starts the moment you realize you're not stuck with the story you were handed.
Connect with Get Sculpted
Thanks for joining us on this episode of Get Sculpted! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify to help us reach even more women ready to cut through the noise and get the real deal on fat loss, muscle building, and what it really takes to build their 2.0 sculpted self inside and out.
This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
More about the Get Sculpted Podcast
Welcome to Get Sculpted, the podcast for women who want to lose fat, build muscle, and reset their metabolism with science-based strategies and actionable advice.
We go beyond quick fixes and fad diets to give you sustainable fat loss strategies, strength training tips for women, and the mindset shifts that help you achieve lasting results. Think less guessing, more confidence, and habits that actually fit your lifestyle.
No matter if you’re just starting out or ready to level up your training, this podcast gives women the tools to lose fat, build muscle, and feel stronger in their bodies.
We’re your hosts, Jordanna, Marilynn, and Tijana, fitness pros with over 20 years of combined experience and 1,000+ client transformations, including a focus on helping women optimize their metabolism and build strength. You’ll get strategies designed for real bodies and real lives.
We’ll cover questions like:
Can you lose fat and build muscle at the same time?
What is the best way for women to lose fat without losing muscle?
How do I start strength training as a beginner woman?
Why am I not losing weight even though I’m working out and eating healthy?
How can I stop yo-yo dieting for good?
Is cardio necessary for fat loss?
If you’ve been searching for sustainable fat loss, women’s nutrition, and strength training that actually works, you’re in the right place. Join us every week to sculpt a stronger body and a more empowered 2.0 life.
Connect with us on Instagram at @getsculted.ca
The unedited podcast transcript for this episode of the Get Sculpted podcast follows:
Challenging Genetic Excuses & Personal Anecdotes
Tijana [00:00:30 - 00:01:10]: One of the biggest… excuses that we hear is, you know, it's just my genetics… I remember when I was younger and I was overweight… The women in our family are just not meant to be skinny… Genetics might load the gun, but your lifestyle is what's gonna pull the trigger.
Habits vs. Genetics: What Truly Shapes Your Body
Tijana [00:01:10 - 00:01:50]: You might have a predisposition to some things genetically… but your choices… are gonna decide how you show up… What has the most powerful impact on your physique, on your metabolism… your habits. It's not your DNA… we're talking about… your ability specifically to get lean and to build muscle… Anything you guys want to add?
Discussion: Generational Patterns & Scarcity Mindset
Marilynn [00:02:08 - 00:02:22]: No, I'm excited to get into this one because… Just like, the generational patterns… I'm just really excited to get into this topic.Jordanna [00:02:22 - 00:02:23]: Let's do it.
Cultural Conditioning: Food, Exercise, and Emotional Eating
Tijana [00:02:23 - 00:03:38]: Things we've heard growing up. For example, finish your plate… parents have said… trouble listening to their hunger cues… eating till I was stuffed was… the norm… exercise was something you do because you're fat…
Scarcity and Overindulgence in Food Habits
Jordanna [00:03:45 - 00:04:53]: Families who grew up with scarcity and very little… Now… they feel like an overindulgence occurs because they're remembering all the times that they didn't have…Marilynn [00:05:02 - 00:05:32]: Scarcity was a real thing… not only like we have it, so eat it, but… we didn't have it. So I want to, like, it was almost like an overcompensation…
Breaking Generational Cycles & Creating New Habits
Tijana [00:05:53 - 00:06:07]: When you know better, you do better… And now we know better.Tijana [00:06:08 - 00:06:29]: Now I have the power to break the cycle… This is what we help our clients with…
Conditioning vs. Genetics: Food and Movement as Reward or Punishment
Marilynn [00:06:40 - 00:08:57]: What we're talking about here is conditioning… food… can often be deeply connected to… reward, connection… comfort… Movement was for the sole purpose of shrinking yourself… rest and recovery is synonymous with being lazy… It's the narrative we inherit…
Becoming Conscious & Unlearning Old Patterns
Marilynn [00:09:02 - 00:09:43]: Unless you become aware of these things, you can't change them… break the pattern that's been kind of running your whole life…
Practical Tips: Listening to Hunger Cues
Jordanna [00:09:43 - 00:11:23]: Listening to hunger cues… one… sit down to eat on purpose… put your fork down between bites… slow down just enough to then start to acknowledge how full am I as I eat…
Science: Genetics vs. Lifestyle and Body Composition
Marilynn [00:11:54 - 00:12:00]: T, I think this is where it's important now to talk about… the science…Tijana [00:12:01 - 00:15:19]: There is one way to gain body fat, and that is excessive calories… Genetics do play a role… but they're all working hard af… Genetics influence your potential for body composition… Cultural and lifestyle aspects matter… Proper training and nutrition override genetic predispositions… 70 to 80% of your results are gonna come from lifestyle…
Fat Distribution, Building Muscle & Visual Differences
Tijana [00:16:01 - 00:18:42]: Building muscle… your muscles are shaped differently… muscle development varies by body type… Genetics and hormones influence where you store body fat… ability to lose body fat… is absolutely in your control…
Disease Risk: Genetics and Lifestyle Determination
Tijana [00:19:41 - 00:21:21]: Diseases… most genetic predispositions are really still largely lifestyle determined… healthy habits dramatically decrease your risk…
Ownership, Responsibility & Building a Legacy
Jordanna [00:22:02 - 00:25:14]: Being the one… that changes… the future for myself and generations… creating the environment for everybody else to benefit… systems and support… breaking all of this down… what do I want to pass forward and pay forward? What do I want to break the chain on now?
Personal Reflections: Generational Habits We've Broken
Jordanna [00:26:06 - 00:27:09]: What are a couple of habits… that you picked up from your upbringing…?Marilynn [00:26:15 - 00:27:06]: Mine was definitely the you have to finish everything on your plate…
Tijana [00:27:10 - 00:27:38]: Eating beyond the point of fullness… exercise to be skinny…
Our Clients Breaking Cycles: Real-Life Examples
Jordanna [00:28:58 - 00:29:05]: Examples of clients who… overridden some of those historical behaviors?Tijana [00:29:06 - 00:29:36]: Client with pcos, always struggled with her weight… improved her insulin sensitivity… just from lifestyle.
Marilynn [00:29:36 - 00:30:54]: Shout out my client Rita… turned 65… broke generational patterns… dieted for 50 years… would go to her grave dieting… we help women do this…