We all know that people come in all shapes and sizes. And the differences can be very large. On one of my trips to attend a seminar, I met a guy who played professional American Football. He could bench press 140kg on an incline bench for 8 reps as a warmup. His shoulders were almost as wide as the bench press station, just about everything about him was big, even his fingers, and head.

No matter how much I train, I am physically incapable of achieving that sort of size.

So whats the point of this article?

I am often asked why we don’t count calories when we teach nutrition, or why we need to eat a certain amount of protein, fats, or carbohydrates to have success. Can’t we just eat a “balanced” meal of rice, some vegetables and a few pieces of meat and get great results.

Of course we can.

But only if our genetics allowed us to.

We have a client who weights 75kg, has sub 6% bodyfat (veins in thighs and calves and a nice 6-pack of abs) is strong and has a very nice looking physique.

He eats only 2 meals per day – or sometimes one, he trains with average consistency, and he sleeps only 4-5 hours per night. I am trying to get him to have better habits – imagine how awesome his strength and physique will be then!

That sounds easy! Why can’t we all do that?

Simple… genetically, we are less gifted.

He can – We cannot. Myself included.

He has an excellent metabolism, high levels of muscle building and fat burning hormones, strong detoxification ability and very good ability to tolerate carbohydrates of all kinds.

The rest of us have to follow our customized personal training programs, nutrition and lifestyle plans, detoxification plans and sleep plans closely to even get close to the physique that such a gifted individual has.

It can be done but it just takes more love – love of being healthy, strong and fit.

World record sprinter Usain Bolt’s meal before he broke the 100m world record at the 2008 Olympics was chicken McNuggets. That is by no means ideal nutrition. But he broke (totally smashed) the world record.

He Can – We Cannot.

Michael Phelps eats a high carb, high starch, 12000 calorie per day diet and wins multiple medals in Olympic swimming. (He also has long arms and flipper-like double jointed, big feet).

He Can – We Cannot.

People on the internet claim that weight loss is as easy as counting calories, eating less, and exercising more. This would work for a few gifted people (but still with less than optimal results)  but they are not the ones who will benefit from our personal training, nutrition coaching and Singapore fitness bootcamp services.

They Can – We Cannot.

It is those who have tried many methods but failed or who are frustrated with other kinds of fitness services who will benefit most.

I hope all this doesn’t discourage you! As an encouragement, I too am a former fat boy who is by no means a genetically gifted athlete. But being less gifted helps me to be diligent in searching the world for the best methods to help my clients and I get the best possible results from their training and lifestyle plans.