How do slim people think?

[Episcomama]

...because I really do think there is a difference between how slim and overweight people think. I am very overweight - BMI of 33. So obese rather than overweight, technically.

I've been off and on diets all my adult life, and the only thing I've really had success with is intermittent fasting and keto. When I stick to it, it works. The problem isn't my body, it's my mind. It's as though there's a switch that gets flicked from time to time. A voice in my head telling me to eat in case of famine. Food occupies much of my waking hours - once I've had a meal I'm thinking ahead to the next one.

A dear friend is very slim and once mentioned that she just doesn't really find satisfaction in food in the way I do (comfort, commiseration, celebration, whatever.) When I spent the weekend with her recently, it really became apparent how differently we see food. She was mildly horrified at both the quantity and frequency of my meals whereas I couldn't understand how she was satisfied with what she ate.

Eating disorders aside, do you think there's a difference between a "thin mind" and a "fat mind", to express it crudely. And if you have a thin mind and used to have a fat mind, can you share with me how you flicked that switch?

[DelurkingAJ]

I suspect it might sometimes be circular. I was once very slim and am still well within a normal BMI. I am tall (which makes it much easier). So I never worry about what I want to eat. Which in turn means that whilst I enjoy food and have treats when I want them I never obsess because when I want a snack I have one. Virtuous circle, which persists (thank you height and decent metabolism) despite my diet being very imperfect.

[RickOShay]

They want to be slim more than they want to eat.
But imho most slim people don’t eat very much at all, especially if they in their forties.

[WalkAwaySugarbear]

I agree 100%. I love food, especially unhealthy foods and it shows . However there are slim people who battle the 'food thoughts' and are always dieting but I've noticed that naturally slim people don't eat for pleasure, just to function. DH is like this and will happily live off shreddies or weetabix, whereas I find this utterly dull as there is so much tasty food out there.

[Mammylamb]

I’m a small fat person. And I’m bloody obsessed with food. As is my mum. It’s as though someone is saying in a wee voice in my ear “ you better eat this as there will be nothing to eat later”

[OhTheRoses]

Hmm. I think some people live to eat and others eat to live.

[PinkFlamingo888]

I’m slim and always have been. As a child I didn’t get that much enjoyment from eating but not I really really love food and am always thinking about food but just can’t manage big portions.

[PumpkinP]

Yes ofcourse. When I’m upset I comfort eat when my friend is upset she can’t eat and doesn’t eat for days. Guess which ones the slim one?! She literally doesn’t get comfort eating and doesn’t get how you can eat when you’re upset so I do think there is a difference in the way we think.

[stopgap]

I love good food. Quality meats, vegetables in season, fancy olive oils. I’m half Italian and was raised to appreciate fresh food, and don’t eat processed anything.

I also love exercise, am a long and lean build, and quite honestly like the way I look (5’7, size 8) so it’s a combination of genetic food fortune and gravitating towards a healthy lifestyle.

[stopgap]

Genetic good fortune!

[Beaverdam]

Im a size 6 to 8 and love food. Constantly thinking about it and eating out. I think wer all just different in how we carry it.

[Egghead68]

There was a channel 4 programme called something like “secrets of slim people”. I think it’s available on catch-up. Iirc basically they often missed meals as they forgot to eat/it wasn’t a priority for them.

[PARunnerGirl]

I have a slim/ athletic build (UK size 6-8 top and 8-10 bottom). I’m late thirties and have been this way since I was 30. I used to be about 3 stone heavier. Around a size 14/16.

I love food and I think about it a lot! It’s how I like to socialise and spend time with friends and family and even just relax on my own (e.g. looking up recipes and cooking).

The difference between then and now is that now I really (and pretty much only) enjoy food that is good for me. I wouldn’t drink a big whipped cream topped Starbucks drink or eat a bucket of fried chicken from KFC. It doesn’t feel enjoyable to me like it did before. It might be because my body is healthier and so it just doesn’t “like” it as much? No idea! But that is the difference- I still love food as much but I want it to taste fresh, natural and nourishing.

[SavanahXx]

I don't think there's a "slim mind" or a "fat mind" I'm a size 6/8 and I eat alot of food. And i mean alot. As soon as I wake up, I'm all like "hmm what to have for tea today" before I've even had breakfast. And to the person who says slim people don't eat for pleasure. You've never bloody met anyone like me then 😂😂 I get a Ben and Jerry's and it's 3/4 gone as soon as I open it 😂😂 I bloody love food. My OH is the exact same and he's quite tall and slim.

[RickOShay]

@Egghead68
Yes that’s what they say. The reality is that they don’t eat because they don’t want to put on weight, but for some reason it isn’t acceptable to say that.
Most slim people are making a conscious sustained effort with their diet, and often miss meals.

[RickOShay]

@SavanahXx
Would you mind saying how old you are?

[Cautionsharpblade]

I think about food all the time. Always planning what I’m going to eat next, where and when. I often plan holidays around food. I like looking at recipes and pictures of food on social media. I love eating out and have made quite a few foodie friends. Once dumped a bloke after he said food was ‘just fuel’. No, for me it’s one of life’s greatest pleasures. I run a food business. I often eat two dinners (I’m about to get out of bed now for more food). It’s embarrassing how much I eat compared with other people. I eat way too much chocolate and sugar.

I’m in my late 40s and I’m a size 12. Always have been.

[Pleasedontdrawonyoursister]

I’m slim, but I do think about food a lot, and always look forward to my next meal! I also know that it is unhealthy to eat constantly/in excess. I would say that I have a ’treat’ most days but have a mini chocolate bar rather than 2 full size mars bars for example. If I’m out of the house I’ll keep fruit in my bag to snack on instead of rubbish. I also do gym classes a few nights a week. It’s all about balance, which is always going to be easier for some people than others depending on your circumstances.

[EmmiJay]

Former chubster here. Size 20 down to 12 now. If I'm even allowed to comment; I've kept the weight off for a few years. I changed my way of thinking about food. I listened to my stomach. I used to eat huge portions and think I had to clear the plate. Now I listen to my stomach when it says its full and I stop. I was a bored snacker and learned to do something else until my next meal. I had to stop eating late at night (an annoying habit from DD's baby days that continued unnecessarily). Its a whole new thought process.

[mintcorneto]

I'm slim and I love food. I have to eat breakfast as soon as I wake up and I am always thinking about my next meal. I don't drink alcohol, fizzy juice or coffee and when I snack I have fruit mostly. I also exercise a lot. It annoys me when people comment how lucky I am to be 'naturally slim' as if it's just luck when I make an effort to keep on top of it and would put weight on if I gave in and had all the stuff I really want

[AgeLikeWine]

Kate Moss was heavily criticised for saying ‘nothing tastes as good as skinny feels’, but she was giving a genuine insight into the mentality of some slim people. Given the choice between eating doughnuts and being slim, they genuinely prefer to choose the latter option.

They comfort themselves by looking in the mirror and seeing a slim person in the same way a fat person comforts themselves by demolishing a packet of chocolate biscuits.

[Chelsea26]

Ok - I was fat and now I’m slim and changing that was a massive mind change - I was ‘on a diet’ and very strict. Since I’ve got to the size I want to be my mindset has changed, in that I can eat what I want “but is it worth it”

[Chelsea26]

If it is - eat and enjoy! If it isn’t save it for something that is!

[SavanahXx]

@RickOShay 20. And I'm really short. And I hate to admit it but I do no exercise ever. I walk and that's about it, yet I even hate doing that. The only other exercises I get it running about after my DD. or the endless amount of cleaning I do day in, day out

[Onacleardayyoucansee]

Im 40s, size 8-10, eat one meal a day.
Im very busy, always on the go, i walk everywhere (no car)
as has been said, i forget to eat. I do graze though and drink loads of tea and coffee.