If you're a size 8-10 (or your ideal) but not naturally slim how do you stay that way?

[overweightcat]

I know some people are just naturally rather petite or slim and willowy.

But if you're not and manage to stay a size 8-10 how do you do it?

I'm 5'5 and recently lost weight and gone down to a solid size 12 - 10 in certain shops. Beforehand it was on the larger side of size 14.
I used to be very slim in my teens, had a terrible diet full of crap and sweets but was also very active around 8hrs a week of various sports/dance activities. I became quite sedentary and steadily piled on the weight since.

I don't have long legs or a small frame or anything - if anything I find that I'm rather in proportion all around and when I used to do a lot of sports I looked slim and athletic not willowy (which I'd prefer TBH).
Size 8-10 is my ideal I think as I've recently seen pictures of myself when I was that size and I think that's when I looked my healthiest and fittest - but I'm not sure how to get there.

My weight is at a bit of a standstill at the moment and I want to lose in a sustainable way. I probably have about 9lbs to go.

So anyone who has managed to achieve that and stay the desired size - can you share how you did it?

Unreliable because weight fluctuates day to day (water retention, hormone, a huge shit)

OP, you’ll find that people who manage to stay size 8-10 in their 30s and 40s are overwhelmingly “naturally skinny”. They may say how careful they are etc, but really they are not. They do have cake and biscuits and alcohol and they don’t run themselves into the ground with exercise either

I think this is true

Daily weighing Unreliable because weight fluctuates day to day (water retention, hormone, a huge shit)

This is also true

I can weigh myself and then weigh myself half an hour later and it is a different number so it's not reliable.

Comparing weight week to week is more reliable but I can understand how it becomes addictive to weigh yourself daily.

They don't eat.

I had a breakdown that lasted 18 months. During that time I worked, but couldn't really eat. I'd live on coffee and a meal was a slice of toast here and there. It was miserable. I also exercised regularly out of necessity because I didn't have a car.

I was never less than 11 stone a size 12 (I'm 5'9").

There's a lot of talk about people getting used to eating more than they need, but that's literally what the human body is designed to do - eat more in times of plenty to survive times of scarcity. Of course we have to moderate this to a degree with healthy eating in a society where "plenty" had lasted half a century, but anyone who has ever seen someone fade away from illness will appreciate that being at the bottom end of a "healthy" weight will not serve you well if you're ever trying to recover from a serious illness any more than being obese will.

It's really upsetting how many women seem to balance their entire self-worth on how much they weigh. I can't imagine how triggering some of the commentary on threads like this is for people with eating disorders. There's a smug, judgemental braggyness to "this is how little I eat!" that's pretty unpleasant.

but anyone who has ever seen someone fade away from illness will appreciate that being at the bottom end of a "healthy" weight will not serve you well if you're ever trying to recover from a serious illness any more than being obese will

I'm sure I read that somewhere too

I'm a size 10 and 5'2. I try to stick with everything in moderation as I finding If I don't let myself eat something I end up breaking after a few days and eating far to much of it. I also walk and do yoga which helps me feel health and tones my body.

I also know that I'm rather lucky in the genetics- the women in my family on both sides have small frames which I know helps.

Self discipline is required but after a while it does become habit. The key in my opinion is finding what works for you.
I agree with you.
I found it easier to keep slim in my 20s before DC. I still find it relatively easy to stay an 8-10 but that's only because I've got habits that work for me.

For example the idea of 'They may say how careful they are etc, but really they are not. They do have cake and biscuits and alcohol and they don’t run themselves into the ground with exercise either' doesn't ring true with me or any slim people I know.

One thing I notice about people who are slimmer is that it tends to be a combination of habits and we tend to be quite good with 'everything in moderation'. It's certainly not some special power where we remain slim whilst eating lots of cake and sitting on the sofa with take away and wine.

I am 5’8 and a size 8-10. I know you mention if your not naturally slim (which I am!). However, when I’m pregnant my metabolism slows majorly and even though my eating does not change the weight piles on. I’ve had 3 babies and each time I gain 23-25 kgs. So I have the experience of losing it after. I don’t do much different. But I do walk a lot. I think that makes a huge difference. I’m always on my feet when taking the kids to the park (and dog!). I don’t usually just sit on the bench and watch them play. I’m standing with them and watching or pushing the baby in the stroller (she is 7 months and I’ve already lost all the baby weight). Or I’m throwing the ball for the dog. My portions are good , but not ginormous. Not much snacking (no time!). Drink only water (except when I have wine a few times a week (no more then 2 glasses). I am 37, so as I age I definitely notice metabolism slowing. I eat a lot less then I used to. When I was in my early 20s I used to eat a desert with every meal!! McDonalds 3 times a week at least and stayed slim. But as I aged I started eating more veggies and fruits and naturally just cut back as I’m not as hungry. And if you need to shrink your appetite skip dinner once or twice a year. That helps shrink the appetite (I’ve done it twice for health reasons as I felt run down w lack of sleep etc). I feel like it resets my body. I don’t make it a regular thing. I’ve literally only done this two days for this year. But some people do intermittent fasting daily. I believe it’s good for the health and has a lot of body healing benefits. But I’m not able to do it daily.

It's really upsetting how many women seem to balance their entire self-worth on how much they weigh. I can't imagine how triggering some of the commentary on threads like this is for people with eating disorders. There's a smug, judgemental braggyness to "this is how little I eat!" that's pretty unpleasant

Unpleasant and sad.

It is not about eating little. Yes, some women choose to eat little, but that is probably because they don’t exercise as much. And unfortunately some do have eating disorders. But you can also be slim and eat normally. But this also means getting your butt off the sofa and moving around.

For lunch I’ve had a ham, cheese, mushroom Egg omelette. It filled a large plate with a side of crisps. After that I had a bowl of blue berries and black berries with a large chunk of Comte cheese. I’m full and satisfied...

Mamabear12
I agree with you.
Some people have eating disorders, some are always on diets but some genuinely just have established a balance of food and exercise that is right for them.

The problem when answering any question about how you are a smaller size is that there's usually 3 main replies:

1. You're lying about being careful with your food. Slim people claim they're making positive choices but really they absolutely do eat cake / biscuits / eat what they want
2. You're lying about enjoying everything in moderation. Slim people are only skinny because they don't eat / hardly eat / obsess over calories / are exercise obsessives.
3. Look at how smug slimmer people are for saying they watch what they eat / exercise. It's so bitchy of them.

No answer can escape those 3 criticisms.

Most of these posts sound miserable and are teetering on the edge of eating disorders. Bloody hell op, life is too short. I'm all for keeping healthy but you need to live life too

A lot of slim people enjoy exercise so keeping fit and pushing your body to get stronger or run faster is a hobby which you can't achieve without also eating healthy. My portions aren't tiny and I have small meals throughout the day. Usually protein based. So apple with peanut butter for example.

ambereeree
You're right on the link between fitness and exercise.
I enjoy a good pub meal but prefer them not to be on a Friday night because I feel rubbish the next morning for Parkrun.

Today I had pitta bread pizzas with coleslaw for lunch and I think I'm having vegetable chilli and rice for dinner. It's hardly the diet of someone who is starving themselves to fit in their jeans.

I'm an 8-10. I've also been a LOT bigger and I have PCOS so keeping my weight down is a struggle. Here's what I do:

• Walk everywhere. I live in a city, so this isn't a problem for me.
• No snacking between meals.
• 16:8 fasting of late to shed my last few post-baby lbs.
• Lots of Vinyasa yoga at home. I try and get in a few HIIT workouts a week too.
• I don't drink my calories - water, green tea, coffee with skim milk. Rarely drink at home, usually only when I'm out at a bar/restaurant.
• Don't eat carbs at every meal.
• I don't have a sweet tooth, so only eat sugary things occasionally. I love ice cream, but it'll take me over a week to get through a Ben and Jerry's carton.
• In non-COVID times I worked out with a trainer once a week and we lifted a lot of very heavy weights. This means I'm actually pretty heavy. I packed on 12lbs of muscle last year!

@allfurcoatnoknickers well done on the weight loss. You also have to eat to build muscle (the right foods of course). People always guess my weight lighter than it actually is because muscle is heavy.

Just jumping on this to ask does Diet Coke make you big? I drink lots of it but it's diet so I never know.

I usually stay at about 9st 7 (5 ft 10) without effort, size 8-10 but probably partly due to chronic disease and eating well to combat that. I have never dieted.

I have put on 1/2 stone on purpose for covid as I have heard you can lose a stone easily. I'm extremely vulnerable so I think I'd do better with more weight to lose.

To put in the weight I made a point of eating chocolate, crisps, biscuits, cheese. I actually got in the habit and now enjoy snacking in the evening with tv when I never used to.

@ambereeree I'm about 9st8 and 5'3 with the extra muscle . I certainly ate a lot of eggs, avocado, sweet potato and salmon to get there...

There is a lot of very pejorative comments here about slim people being on the edge of eating disorder or having sad, pathetic lives. Why do people feel the need to be so judgemental about other people’s eating choices? What does it matter to you how other people choose to eat and what size they choose to maintain?

The OP asked for people who are slim, not naturally, to say how they do this, and people have answered. Yes, many slim women, myself included have borderline disordered eating related to restriction, excessive exercise or elements of orthorexia, but we have body autonomy so this choice is our own.

Honestly - fitnesspal to track calories and be strict and start lifting heavy weights! Ive never struggled with my weight and am naturally a 10 but by tracking calories and training I can get to a strong / muscly size 8. You will have a “happy size” which you are when eating well most of the time and exercising regularly (mine is a 10) and if I do want to be an 8 it’s more work and less treats!

So much jealousy on this thread from presumably fatties who can't help themselves.
You don't have to be obsessive about everything to be slim, just intelligent about exactly how much, how often and what you eat, and how much you move. It isn't rocket science, there is no excuse for anyone being overweight.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I don’t sense much intelligence coming from your quarters.

@Jemenfouscompletement

What about people who are underweight? Do you think there's no excuse to be underweight?

@formerbabe
I wouldn't bother. I imagine @Jemenfouscompletement doesn't believe anyone can be underweight unless they are anorexic. At which point they become worthy of her public pity ( and probably her secret admiration for their 'iron will' or 'self discipline' or some such crap')

@NotAnotherUserNumber

There is a lot of very pejorative comments here about slim people being on the edge of eating disorder or having sad, pathetic lives. Why do people feel the need to be so judgemental about other people’s eating choices? What does it matter to you how other people choose to eat and what size they choose to maintain?

The OP asked for people who are slim, not naturally, to say how they do this, and people have answered. Yes, many slim women, myself included have borderline disordered eating related to restriction, excessive exercise or elements of orthorexia, but we have body autonomy so this choice is our own.

I think people who have to work really really hard to stay a slightly smaller size than they would be naturally probably does have some sort of eating disorder. I don't mean the difference between medically a normal weight and overweight , I mean the difference between the lower and upper end of normal BMI. There are lots of women on here saying how much happier they are working so hard and devoting so much energy to staying slightly smaller than is necessary medically because of how it makes them 'feel' or 'look'. If it truly makes you happy fine butt I don't believe that someone who exercises regularly and eats well and is a healthy weight ' needs' to be any smaller than they are in order to be worthy. But I know I am in a minority here.