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?

Do you think average women are battling for a place on a podium ( sport related, I presume?) A bit of a one off ?

Yes, I think you should abandon your aspirations because some randomer is basically horribly jealous of your size 4/6/8

Actually why the numbers? can't we have odd numbers?

How does under eating like that help with running??

I'm 5ft9 and a size 8-10 (used to be a size 14). I am this way because I practice intermittent fasting, mostly 16:8. It isn't a fad diet, it's a lifestyle. I start eating in the day around noon (although I may have fruit teas in the morning). I eat whatever I like from 1pm till 9pm, without exception. Here's the issue though, I have lived this way for over 20 years that I find no enjoyment in eating in the morning and I struggle to gain weight.

I would like to be a firm 10 and I'm really struggling to put it back on. So, that's how I stay this way.

I exercise most days, I walk as much as I can, I don't really sit down during the day til my kids are in bed. I eat a lot but I stay a size 8/10. I lost 3 stone to get to this size and have maintained it it for 3 years now.

Do you think average women are battling for a place on a podium

On the basis that I'm an average woman: yes!

Fasting has been proven to be good for your health.

Balanced diet and lots of exercise. I eat about 2000-2300 calories a day, have a relatively structured diet on weekdays and eat what I want at weekends. I run and lift heavy weights 4/5 days a week.

I'll never go back to restricting my calories as it made me miserable. Exercise and lots of food makes me much happier. It's just a way of life now and I'm comfortably a size 6-8.

I read the first few answers and thought, well your answer here is, get yourself an eating disorder....
just so sad and frustrating to see women obsessing about their shape rather than their health. If you have good health indicators (e.g. such as no high blood glucose, no fatty liver, no pain, no raised inflammation markers, good bone density,), that's what matters, not size. What a waste of life to put time and energy into being proud about depriving oneself of food and being a size and shape that is irrelevant to health and happiness.

Yes, I think you should abandon your aspirations because some randomer is basically horribly jealous of your size 4/6/8

WTF? I don't think anyone is any way jealous of my size. Most women don't like my look and don't waste a lot of time in telling me so. And the same goes for men, come to think of it.

Anyway, you just seem a bit touchy about the subject. But hey, it's a discussion forum: it's not a problem.

@time4anothername exactly and they mostly can’t even see it, I was size 4 through starvation and it is in no way aspirational, this is not related to people who are naturally that size.

Am I touchy? Possibly. Mostly just sad.

Am I touchy? Possibly. Mostly just sad.

I work out like a beast, usually 6 days a week with heavy weights and long distance running. I don't drink much alcohol and can go months without it. Small portions but I do snack a lot! I try to always think about nutrition and make an effort to eat enough protein but I do treat myself.... in fact most days. But I sometimes skip meals, usually dinner as an intermittent fasting technique. Works for me.

Christ, this has got to be one of the most depressing threads I have ever read.
Seriously, what is the point of consuming so much fake food and drink? Diet drinks? Protein shakes? Slimmer soups for dinner? Jesus wept!!
What would happen if we all did our best to look after our health by being as fit as we can be and nourishing our bodies with nutritious foods?
I would rather be 5 stone overweight (according to the BMI charts) and feel healthy and alive than count calories and feel guilty for every crumb of cake that passes my lips.
Honestly, I have been underweight, overweight and normal weight, and I discovered years ago that living by a few principles has led me to being in the best shape physically and mentally than ever. The first thing I did was throw my scales away, I decided I was never going to feel guilt over anything I ate, my diet is mainly plant based, I only eat until I am full, no matter what is left on my plate and I am as active as possible every single day.
Whether I am 8 stone or 28 stone, I can choose to be happy and as healthy as I can be TODAY!! I dont need to be a certain weight to feel ok and I implore anyone who feels they cant be happy until they reach a magical number on the scales to relax and listen to your body and learn to be happy with the way you are right now.
In a years time, you may be slimmer, you may not be, but wouldnt it be good to look back and know you are healthier and happier now than you were a year ago?
Focus on your health because that's far more important than a number on a set of scales.
Prioritise your health over your weight and you will end up the weight nature intended you to be.
I have absolutely no idea what I weigh now, but I am 5'7 and wear size 12 clothes and feel great! I dont want to know what I weigh. I just want to be as active and healthy as i can be. That's enough for me.

Omg most of this sounds like hell

For me it is 99% diet, 1% exercise.

I’m 44. Over the past year or so I’ve gone down from just over 10st and a size 10/12 to just over 9st and, I assume a size 8 (cos all my size 10 summer trousers are too big this year). This is the lightest I’ve been in my adult life. I was a bit plump as a teenager and overweight at and after uni. I put on weight easily.

I count macros (more sophisticated version of calorie counting). It doesn’t have to be miserable. In fact, this approach to eating has freed me from the tyranny of ‘good and bad food’ and helped me get more in tune with my appetite. I don’t starve myself, skip meals or live on SlimaSoups. I eat chocolate and bread and proper butter every day. I eat a lot of protein (I like it, it fills me up, plus It supports the strength training I do 3x per week). I tend to only drink on weekends anyway and not a massive amount. No food (or booze) is off-limits though. It’s just a case of balancing it out - eg if we’re having pizza and wine one evening I probably won’t have my usual toast-and-jam mid-morning snack that day. Etc.

For me, breakfast is key. If I start the day hungry then I want to snack the rest of it. So I always have a proper, filling breakfast.

@PablosHoney

Well done on getting sober *@theemmadilemma* 🥰

Thank you lovely! 🙏

I don't calorie count but I know that as a small person I need to keep my calorie intake low.

I don't avoid any particular foods (I do eat chocolate and drink wine!) but I try to keep the amounts small.
I never eat before lunchtime or after 8.
I always eat off a side plate or child's bowl.
I only order small plates or starters if eating out.

Also I weigh myself most days and am conscious of when I need to cut back.

I'm fairly active and have started running during lockdown now normal daily activity is less.

😨

No worries @theemmadilemma, it’s a massive thing 🙌🏻

Just don’t sit around so much. I work my ass off, and I eat what I want, when I want. I love my body and I am sad for all the women who live in a body they seem to loathe. I don’t understand it. I’m slim and athletic, but I love my body with a few extra pounds here and there - easy to shift if you’re constantly on the go.

If you have good health indicators (e.g. such as no high blood glucose, no fatty liver, no pain, no raised inflammation markers, good bone density,), that's what matters, not size.

And that's how it is for me. You can be size 10 without going to extremes.

I don't touch diet drinks or protein shakes or slimmer soups. I eat nutritious food that is healthy. I don't eat too much of it and I take enough exercise. But the key is not to eat crap, and not to eat too much.

Age 54 and 9 stone at 5'8, run at least 10 miles a day, cycle and swim occasionally when there is time because I can and because I love sport. I rarely eat breakfast. I know genetically I would be fat if I didn't exercise ad watch what I eat. Even with all the exercise I have to be careful about what I eat.

I like being athletic and slim. I have a very physical job so it is important to be fit. I feel better too, there have been moments when I was more chunky in the past and I wasn't happy, or attractive.

Is there such a thing as naturally slim ? That sort of insinuates that it doesn't matter what they eat or do exercise wise, they will always be slim.
I don't think this is true, I think if you look at their diet and activity levels over a period of time they will 'naturally' self regulate, so if they have a calorie heavy meal they might not feel as hungry at the next meal and therefore reduce their intake. Or they might exercise a lot or be more active than someone like me with a largely sedentary lifestyle.
@LaurieFairyCake what intrigues me about your surgery is that you are going to be limited to a lot less than 1200 calories a day for months and months and months, that is how and why it works.

@managedmis

This thread is so depressing. There is more to life than being a size 8!

^^

Like what, pray tell? Diabetes? Heart disease? Colon cancer? Infection due to skin rub? Sleep apnea? I could go on...

Do you really think it's either size 8 or loads of health conditions? It's not one extreme or the other, there is a middle ground! But nice job of shaming anyone who isn't your messed up version of "healthy"