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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you are slim, what, in your opinion, keeps you that way?

578 replies

pepsicolagirl · 15/10/2020 16:59

I read the other thread with interest and as an obese person a lot of the comments range true but it made me wonder. Those of you who are in the ideal/normal weight category, what do you attribute that to?

OP posts:
Trut · 15/10/2020 17:01

Small portions, limited grains (usually only in the morning and/or lunch) and last meal at 6pm

Iwannabeadog · 15/10/2020 17:02

I honestly think luck. I eat reasonably well but don't turn down crisps/cake/alcohol. I do exercise but because I love it and always have. But in reality all my family are slim and I do think that is the reason I am.

Trut · 15/10/2020 17:02

And exercise. I find strength training shrinks my appetite (unlike cardio).

workhomesleeprepeat · 15/10/2020 17:02

Genetics

romeolovedjulliet · 15/10/2020 17:03

diabetes and having to watch my diet. i wouldn't recommend it for choice but at least i'm an ideal weight for height and build having lost 6 stone due the disease.

GreyishDays · 15/10/2020 17:03

Not being a complete pig, just a bit of one, and doing some exercise.

Tootsey11 · 15/10/2020 17:03

Small portions, only eating when you are hungry, knowing when too stop and always active.

severusbadgerfox · 15/10/2020 17:03

Seriously restricting my food

I'm 5ft 1 and 8.5 stone

My body would be 11 if I didn't watch my every morsel

Camomila · 15/10/2020 17:04

good genes!

PurpleDaisies · 15/10/2020 17:05

Liking cooking and liking vegetables. Also really enjoying exercise. Not drinking much.

And taking quick action if I’ve put a few pounds on!

Digeridont · 15/10/2020 17:05

Eating when I’m hungry and stopping when I’m full. Took ages to learn (in the end, it was fasting that made it click for me), but it makes a huge difference.

blue25 · 15/10/2020 17:05

I eat a very healthy diet. Almost no processed food & very little sugar.

Macncheeseballs · 15/10/2020 17:06

I dont over eat and I move alot

RatherBeRiding · 15/10/2020 17:06

Exercise, small portions, limiting carbs, limiting anything sugary. Also - NOT dieting. Nothing is off limits If I want chips and chocolate then I have them, but in moderation. I also have a fairly good knowledge of nutrition and calorie counts so subconsciously scan everything I eat in terms of how much I ought to be eating.

Strava is also my friend - I cycle for miles every weekend so I can clock calories burned!

Rachetine · 15/10/2020 17:06

Very healthy diet in the week, only let myself go at weekends. I also run 5k a day and 10k on Saturdays.

I find the restriction a lot more satisfying than I used to find eating whatever I wanted!

littlepeas · 15/10/2020 17:07

Active job and lifestyle, no alcohol - I eat a lot and don’t restrict any food groups, but do generally eat very healthily.

Sloth66 · 15/10/2020 17:07

I’m quite active, walk most days, cycle, bit of gym and yoga.

EhUp · 15/10/2020 17:07
  • definitely an element of luck/ genetics
  • I enjoy being active and the outdoors
  • If I start putting on a few pounds I take corrective action rather than letting it become a few stone
  • I eat a balanced diet, although I love cake/chocolate/puddings etc I'm not a fan of 'junk' food so meals are always cooked from fresh ingredients, no ready meals or KFC etc
HeyBlaby · 15/10/2020 17:07

Exercise, not massive portions of food, treats as a treat, not an every day thing.

AfterSchoolWorry · 15/10/2020 17:07

In reality it's the species of various flora in the microbiome of peoples guts.

Influenced by behaviour, antibiotic use and many other things.

Trut · 15/10/2020 17:08

I agree, body type/genes probably do matter. But after a ‘certain age’ it is a lot down to diet.

It is very possible, OP. I have a small bone structure and always been slim. Then I gained weight around 45, it just crept up and took me by surprise.

I changed my diet and started exercising and lost 12 kg over two years. I am now 5’4 and weight 49 kg, close to the weight I feel comfortable with.

I was worried with the V shutdown I would gain, and I have (moved up from 48 to 49 kg). But I keep an eye on my diet and fast every so often (IF) or just skip dinner if I had a particularly heavy day prior.

ScribblingMilly · 15/10/2020 17:09

Having health problems when I was young and wanting to keep them at bay. Not eating much processed food or sugar. Homemade meals. Only eating when hungry. Prioritising nutrition.

LadyCatStark · 15/10/2020 17:10

Running 5k every morning (I know a lot of people do much more but I’m happy with my achievement!), Pilates in the evening, 16:8 fasting, eating what I want between those times but never binging, not drinking much alcohol.

Trut · 15/10/2020 17:10

@Digeridont

Eating when I’m hungry and stopping when I’m full. Took ages to learn (in the end, it was fasting that made it click for me), but it makes a huge difference.
This!!!
ChibiTotoro · 15/10/2020 17:10

I cook most meals from scratch, so I'm aware of what goes into my food. I very rarely drink alcohol or soft drinks (not had once since August). We don't eat large portions, but I do eat chocolate and cake every day.