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

[pepsicolagirl]

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?

No faddy, exclusionary dieting, eating homecooked and heavily on veg - basically as wholefood as you can go - limit processed food and also low fat alternatives - it’s all bollocks - limit booze, take regular realistic exercise, I don’t drive because I can’t so I cycle (not possible for a lot I know) - I have never taken pills for anything probably because of the cycling - I am an ex heavy smoker and decade long raver - lots of drugs etc and I am now 50 with no health issues - cycling, good food and no booze I suspect. Also no snacking just eat 3 good meals a day - and get regular sleep 6-8 hours a night as it regulates metabolism x

I’m 6ft so have height on my side. Thin when growing up and now slim. I have a band of weight that I like to be between, if I head towards the top I calm down the snacks for a while.
I have shorter fat, and taller thin people in my family so also genetics.

Stress

Fear of being fat. At my heaviest I repulsed myself and I wasn't even fat. I don't eat massive portions. Sometimes only 2 meals a day. Running.

I think it could possibly be genetic for some people, or that could be confused with habits and upbringing. I was a very active child, and often wonder if that sets your "calorie clock" in some way.

I still walk far more than average, ( 2 miles every morning before work and again after), run a bit, and have a busy job. I'm 5'6", weigh just under nine stone, and will be 56 this year.

I have never been on a diet in the deliberate sense, but I am food aware. If I go out for a big pub lunch, say, I won't eat much in the evening. I am vegetarian, but pretty eat what I want, but in moderation. So a couple of biscuits, not the packet. Never eat lite stuff, or sweetners etc. I like proper treats!
I weigh myself from time to time, but I can easily tell if I've gained, as my clothes feel different (I don't wear stretchy things). So the minute my jeans feel a bit tighter, I cut back for a few days.

One factor for me is when I’m too full it really hurts. I feel good when I’ve had the right amount, but then it gets uncomfortable, I’ve never had that happily stuffed feeling that some people mention

Watching my diet constantly.
Slim child 91/2 stone or so at 19 (student lifestyle)
Started to reduce the rubbish in my diet .
Think about if I really was hungry/bored/tired etc
Walked everywhere.
Been 81/2 stone ever since.
It's hard work but aged 54 and still maintaining.
No desserts would rather have wine !
Drink 2 litres still water every day
Rarely eat after 6pm
Rarely have pasta or potatoes .
Don't do fast foods burgers/take aways etc.
Oh and I weigh myself everyday.
If I gain 4-6 pounds then I exercise more and cut out the extra stuff I have been having -it's always there.
I love food and I am greedy therefore for me it's simple watch the weight and act if a few pounds go on.
Plus I love clothes and have a lot so would hate to not be able to wear them.

I think genetics and upbringing play a huge part. We never had huge portions. I don’t give my kids huge portions.

Never diet. Just eat a healthy balanced diet. If you deny yourself something you just want it more.

This is so depressing, the majority seem to be either slim through lucky genetics or eating bugger all and no alcohol. I would rather be a bit plump but be able to splurge if I feel like it. And I do 4 hours of yoga a week.

I can't stomach good until 11 ish and don't like eating after 6pm so I think that helps. Almost like fasting. I also don't like sweets/chocolate/alcohol but I can demolish a bag of chips in 10 seconds!? I like walking everywhere I like the muscle tone and builds up strength/immune system.

As a previously slim person now tipped into overweight, it was being mindful of what I ate and plenty of walking every day. My diet is not restrictive as I enjoy chocolate, wine, cheese, biscuits and everything like that but I would often do IF and would just be aware of what I ate. nothing was naughty or a treat, I just took something massively caloric into account and tried to eat a bit less the next day. I don't drive so with a walk to work and school did a lot of brisk walking. All exercise stopped at lockdown and my alcohol intake increased (soared!) and I've gained weight. Hopefully once I have lost weight I can go back to being sensible but enjoying what I eat.

what keeps you slim
Child who owns a gym :-)
As a family growing up we were all within weight centinal ate fresh never processed food few snacks plenty of outdoor play. Continued with my own family healthy fresh food country walks cycle whatever sports they chose.
Now in my middle 60’s gym several times p/w cycle yoga dog walking a little alcohol lots of veg with meals not a lot of carbs, hard when DH is Italian and loves pasta, loads of fruit in the bowl if we’re not hungry at meal times we will have a snack.

Will have real butter and good quality chocolate in moderation rather than marg and yucky chocolate. Don’t eat after 8pm unless on holiday.

I don’t like to look or feel fat, even just a bit of extra chub and I feel gross and a bit disgusted at myself. I’m talking not much just an extra stone and bit of tummy, even though I’d consider someone with the same figure to be beutiful.

I generally eat healthy and am active and always have been, it’s how I was raised, but every 5 years I seem to put on a bit weight from the same food and lifestyle. At 20, 25 and 30. I guess my matabolism slowing.

The first two times just a bit of cutting down here and there did the trick. But the third time it was really stubborn. I did the Joe Wickes diet and HIIT exercise plan, first ive ever tried of either only life, and it worked.

Now I just watch the carbs and it’s stayed off, put some weight on (like with lockdown) and I’ll rein it in and do a bit more exercise.

@Sloth66

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

Funny user name for someone active

restricting food/disordered eating. its not fun.

Active, both formal exercise and functional movement, I rarely drive very short distances. My timekeeping is a bit haphazard so I walk briskly too!

I stop when I'm comfortably full. I will leave one or two mouthfuls when I am ready to finish.

While my diet is nothing to blog about, I don't eat much outright low nutrition "junk". I don't deprive myself either, but I'm not in the routine of lots of sugary treats.

Normally I try not to drink too many calories... but this is 2020...

I eat full sugar, full fat but bare in mind that I can't consume it with impunity.

I do have phases where I rein in and become more mindful or I would creep up until I have a bigger issue. This is really since I was 35.

I love mince pies...but a box of 6 is a half marathon of calories!

I simply eat less calories than needed to put on weight.

I achieve this by monitoring closely how much I eat, and supplement it with a strong exercise regime.

I have rigid willpower and don't like alcohol, which helps. I'm also vain and that helps a lot as I just look much more attractive slim.

Monday - Friday I stick to a really strict, calorie controlled diet. At the weekends I will have things like chocolate and bakery products like scones and cakes.

Being active in daily life, not just sitting down all day and heading to the gym. Eating proper sized portions rather than the really large portions that have crept out of takeaway boxes into our daily lives. Lots of veg. Concentrating on strength exercises. Being content mentally and in touch with my inner self on a spiritual level. Saying no automatically when people bring cakes etc into work. Avoiding sugar )which now tastes rank) looking at a piece of fruit as a nice treat. Chocolate/crisps etc are no go. My downfall is I love beer (proper stuff none of this larger stuff), but I limit this.

Genetics, mostly. I eat a lot, do no exercise and have always been slim. Size 6/8 at the mo. I did put on some weight when drinking heavily as a student at university, but only up to a 10.
I am a natural fidget though, and we never have take away a - but I eat A LOT of cheese, crisps and bread etc. Naturally a more savoury than sweet tooth, but I do eat cake, biscuits etc.
I don't deny myself something - if I want it, I'll eat it. Everything in moderation - I believe the more you try not to eat something, the more likely you'll binge on it eventually.

I leave food on my plate if full (hate feeling full), never eat breakfast because I'm not hungry in the mornings, don't have 'snacks' and limit carbs - I like meat, veg and sauce and can't see the point of a big bland pile of rice or pasta on the side.

I'm not obsessive in the slightest though - if we're out for the day and I fancy fish and chips, I have it and feel no guilt. And probably fry up any left-over chips the next day!

For me it's all about eating what I like but not huge portions, stopping when full, and snacks don't figure into my daily routine, except at Christmas when there are chocolates and crisps etc about for a few days.

Having reasonable size portions, eating reasonably healthily with just a couple of treats a day, don’t eat diet foods eat the real thing eg full fat yogurt big less of if, diet low cal foods are loaded with sugar . Not going on diets that make you crave the foods you’re limiting and cutting back when you notice you’re clothes getting tighter rather than letting it go and then trying to deal with bigger weight loss

@sadwithkiddies

restricting food/disordered eating. its not fun.

I see an adult woman eating kids’ or party food such as crisps and chocolate bar On a daily basis and being unable to not have them as disordered eating

I'm over 60 with an underactive thyroid and have found an ideal way to keep slim is to take my thyroid meds as per the instructions alongside half dose daily of hrt.

My diet is a combination of 16:8 x 5 days per week which is just careful rather than overly restrictive combined with 2 days at 5:2 of around 800 calories per day. I also exercise for approximately 20 mins per day/7 days per week but am also pretty active too.

@Tootsey11

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

This

@GreyishDays

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

Oh no, I meant THIS