Why aren’t you obese?

[Spottyphonecase24]

A bit of a weird one but I have just got off a zoom call with my therapist. We were talking about my weight (I am obese).

Why isn’t everyone else obese? What stops you? I don’t seem to have an off button. I remember going from a 10 to a 12 and thinking that’s it I’m not going to get any bigger but I did and now I am in a size 24 and they are getting a bit tight. I’ve read lots about how people have their light bulb moment to lose weight and that has not happened to me, or maybe it has and I’ve ignored it.

What stops you eating a tub of icecream or picking up a large bar of chocolate instead of a small one or one bag of crisps instead of a family size bag?

I honestly don’t know the reasons why people don’t eat more. Is it will power, feeling full?

[diddl]

When I was a kid these things were a treat & a block of ice cream or a "family size" bar of chocolate would be shared.

So I think it's partly that idea-that it's not for one person to eat in one go.

Plus just not really wanting to eat that much of it anyway.

[Horriblewoman]

@Nospringchickendipper

I don’t like over eating I feel terrible if I do and I also like eating healthy if possible.
Over eating and eating a lot of unhealthy foods really affects me mentally and physically. I would feel tired and lethargic.

Yep this - I hate feeling like I overate (although obviously I do sometimes because at the same time I love food!)

I've also always been someone who can put things back, I can buy a normal chocolate bar and have a square or two and put it in the cupboard. Today I cut a big cookie in two and will have half today and half tomorrow.

I also run almost every day and try to get my steps in as much as possible. I'm a size 10/12 though so it's not like I'm a skinny skinny person.

[Lockheart]

Bluntly, because I don't want to be.

I have a serious sweet tooth, am an inveterate snacker, and struggle with a few different mental health problems. Combined this means that when I'm in a bad period I'll order a lot of takeaways and eat a lot of chocolate / sweets. During lockdown I was eating a lot of crap and I put on a stone and a half.

There is no excuse but my own habits. And I realised I value my health and my looks over my Chinese food, bags of haribo, and chocolate buttons (my Achilles heel!).

I've recently cut down a lot on rubbish (NB - cut down, not cut out), am back in the gym three or four times a week like I was pre-March 2020, and I organise myself at the weekend so I don't have the excuse of lack of time re making lunch or dinners during the working week. I'm also not allowing myself to snack.

I've lost 10lb over the last couple of months and the rest will follow I'm sure.

[PurpleDaisies]

I don’t like how I look when I start to become overweight so I’ve always taken steps to manage it before it’s got out of hand.

It helps that I really enjoy cooking and exercising.

[StrictlyAFemaleFemale]

I have a fast metabolism. I dont eat enough veg but I dont eat much in the way of cakes or chocolate either.

[ThePoisonousMushroom]

I promise obese people don't want to be

That wasn’t really what I meant. The OP asked what stopped people eating until they’re obese, and that’s what stops me. The knowledge that I would be really unhappy if I was overweight.
I was answering for myself.

[Siameasy]

-I do intermittent fasting. My daily window is 16:8 but I usually do a 24hr fast at least once a week and I never eat breakfast. Breakfast is the gateway meal for me. Once the seal is broken, I can’t stop craving food.

I also don’t drink soft drinks - only water or tea. Alcohol is only for nights out.

I’m slim (9st 6 and 5’4”) and have been the same weight for years (I’m 45).

[TheBlackHeart]

I do eat whatever I want most of the time, but I don't overeat. So, I would never consider eating an entire packet of biscuits or anything; I eat about two, and that's it for the day.

Takeaways are a monthly thing (if that) and never more.

I do a lot of exercise; I walk, run, play tennis, go to the gym, go to yoga. I really enjoy exercise, so always do it.

[Nomorefuckstogive]

Interesting question. I like being slim, so I prioritise that over food. I also tend to think of food in terms of nutrition, rather than just taste, so I’d much prefer a veggie stir fry to a plate of chips. I also think that the more healthily you eat, the more healthily you want to eat. I don’t deprive myself of treats, but that’s what they are - not a daily thing, but a once in a while treat. I also move a lot - exercise and stying as flexible as possible are important, so I try to keep active. I am often hungry, though.

[Noavocado]

For me it's simply I want to be healthy and look after my body. I want my kids to have an active Mum who demonstrates healthy behaviour. To be obese would be neglectful to my kids. My wants do not supercede their needs.

[Thefaceofboe]

I’m just very very lucky I don’t put on weight, I’m a size 8 and can eat whatever I want and don’t have to worry about it. I don’t exercise much I wouldn’t say I’m in good shape, but I’m slim. Sometimes I wish I could put weight on as I have a boyish figure.

I even managed to avoid weight gain in pregnancy.

[smoko]

Because bulimia

[DontGiveAFlyingFig]

Being tight! Basically not buying a size bigger in clothes.

I remember talking to my Mum's friend and she had a 'thin wardrobe' and a 'fat wardrobe' I remember thinking WTF & how wasteful that was. I have the clothes I have all the same size, if they get tight I make a concerted effort to eat less and move more.

I'm currently on my belt notch challenge, fun never stops in my house

[wingsandstrings]

I think that the biggest reason that I'm not obese is because during my childhood I ate a very varied and healthy diet - almost no processed food, lots of home cooked food high in pulses, fruit and veg. I think that this sort of 'set' a default for me where this is the kind of food I enjoy, and indeed even 'crave'. It's not will power on my part, it's good fortune, my ideal desert would be fresh mango and passion-fruit in natural yogurt and even the thought of a cheesecake or similar makes me feel rather quesy. I feel bloated and sick when I eat a lot of processed and high sugar food, it isn't a very pleasant experience. I don't have to wait for a decade to see that it's bad for my body, my body clearly tells me that within 20 mins of eating lots of unhealthy stuff. I want to provide the same environment for my kids, so we don't have much processed stuff or unhealthy snacks in the house. (But outside the house unhealthy food is just so ingrained in culture - attached to almost all social activities etc - that it's hard). I wish you well OP.

[Jacobijake]

Nc for this

The genuine reason why I’m not obese anymore is that I’ve had weight loss surgery and I’m so grateful every day that I did it. It’s switched off the addiction/obsession with food in my brain and I realise without it there’s no way I could ever have lost the weight. It’s the only thing that helped me and I tried EVERYTHING.

[RincewindsHat]

Was obese, lost over 7 stones. I had to figure out why I ate, and when I realised any strong emotional state has me reaching for the sugar, I learned to ask myself the question: am I hungry, or do I just want to change the way I feel right now? I also did a bunch of other things, like writing out a daily food plan, learning to meal prep in a way that suited me as I like quick food during the week and won't spend hours cooking, and also journalling to relieve emotional stress.

I've mentioned this podcast on here before, but listen to Corinne Crabtree's Losing 100lbs podcast. The way she teaches weight loss is revolutionary.

[AryaStarkWolf]

I usually want junk food in the evening when I sit down to watch TV so I stopped buying it and having it there in the house, can't eat what isn't there!

[LittleMysSister]

For me it's a combination of being aware of eating too much crap so trying not to have it too often - though I do eat quite a bit! I'm on the chubby side - and, when I do, I just get to the point where my body just doesn't fancy any more, you know?

Like if I'm away for the weekend I might go all out drinking and eating to excess, but after a few days I just don't fancy it anymore. I find myself feeling constantly full, sluggish, tired etc etc.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not paragon of health and am a size 14, but it's these 2 things for me. Knowing I can't just eat whatever I want otherwise I'll gain weight, which I don't want to do, and my body just cutting me off.

[PurpleDaisies]

@Thefaceofboe

I’m just very very lucky I don’t put on weight, I’m a size 8 and can eat whatever I want and don’t have to worry about it. I don’t exercise much I wouldn’t say I’m in good shape, but I’m slim. Sometimes I wish I could put weight on as I have a boyish figure.

I even managed to avoid weight gain in pregnancy.

What do you actually eat though? I wonder if you’re naturally not really eating a lot without thinking about it rather than having some sort of super fast metabolism.

[SirenSays]

Tbh I eat lots of junk and processed food and I'm still slim but it's not all genetics.
I think my biggest things are avoiding triggers, if I watch cooking/baking shows I literally get to the point where I never feel full and will eat and eat.

I also try to recognise the difference between hunger, boredom and emotional eating. If I'm eating endless junk I either need a more substantial meal, to entertain myself or to self soothe in a way that isn't as harmful as a pint of ice cream, three packets of biscuits and a family size bag of haribo.

I found workouts I love and healthy foods I'd choose over junk which was a massive help too.

[Etinoxaurus]

Vanity, genetics, good habits and some disordered eating, which is perhaps not disordered but listening to my body. I don’t have breakfast because I’m not hungry first thing, so I accidentally 16:8 fast.

[TeloMere]

Nospringchickendipper
Over eating and eating a lot of unhealthy foods really affects me mentally and physically. I would feel tired and lethargic...

I'm the same.
Given the choice I'd be gorging on ice cream, chocolate and chips.
I can eat loads of fruit, veg, lean protein and feel fine but feel uncomfortable and tired if I eat processed or the so called unhealthy foods.

[PumpkinPie2016]

I think it's a combination of things for me. I am a teacher so always on my feet and rushing around. When I am at work, I just don't have the time to eat constantly (some days, I struggle to eat my lunch!).

I also find that I am physically unable to eat a lot. If I tried to eat a big tub of ice cream, I'd just be sick.

I don't have a particularly sweet tooth either which helps.

[Dillydollydingdong]

I keep busy, and don't have time to think about eating. I love food, but not too much. I've had porridge for breakfast and a small portion of home made apple crumble for lunch. That's it until dinner. I don't tend to eat between meals. I think the reason is that I'm busy and don't think about food. I might be shopping, driving, or doing housework. The answer is keep busy.

[AnnListersBlister]

@AndTime

I don't want to come across as an arsehole but in blunt terms.

I don't eat those things because I don't want to be obese. I would love to eat a huge lasagne with garlic bread on the side and a lovely desert, but I know its too many calories and I don't want to gain weight.

So mostly I choose healthily and occasionally indulge or have a blow out but within a usually healthy controlled diet.

I came to write similar to this.
I have blowouts at least every couple of weeks where I'll eat out, or cook foods I love. But that's a weekend or a day so 80-90% of the time I'm careful. Low carb combined with calorie counting and/or 5:2.
I do this because I like being slim. I like being slim because I like what comes with that. Feeling good and healthy, nice clothes, vanity really! My partner loving my body even. Perhaps that's sad, but for me it makes me happy.
I put weight on over summer. Just from having too much fun. BBQs and parties meals out and beer gardens.
As soon as I realised, it had to come off. And I'm around a size 10. I like being slim more than I like food?
As per a previous poster though, I can drink until 7 am given the opportunity
But again, if I want a drink i avoid sugary ones.