Possibly silly but not intended to insult anyone question about being naturally slim-ish

[madamez]

I'm asking because I'm writing a story and the main character is a size 12 but not a mad exercise/diet fanatic. What sort of exercise and how much of it would a person have to do to maintain a reasonable size 12 figure in her late 20s if she likes a drink or two and isn't keen on restrictive diets?

If she's always been that shape or thereabouts, then I'd say - nothing. No diet, no exercise, not even any smoking. But not greatly interested in food - eg able to skip a meal without thinking about it if doing something else interesting.

Would be very different I guess if the person were now a size 12 having been very different size(s) in childhood/teens - or if the person isn't a standard height etc.

I am still a size 12 in my (late) 30s; although my shape has changed in the last few years, my size hasn't. I eat what I want but don't drink much at all and my only exercise is walking (no car). So, providing she's not eating McCrap every night, she probably wouldn't have to do much to maintain size 12.

I'd say having no food issues, and having a good metabolism are key. Then there's no need for fanatic dieting and exercising to maintain weight.

I am early 30s, am somewhere between size 8 and 12 on different parts of my body and don't do anything to help this .

I don't excersise, i do drink, i never diet, and I am a sz 10.

for me I think that I must have a pretty good metabolism, so genetics must play a part in a way, as they do in eye color/boob size/general shape etc (shape being pear/apple/boy shaped).

I also think that stress levels must play a part too.....when I am under a lot of stress I lose weight......when relaxd I gain.

I am however fairly active with regards to the amount of general running about I do, as I am forever ferrying the children about and doing jobs for DH etc....as well as the housework which is a good calorie burner.....and the sex life burns calories too

Size 10, don't diet, have to eat regularly but (low bp) I don't eat lots of crap and I walk everywhere and do a bit of yoga.
Cannot face the day without breakfast though, and don't force myself to finish a plate of food if I'm full up.

I am 5'9, size 12, and in my 30s. I do drink, I don't diet and do moderate amounts of exericise and have never smoked. Have been a 12 since I was 20 although shape changed after having ds.

Like psychomum I think that I stay a 12 because I am always on my feet - I can be a bit manic at times - and do not like to lounge around. I also always, always,always eat breakfast lunch and dinner - I can NOT skip a meal, but I tend to not eat snacks in between (cos other than mealtimes I just don't think about it). I think this regular pattern keeps my metabolism going, maybe... who knows. We are all different.

Also having a very very active 3 year old helps...

And I walk the dog every day!

I'm late 20s (well, 30 ) and a reasonable size (10/)12. I drink maybe a bottle of wine in a week - spread out, not all at once - nd not always. I eat healthily but normally. What really helps is I walk. No idea how much exactly but usually several km a day.

THat's cool, thank you all so much (cos it really wouldn't fit with the personality of the character to have her fussing about going to the gym every day...)

Am severly allergic to the gym, all those sweating bodies, staring at themselves in the mirror

I'm a natural size 8 and always have been.

I don't have a sweet tooth though, so don't really go in for chocolate or cakes. I can't even eat a whole chocolate bar as it's far too sickly. I do crave savoury stuff however.

I never have a pudding after tea. I don't snack on biscuits, I'd rather have crisps.

I do walk a lot. We go walking every weekend and I park half a mile away from where I work and walk there and back every day.

Sometimes I miss meals, when I'm feeling down I just don't eat. At all.

So not a very healthy size 8. Does that help?

Your character could miss meals? If she drinks and has a hangover she could miss a proper meal that day.

I like drinking too, 'tis my favourite hobby. Mainly wine, but also pints of Guinness. I reckon if you had my diet and missed out the exercise you'd be a size 12.

I'm naturally slim I put it down to genetics, my Dad is a slim/athletic build.

Genetics I do think is important, I come from a family of not very chunky people, even my dad is quite lithe and he's nearing 70.

My dad looks like he's 9 months pregnant, he's also very short with fair hair. My mother is also fair, short and plump.

I hope, I really do hope, that one day I'll find those adoption papers!

lol @ rhubarb!

maybe you are a 'throwback'

Hi i am an 8 waist 10 top.... and totally unfit and do no exercise. Well apart from running around after ds and gardening. Have never had to diet but do miss meals from time to time (hate to admit it but because i forget to eat) so maybe i just dont have a huge appetite. i rarely drink these days either although used to in my 20's.... lots! good luck with the story.

Hmmmmm, at my thinnest 1 year after having ds, I was a size 6 - just from the sheer unceasing activity of life at home with a demanding baby. I basically never stopped moving whilst awake.

Now that I am back at work (desk job), I'd say I am a healthier size 8.

I always eat what I want (adore food) and snack continuously. No exercise beyond the commute and childcare/housework outside of work. I'd say genetics.

i am 12 at 40 in 20's despite 3 babies wa 10
i never excercise and eat ok but not uber healthy

I'm a size 12, am nearly 40. Been this size for years,although shape changed after having dd.
I don't diet and eat fair amounts of crap!
I do exercise though - cycle to work (7miles each way) 3 days a week,plus I often cycle 20 miles or so on my day off. I go to the gym once a week too.

I am 35, have 3 children (6, 5 and 3) and am size 8-10. I'm probably half a stone heavier post-children than I was pre-children and my shape has changed very, very slightly but basically I've got the same, slim figure as I always had. I don't have a huge appetite but I eat chocolate and full fat milk on cereal - I don't turn down food because it's calorific and I haven't done any structured exercise for months.

I don't know - I must just be built this way!

Yes, weight may stay off because I'm running here, there adn everywhere after the kids???