Slim people -what’s your secret?

[Bettyboop82]

Just as the title says really... do you think it’s your metabolism, lifestyle, activity levels or attitude to food? I’m not one for dieting and don’t have a massive amount to lose (maybe a stone) But would like to make long term changes tiny biscuit and toast fuelled life!

I lost 2 stone a year or so ago and have kept it off, largely through changes in how / how much I eat. I’d already been doing a lot of exercise, which was great for my mental and physical health, but had a longstanding binge eating problem, which have been working on. Still working on it! I don’t calorie count and try not to restrict too much, and eat well eg veg. Avoid foods high in cals/low in nutrition.

Meal planning for the whole family has been great, actually. Reduces decision making/impulses!

@QueenOllie that must be a miserable, I'm sorry

Consciously making good choices. I choose to eat things that have nutritional value as opposed to "empty calories" like biscuits. Its because feel a million times better when I'm eating well. I also eat a wide variety of things. It helps that I like to cook.

I've also always suffered from anxiety and exercise keeps the anxiety quiet. Its like pushing a magic button for me and I feel it terribly if I dont manage any, even in a few days.

@YerAWizardHarry hopefully they will increase my thyroxine to more than a homeopathic dose soon and I can eat more!

Regular weighing of myself or at least checking my reflection in the mirror to see if I have put on weight.

If I have, I do the 5:2 for a day or two or perhaps miss a meal or two. So after a weekend involving a big dinner on Saturday and a big Sunday lunch, I would skip Sunday breakfast and Sunday evening meal. I don't tend to let myself put on more than about four pounds so I can get the excess off fairly quickly.

In less sociable weeks, I watch what I eat and I exercise vigorously. And I don't drink during the week. For me there is no magic bullet, just constant, boring vigilance and, yes, depriving myself of things I like such as lots of cheese, chocolate and cake. We don't have the latter two in the house most of the time so that temptation is removed.

It is worth it, though.

I think educating yourself on how many calories are actually in food and what portion sizes are meant to be is massively important, I wish I'd been taught this at school or by my parents.

The amount of pasta, rice etc that you're actually supposed to eat in one sitting is way smaller than I ever expected, but it does fill you up - for me there's been a mental block of feeling like it doesn't LOOK like enough food, but after eating I am full so it's just adjusting that mindset.

Logging with MFP and checking new foods for their calorie content so I know it for future has been really helpful for me, I've lost two stone in the past three months and I'm feeling so much better about myself! I haven't cut anything specific out, just being aware of what I'm eating now - making sure if I want a chocolate bar I budget for it. Not as fun, but I honestly feel so much better about my body now it's been so worth it for me!! My friends have all gotten jealous of my new bod and started doing the same now 💪🏻😂💕

Luck
Good metabolism and genetics
Lack of interest in food and cooking
Small appetite
Don't drive

I've never been on a diet, eat as I please, never been to a gym or personal trainer

I’ve always been slim, BMI around 20-21 , apart from during and after pregnancy (put on 3.5 stone with each of 3 kids). I love food, but I’m that if I eat too much I put on weight, so I weigh myself regularly and cut down if I have put on a couple of lbs. I try and eat foods that I know are good for your long term health.

I aim to eat half a plate of veg with lunch and dinner, quarter plate carbs, quarter of protein and a bit of fat. I try to include lots of fruit, veg, nuts, seeds & pulses in my diet each day and enjoy feeling healthy.

The main way I stay slim is by being very active. I run, lift weights or walk daily and am careful to keep kcals around 2000. I don’t count kcals carefully but if I need to lose a bit I do log them on MFP.

I try to eat 3 good meals and snack only on healthy snacks. Typical day is:
Greek yog & berries
Coffee
Big salad with chicken or a wrap with halloumi & veg for lunch
1 piece of toast with peanut butter/Some cheese and an apple for snack
Dinner: something like chilli with loads of veg & a bit of rice (say a small handful). Often 1 small glass of wine.
Some dark chocolate
I never do fad diets or reduce calories too low, and I find that because I am very active low carbs doesn’t work as I get too tired.

If I feel like eating pizza and cake one day I do and enjoy it, but I do try to eat healthy food the following day and the majority of the time I would pick other things.

Also only ever drink water, coffee and tea, never soft drinks or juice. And wine! But try not to have more than a glass 3 or 4 nights a week.

I also eat big enough portions for main meals so I don’t need to snack much.

I used to run a lot and was always slim to varying degrees. I ran a few marathons and was 8st 12 when I became pregnant (I'm 5'6). I'm now 10st 2lb but trying to loose a few more pounds. It's simple really...I realised I was slugging DD's whole milk or DPs chocolate milk every time I went to the fridge, eating DD's meal leftovers and too many biscuits due to boredom. We also get white bread for DD and it's the devil!

Low carb works for me when I feel too chunky, use my fitnesspal to measure calories, and stay between 50-100g of carbs per day, plus regular exercise. Low carb is suprisingly easy after a couple of days.