Thin Women: How Do You Do It

[Anonymous]

Everyone gets fat if they eat too much and don't exercise. There's nothing genetic about that. True, there are outliers who can't gain weight or lose weight despite what they eat but they are the exception, not the rule.

As far as the Brits - yes, any person that eats like a typical American nowadays and refuses to leave the couch will get fat.

Not accurate. Everyone's body has a set point and without something seriously disrupting that set point, a body will fight like mad to stay where it is. They've done studies trying to get thin people to gain weight and keep it on. Curiously, it's as difficult to do that as it is to get a fat body to lose weight and keep it off. But enjoy the sanctimony - it feels good, right?

Personally, I enjoy hearing about people who just get full on half a plate. It's like hearing a first hand account of riding a unicorn.

I don't think that PPs are arguing that there is no "set point" - just that it is set by each individuals' habits, background, upbringing, etc. not their "genes." That doesn't mean losing weight is easy, just that weight gain is not inevitable. From everything I've read, though there is some genetic component to weight, it is minimal. See e.g. http://healthland.time.com/2013/07/19/news-genes-idd-in-obesity-how-much-of-weight-is-genetic/. And note that the below quote is from a scientist studying and highlighting the genetic component:

“Thus far mutations in about eight genes are known to cause obesity in humans. But these mutations account for

under five percent

of the obesity in our society, and certainly are not, by themselves, responsible for the current obesity epidemic, since the mutation rate in these genes could not have changed dramatically during the past twenty years,” says Dr. Joseph Majzoub, the chief of the division of endocrinology at Boston Children’s Hospital and an author on the Science paper. “However, mutations in these genes have led to the discovery of pathways that are important in energy balance in humans, giving us hope that drugs can be developed that affect these pathways to prevent excessive weight gain, either by curbing appetite or increased burning of calories.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I absolutely believe this. I have always been a normal weight but if I go on vacation, for example, where we are just eating and lots of rich and decadent foods that I would normally eat once in a while but there I'd be eating day in and day out, at first, I would get nauseated by SO MUCH FOOD. But over time, I think your body somehow adjusts and that becomes your new normal. But this is the thing that I think many overweight people don't really "get" - the same thing happens in reverse. Thus, if you are used to eating SO MUCH FOOD, but spend a few weeks or a month adjusting back down to normal portion sizes, your body/hunger cues will also adjust and you will not feel hungry. I constantly hear people accusing normal weight people of "starving themselves" and "being hungry all the time" when, in fact, you just don't need as much food to feel full in that state. I think a case can be made for this phenomenon.

+1. I think this is absolutely the key. And explains why when Americans spend significant time in another country, they often "naturally" shed weight as they adjust to smaller portions.

When you are heavier, you eat to maintain that body weight, which will translate into a fairly high daily calorie intake. If you diet, of course you will feel hungry because you are eating less than you need to maintain. I agree though that you can reset what your "normal" intake is as your weight goes down, and there is less to maintain. It takes some time - a month or more of being truly hungry, but it is not impossible. The residual desire to eat more I think is mostly habit and culture - not genetic - again you only have to look at what happens to overweight people when they are in a different place or different routine. I think the genetic component is the small but significant variance in metabolism: different people of similar height/sex/activity who eat 1600 cals may end up nonetheless at different weights - which is totally unfair. But I don't buy that Americans are just "genetically" programed to eat more - again, just compare to almost every other country/cultures where average weight is statistically far lower (anecdotes about portly Brits aside).

+2. If I go on a binge (usually while travelling in the states or during blizzards...), my stomach gets accustomed to eating much more food. So, I have to purposefully reduce portion sizes for a few days, which does leave me a little hungry. But after a few days, I'm used to it, and I don't want to eat more. I'm not hungry at all. I'm perfectly happy. And thin. It isn't genetic. It is just making sure that I don't stretch out my stomach so much that I crave the same quantity next time.

[Anonymous]

Slightly off topic but why can't all these "from Europe" posters just go ahead mention the actual country? There are obviously huge differences depending on location and I doubt revealing the country's name will identify you.

[Anonymous]

I've always been fairly slim - 5'4" and for a long time was in the mid-120's. I've always been conscious of my eating habits and honestly do not like fast food, or too many sweets. After having my children I found that I was hovering in the mid-130s so did a low-carb thing for a while and to my surprise lost 20 lbs. It was a pretty strict diet. I continue those habits now and my weight stays right around 115. I really don't indulge much. I have oatmeal or a smoothie for breakfast, a salad w/ protein for lunch, and a small-portion dinner. I drink some wine but no beer or mixed drinks. Snacks are usually fruit or raw nuts. If I notice a few pounds have crept on after the holidays or a vacation, I cut back. I don't feel deprived, and I really like the way I feel & look. I exercise moderately/erratically.

[Anonymous]

Most thin women don't have to think or work at it. They are that way naturally. They naturally don't overeat. Me, I have to manage and think about eating every day to keep from gaining weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
+2. If I go on a binge (usually while travelling in the states or during blizzards...), my stomach gets accustomed to eating much more food. So, I have to purposefully reduce portion sizes for a few days, which does leave me a little hungry. But after a few days, I'm used to it, and I don't want to eat more. I'm not hungry at all. I'm perfectly happy. And thin. It isn't genetic. It is just making sure that I don't stretch out my stomach so much that I crave the same quantity next time.

PP who gets full easily again.

I think genes may have something to do with it. My mother was put on the "drinking man's diet" when she was pregnant with me b/c she was not gaining enough weight. As a child my parents were told to make me eat peanut butter every day so I would pack on the pounds, b/c I was "too thin". Just got back from the ped's last week, and my daughter is in the 5th percentile for weight. She is very healthy, eats excellent food, is very active, but she is so, so thin.

I look at other girls her age (9) and there is such a wide range of bodies and weights, how can this not be somewhat genetic? Of course diet accounts for a lot, but I ate like crap through my teens and twenties and had a BMI of less than 18. (At 45, it is now 19.5)

[Anonymous]

Question to all you thin women: do you feel you get treated a lot better because of your figure? I've never been there so wondering if the societal perks are that considerable they keep skinny womens' high discipline going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question to all you thin women: do you feel you get treated a lot better because of your figure? I've never been there so wondering if the societal perks are that considerable they keep skinny womens' high discipline going.

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question to all you thin women: do you feel you get treated a lot better because of your figure? I've never been there so wondering if the societal perks are that considerable they keep skinny womens' high discipline going.

OMG. Absolutely. Yes. I have been heavy twice (first yet of college) and after pregnancy-- and by "heavy" I mean 20lbs over my normal. And I felt invisible both times. I lost weight and presto chango back to living a pretty nice life of perks.

I also really love fashion and dress well. I think the combination of a slim figure+ always looking out together = much better treatment everywhere I go. I mean, I get special treatment at restaurants, free stuff here and there, expedited service, and genrally folks really try hard to make my life better.

That's the case when I'm overweight and dress shabby.

Skinny + dress well has worked wonders for my personal life and career. They always say dress for the job you want. I was able to SAHM for 6 years doing nothing professionally. Within a year of being back at work, I was promoted to a very high political position (appointee). I credit my smarts (of course), but don't discredit how much my dress and manner play a role.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always been fairly slim - 5'4" and for a long time was in the mid-120's. I've always been conscious of my eating habits and honestly do not like fast food, or too many sweets. After having my children I found that I was hovering in the mid-130s so did a low-carb thing for a while and to my surprise lost 20 lbs. It was a pretty strict diet. I continue those habits now and my weight stays right around 115. I really don't indulge much. I have oatmeal or a smoothie for breakfast, a salad w/ protein for lunch, and a small-portion dinner. I drink some wine but no beer or mixed drinks. Snacks are usually fruit or raw nuts. If I notice a few pounds have crept on after the holidays or a vacation, I cut back. I don't feel deprived, and I really like the way I feel & look. I exercise moderately/erratically.

How old are you, and what are your pleasures in life?

I am 50, and love food, wine and sex. I will never be thin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always been thin - my fathers side of the family is tallish and thin. I'm in my late 40's and have gained some weight because I eat more junk and (honestly my adolecent son drives me to eat ice cream). If I stuck to my regular eating habits I'd bounce right back to thin. I have also never been a big eater.

Example: I went to happy hour yesterday and one of my coworkers had a huge appetizer, supper fatty she just chomped on it and 2 sugary drinks she's a big girl I was like ... what???? I was very happy with my tequila, I went home and had a small bowl of soup for dinner.

Sometimes I wonder if you were always skinny as a child does that carry over into adulthood???

I used to eat 4 to 6 slices of pepperoni pizza when I was a teenager. I was never heavy until my mid 30s, but I've always liked to eat and always been a big eater. Would you describe yourself as passionate?

[Anonymous]

5'6" 174 pounds

Breakfast was coffee and a bagel with peanut butter.

Lunch was a Subway sandwich, chips and tea

Dinner will be bar appetizers and a couple glasses of wine.

I love my life!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question to all you thin women: do you feel you get treated a lot better because of your figure? I've never been there so wondering if the societal perks are that considerable they keep skinny womens' high discipline going.

OMG. Absolutely. Yes. I have been heavy twice (first yet of college) and after pregnancy-- and by "heavy" I mean 20lbs over my normal. And I felt invisible both times. I lost weight and presto chango back to living a pretty nice life of perks.

I also really love fashion and dress well. I think the combination of a slim figure+ always looking out together = much better treatment everywhere I go. I mean, I get special treatment at restaurants, free stuff here and there, expedited service, and genrally folks really try hard to make my life better.

That's the case when I'm overweight and dress shabby.

Skinny + dress well has worked wonders for my personal life and career. They always say dress for the job you want. I was able to SAHM for 6 years doing nothing professionally. Within a year of being back at work, I was promoted to a very high political position (appointee). I credit my smarts (of course), but don't discredit how much my dress and manner play a role.

I like your honesty. This is what motivates me, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question to all you thin women: do you feel you get treated a lot better because of your figure? I've never been there so wondering if the societal perks are that considerable they keep skinny womens' high discipline going.

Probably. Certainly no one judges me or makes comments if I eat a cookie or candy in public, or about the contents of my shopping cart, which I know happens to heavier women. I have a very heavy friend who refuses to eat in public b/c people feel free to make comments to her.

IMO, the biggest perk of being thin is that clothing is easier to find and hangs better. Even if I put on five pounds, a lot of my clothes look bulgy on me.

[Anonymous]

I hate grocery shopping because I do see people looking in cart and it's annoying. I mainly have meat, fruit and veggies but still. It's rude in an indirect way.