Anonymous wrote:My DH is from another country where people generally don't have weight problems like we do in the US. It has been very eye opening to see the huge cultural differences around food. They eat SO MUCH LESS than we do. Their serving/portion sizes are tiny compared to in the US. They don't heap food on their plates and then go to town on it. They don't put loads of butter, salt, sugar in everything, they put spices to add flavor and they cook with olive oil. They use whole foods instead of processed/packaged, and don't eat meat everyday. They eat a ton of salad, and the dressing will be oil and lemon juice, salt and pepper - nothing with fat. They do have junk food but in moderation. They drink alcohol in very small amounts compared to here - no binging. A Starbucks size "tall" coffee will be the equivalent of a large for them, and it won't be loaded down with cream and sugar. They eat dessert but very small portions and usually not as decadent. Yeah they walk more, but honestly the biggest difference is eating very healthy. I've observed this with my friends, too. Even the ones who are trying to be healthy are eating too much too often. No judgment, I've done the same without knowing there was another option.

DH cooks a lot for us and this mentality is what I credit to keeping me so thin. Whole foods, smaller portions, and everything in moderation. Since I've adopted this mentality about food I am much healthier than I used to be and don't feel deprived at all. it's amazing how much I don't miss the way I used to eat. In fact my palate has changed, and now I can't stand food with too much salt or too processed (still love my sugar, though!). I used to eat junk food every day but now I no longer crave it at all. But it was an adjustment at first, so you have to start slowly.

Please point me to this magical fat-free oil of which you speak.

I meant to say "nothing with bad fat" like ranch, caesar or other creamy dressings. Olive oil contains healthy fat that is necessary in everyone's diet.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am thin and most of it is good genes.

BUT...probably because I've never had a weight problem, I don't obsess over food. I eat when I'm hungry. I eat until I'm full. I never eat huge quantities of anything but don't deprive myself or anything. If I ate a huge breakfast, I eat a smaller lunch. I hardly ever snack but also don't skip meals. Ever.

I don't exercise regularly but I walk a lot in my daily life.

I've had 2 kids and I'm on the wrong side of 40 too. Still holding steady.

I really believe most of it is genes.

+1 This describes me exactly.

Me too except I do snack if I'm hungry. I try to keep it somewhat healthy though -full fat yoghurt, fruit, nuts, chocolate etc.

Anonymous wrote:I am thin and most of it is good genes.

BUT...probably because I've never had a weight problem, I don't obsess over food. I eat when I'm hungry. I eat until I'm full. I never eat huge quantities of anything but don't deprive myself or anything. If I ate a huge breakfast, I eat a smaller lunch. I hardly ever snack but also don't skip meals. Ever.

I don't exercise regularly but I walk a lot in my daily life.

I've had 2 kids and I'm on the wrong side of 40 too. Still holding steady.

I really believe most of it is genes.

+1 This describes me exactly.

Anonymous wrote:My DH is from another country where people generally don't have weight problems like we do in the US. It has been very eye opening to see the huge cultural differences around food. They eat SO MUCH LESS than we do. Their serving/portion sizes are tiny compared to in the US. They don't heap food on their plates and then go to town on it. They don't put loads of butter, salt, sugar in everything, they put spices to add flavor and they cook with olive oil. They use whole foods instead of processed/packaged, and don't eat meat everyday. They eat a ton of salad, and the dressing will be oil and lemon juice, salt and pepper - nothing with fat. They do have junk food but in moderation. They drink alcohol in very small amounts compared to here - no binging. A Starbucks size "tall" coffee will be the equivalent of a large for them, and it won't be loaded down with cream and sugar. They eat dessert but very small portions and usually not as decadent. Yeah they walk more, but honestly the biggest difference is eating very healthy. I've observed this with my friends, too. Even the ones who are trying to be healthy are eating too much too often. No judgment, I've done the same without knowing there was another option.

DH cooks a lot for us and this mentality is what I credit to keeping me so thin. Whole foods, smaller portions, and everything in moderation. Since I've adopted this mentality about food I am much healthier than I used to be and don't feel deprived at all. it's amazing how much I don't miss the way I used to eat. In fact my palate has changed, and now I can't stand food with too much salt or too processed (still love my sugar, though!). I used to eat junk food every day but now I no longer crave it at all. But it was an adjustment at first, so you have to start slowly.

Please point me to this magical fat-free oil of which you speak.

My DH is from another country where people generally don't have weight problems like we do in the US. It has been very eye opening to see the huge cultural differences around food. They eat SO MUCH LESS than we do. Their serving/portion sizes are tiny compared to in the US. They don't heap food on their plates and then go to town on it. They don't put loads of butter, salt, sugar in everything, they put spices to add flavor and they cook with olive oil. They use whole foods instead of processed/packaged, and don't eat meat everyday. They eat a ton of salad, and the dressing will be oil and lemon juice, salt and pepper - nothing with fat. They do have junk food but in moderation. They drink alcohol in very small amounts compared to here - no binging. A Starbucks size "tall" coffee will be the equivalent of a large for them, and it won't be loaded down with cream and sugar. They eat dessert but very small portions and usually not as decadent. Yeah they walk more, but honestly the biggest difference is eating very healthy. I've observed this with my friends, too. Even the ones who are trying to be healthy are eating too much too often. No judgment, I've done the same without knowing there was another option.

DH cooks a lot for us and this mentality is what I credit to keeping me so thin. Whole foods, smaller portions, and everything in moderation. Since I've adopted this mentality about food I am much healthier than I used to be and don't feel deprived at all. it's amazing how much I don't miss the way I used to eat. In fact my palate has changed, and now I can't stand food with too much salt or too processed (still love my sugar, though!). I used to eat junk food every day but now I no longer crave it at all. But it was an adjustment at first, so you have to start slowly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not work outside the home. I teach fitness classes 5 times per week but otherwise am a SAHM.

If you teach a class FIVE times a week, you can't call yourself a SAHM.

Oh. Okay.

Anonymous wrote:I do not work outside the home. I teach fitness classes 5 times per week but otherwise am a SAHM.

If you teach a class FIVE times a week, you can't call yourself a SAHM.

A lot of interesting posts in this growing thread. Here's my deal:

I'm 44 and considered thin by most standards (also petite). I come from a family of relatively small people (hardly any relatives would actually be considered overweight in 2016).

However, I was a big "kid", stocky built...always bigger than other kids my ages in grade school. I think I developed an unhealthy distorted body image at a very early age. This lead to ongoing awareness, dieting, self-consciousness... all though my teen years and beyond. Things only worsened with the inevitable freshman 15. Not long after the birth of my daughter (age 23) I stumbled into the trap of eating disorders...the dreaded bulimia, which would plague me for a terrible 15 years. Oh yeah, I was thin, but sick. I looked terrible (bloodshot eyes, gaunt face, etc..) and no matter what I could do I could not escape it, all attempts seemed to fail. I was dreadfully out of shape too... skinny fat.

In 2008 I finally started to exercise and get a grip on my life, however, couldn't totally recover form the ED. In 2009, I was able to kick the ED forever (cold turkey). I credit strength training, changing my diet, kicking my bad food addictions, and learning to love my new body as the key to success. I eventually started running, something I still do today.

I continue to exercise on a regular basis and make healthy food choices. I am a little obsessive about weighing myself everyday and monitoring where I am. And contrary to what another poster said, I am very happy with my body now. I'm in my 40's and in better shape than I was through my 20's and 30's. Yes, I have areas I would like to improve, but realistically I'm very thankful for where I've been and what it taught me.

My advice to any woman would be to learn to love your body for what it is and accept it. Find some sort of exercise you enjoy and can incorporate into your schedule. Make good choices with food. Don't beat yourself up when you mess up. Get up the next day and start over again. Focus on "feeling good" physically and not worry about how you compare to other people. Also, don't get hung up on "sizes" or what the tag in a pair of jeans says.. Buy stuff that fits and flatters your figure and cut the dang tag out! Feel good, look good, and teach your daughters to do the same!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not work outside the home. I teach fitness classes 5 times per week but otherwise am a SAHM.

You do work outside the home. Don't sell yourself short!

-another fitness instructor who doesn't call herself a SAHM!

I don't understand the 'sell yourself short' comment. Identifying as a SAHM to teaches fitness classes is less than someone who identifies as working at a gym?

I don't think I'm selling myself short. The 5 hours I teach while all 3 kids are in school don't qualify me as a "working Mom" in my books. That's just me, though. It's more of a hobby than a job, and I think that I would be insulting Mom's who work 40 or 50 real hours a week to self identify as one of them. If others want to call themselves working Mom's if they work 5 hours a week, no harm no foul. I mean, I volunteer 5 hours a week too, but would hardly call myself a full time volunteer, either. To each their own.

I stay slim mostly due to genetics and a lifetime of being an athlete. I played sports through college and have a small body type. I'm short and have an athletic frame. I work out 5 days a week at least, for 60 minutes at a minimum, and practice yoga daily, for between 30 and 60 minutes on top of that. I could eat absolutely whatever I wanted and weigh 10 lbs more, or watch what I eat (lower carbs, watch my alcohol intake) and weigh 115 at 5'3. FOr me alcohol is the biggie. When I have drinks I crave carbs and junky food the next day, so I try to really keep it to a minimum (I've noticed this more and more as I've gotten older, so I've started to cut back on drinking).

This is me. I'm 115 but I watch drinking I'm closer to 109. Alcohol makes me binge eat and also get depressed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious, do a majority of you all work outside the home?

Just wondering why you ask - how is that relevant?

I'm the Lindt chocolate PP above who just eats enough not the whole huge bar. I work full time outside the home as does my DH. We have two kids who are 4 and 7. I would eat the same whether I worked outside the home or not though so no idea how this is relevant.

not the poster who asked but, i can see how not working out of the home could impact activity level. SAHM I know have a lot more time to exercise and arae also more active in terms of chasing kids around all day and going for walks

I'm the poster that asked and your comment sums up why I asked.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not work outside the home. I teach fitness classes 5 times per week but otherwise am a SAHM.

You do work outside the home. Don't sell yourself short!

-another fitness instructor who doesn't call herself a SAHM!

I don't understand the 'sell yourself short' comment. Identifying as a SAHM to teaches fitness classes is less than someone who identifies as working at a gym?

I don't think I'm selling myself short. The 5 hours I teach while all 3 kids are in school don't qualify me as a "working Mom" in my books. That's just me, though. It's more of a hobby than a job, and I think that I would be insulting Mom's who work 40 or 50 real hours a week to self identify as one of them. If others want to call themselves working Mom's if they work 5 hours a week, no harm no foul. I mean, I volunteer 5 hours a week too, but would hardly call myself a full time volunteer, either. To each their own.

I stay slim mostly due to genetics and a lifetime of being an athlete. I played sports through college and have a small body type. I'm short and have an athletic frame. I work out 5 days a week at least, for 60 minutes at a minimum, and practice yoga daily, for between 30 and 60 minutes on top of that. I could eat absolutely whatever I wanted and weigh 10 lbs more, or watch what I eat (lower carbs, watch my alcohol intake) and weigh 115 at 5'3. FOr me alcohol is the biggie. When I have drinks I crave carbs and junky food the next day, so I try to really keep it to a minimum (I've noticed this more and more as I've gotten older, so I've started to cut back on drinking).

Anonymous wrote:someone posted upthread something that has been proven by the responses to this thread. the majority of women who are thin (thinner than average) into their 40's are either

a) genetically thin - very thin kids, family is thin etc
or
b) obsessed with keeping thin - restrictive diets, obsessive exercise etc

Third category - not that interested in food. I don't have strong hunger cues. I often eat because it's time, rather than because I'm hungry, then won't eat very much because I'm not that interested. If I'm alone I can easily skip meals without realizing it. Hope that doesn't sound like a brag - thin is not all that attractive without toning.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not work outside the home. I teach fitness classes 5 times per week but otherwise am a SAHM.

You do work outside the home. Don't sell yourself short!

-another fitness instructor who doesn't call herself a SAHM!

I don't understand the 'sell yourself short' comment. Identifying as a SAHM to teaches fitness classes is less than someone who identifies as working at a gym?

A SAHM is a woman with children who doesn't work outside of the home. A woman with a part-time, intermittent, or full-time job is a WOHM. Not here to split hairs (or, God forbid, start an awful DCUM mommy war) - simply want to encourage PP to value the things she does out of the home.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do not work outside the home. I teach fitness classes 5 times per week but otherwise am a SAHM.

You do work outside the home. Don't sell yourself short!

-another fitness instructor who doesn't call herself a SAHM!

I don't understand the 'sell yourself short' comment. Identifying as a SAHM to teaches fitness classes is less than someone who identifies as working at a gym?

I am one of those naturally thin types. Even so, I've gone through periods where I was chubby-namely for about two years after each kid was born, and while I was on an anti anxiety medication.

I may look thin, but I sure could use some toning up, so there's that.