I am a skinny minnie. Its part genetics and part working my ass off/being disciplined. I work out 3-4 times a week, but I work out hard. I lift heavy weights and never with the cardio. I watch what I eat, but that doesn't mean I don't indulge in huge meals or pieces of cake. If I know I will be having a big meal for dinner, I'll save most of my calories for that. Its all about being consistent long term. But, yes I do have to say no a lot: no junky kids food, no donuts at work, no chips my hubby eats. I also make sure I consume about 20-30 grams of protein at every meal, eat lots of veggies and eat healthy low cal carbs.

I have been both. Genetically, I norm out at "plump" . I spent about ten years with an eating disorder and did hyper skinny - for which everyone praised me for, as if it was the single greatest accomplishment of my life -- but I also destroyed my health in the process. My blood levels were so bad they thought I had cancer. I would faint. And it took being pregnant for me to eat again, so I wouldn't kill the baby. Afterwards, my body can no longer tolerate being unfed - I don't get 'hungry' and feel it, but I just shut down if I haven't eaten in a while. I can no longer do the things that got me skinny in the first place. I'm also 50 now, and I moved into the "I can't worry about that" stage of life, so now I eat -- not excessively, but I can't fixate on every damn bite of food that goes in - and of course I have normed back to plump. But at least I don't pass out any more.

Anonymous wrote:I'm 34 and have had an eating disorder since I was 17. Obviously not bragging but answering honestly. Most people would probably never know, I hide it well. I've had friends comment about how lucky I am that I eat what I eat and remain skinny. I had DH fooled for years.

Yes, it took me several years to figure out that my mother's "secret" was actually that she was bulimic. I used to hear her throwing up like all the time when I was growing up and she has basically had all her teeth replaced with implants, but she's really proud of her figure! Makes me wonder what else we don't know about those close to us

Anonymous wrote:Most naturally skinny people eat less than fat people. They have extremely sensitive hunger cues and the biggest secret: they HATE feeling too full. The naturally thin people that say they eat whatever they want are telling the truth, it’s just that they eat much smaller portions than average adults. Dieting makes you obsess over food you can and can’t eat, so learning to eat very little delicious food makes you eventually “naturally” thin.

This is my observation as well. The thin people I know just eat less. Most are not depriving themselves, they just feel full faster.

I am heavy and hate the feeling of being hungry. I'd rather feel slightly "too full" than a little bit hungry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Google says Kate Middleton is 5’ 9” and 199 pounds. Wonder if that weight is accurate?

No, I don’t think Kate Middleton is 200 lbs.

I'm sure her weight fluctuates, when you are tall, there is more room for the pounds to spread out (and she seems to have a body type where the weight distributes itself very evenly, which is helpful). All that being said, my guess is that she never veers over 139 and that she is frequently in the 125-130 range. She seems pretty muscular which is why I think she is closer to 130 than 120.

Anonymous wrote:I am genetically skinny & it sucks. It's hard for me to get strong enough to do my sports, I eat all the time. I also have to listen to people :"OMG, are you anorexic?!" " I wish I could be so skinny!" And my favorite: "You'd be really good looking if you gained some weight."

Dunno why you'd want this.

Are you kidding?

I have been very overweight my whole life. My whole family is very overweight. And with that all of the relate health issues.

It took my breath away when one day I saw a very thin friend posting yet again about the huge meal she was having. She is a huge eater but is tiny. I realized that for luck of the draw, I could have had her totally different life. A life not feeling constantly ashamed and guilty about my body and everything I eat. Life is really not fair.

Most naturally skinny people eat less than fat people. They have extremely sensitive hunger cues and the biggest secret: they HATE feeling too full. The naturally thin people that say they eat whatever they want are telling the truth, it’s just that they eat much smaller portions than average adults. Dieting makes you obsess over food you can and can’t eat, so learning to eat very little delicious food makes you eventually “naturally” thin.

I am genetically skinny & it sucks. It's hard for me to get strong enough to do my sports, I eat all the time. I also have to listen to people :"OMG, are you anorexic?!" " I wish I could be so skinny!" And my favorite: "You'd be really good looking if you gained some weight."

Dunno why you'd want this.

I know many ultra thin women. I am not. They will say they eat everything and just work out daily or 3x/week. I hear them be flippant about their habits but I see them eating just a few bites and repetitively asking their kids if they're full. They are also like hummingbirds always moving. One lady said she doesn't work out that much but another person pointed out.they see them running the neighborhood daily and I see them taking huge steps on a short wall while they watch their kids play. I do envy that drive and don't mean to put them down but most of them lie about what they do. Now regular skinny people can say they don't do much and I believe it and see it, its genetic! KM skinny is hard work and high self control (which while beneficial correlates to other negative personality aspects but thats another thread)

KM is 5’10 and looks like 115 or 120 lbs. she’s scrawny

genetics and naturally not being very hungry/having good built in hunger cues. There is a thin woman in a workout group I am in and she is trying to put on muscle/bulk and she has an incredibly hard time eating 1800 calories. It's a huge struggle for her because she gets full quickly. I, on the other hand, could easily hit 1800 cal/day and still be asking what's for diner/dessert.

I am skinny but it is not genetic. If I ate like a regular person, I would no doubt gain weight because of my genetics. It is 100% a choice and a commitment to keep my weight at a certain level. If I didn't watch what I eat and exercise, I would be 10 pounds heavier.

My diet is based on low glycemic fruits (any kind of berry), tons of vegetables and salad greens (5-6 servings a day), nuts, chia seeds, homemade popcorn, meats (chicken, beef, pork, shrimp), olive oil, and dairy (plain yogurt, cheese, eggs, cream for my coffee). I don't touch soda, juice, bread, sugar, or high glycemic foods. I rarely drink. I will gain weight quickly if I drink alcohol. When I want something sweet, I eat a square of dark chocolate. If I eat low glycemic foods, I can control my hunger.

I also don't eat after 7pm. I try to fast for 12-14 hours overnight before having a meal.

I exercise for 60+ minutes 5-6 days a week.

I simply do not like the way I look when I am heavier and don't like the way it makes me feel. I am a better parent, spouse, friend, and colleague when I take care of myself, eat healthy, and exercise.

Vegan during the week and no refined sugar, intermittent fasting, exercise 4-5 times per week

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All these "it's genetic" posts are just evidence that how much you weigh is not a reflection of how disciplined, responsible, moral, whatever, you are. It's not a sign that you have more willpower or self-control. It's just the luck of the draw.

I agree with this - genetically thin person

I think like intelligence and so many other things - it's mostly luck of the draw, with a little wiggle room for what you do with what you've got

Anonymous wrote:All these "it's genetic" posts are just evidence that how much you weigh is not a reflection of how disciplined, responsible, moral, whatever, you are. It's not a sign that you have more willpower or self-control. It's just the luck of the draw.

I agree with this - genetically thin person