Cathy - posted on 01/18/2012 ( 108 moms have responded )
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http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/archive/c...
THE SLIM SECRETS
Slim people have slim habits
You may assume that slim people stay that way without any effort, but if you look closely at their lifestyle you will soon find ways they avoid putting on weight. ‘Slim people have habits that have been refined over time until they feel natural,’ says Dr Kingsley. ‘Compare that to an overweight person deciding to go on a diet and trying to change all their habits in one day. No wonder it feels like such hard work and most dieters give up.’
Slim people make their size a priority
‘You might feel that being slim is important to you, but you might not be investing in actually being slim,’ says Dr Kingsley. ‘Being slim without putting in any effort is like expecting a pay cheque when you didn’t turn up for work. Slim people prioritise aspects of their lifestyle that allow them to control their weight, such as doing exercise or planning ahead to prepare healthy food. Being slim doesn’t just happen, you have to make it happen.’
Slim people don’t ignore small changes
To misquote an old saying: keep an eye on the pounds and the stones will look after themselves. ‘Slim people take action as soon as they notice a difference in the way their jeans fit,’ says Dr Kingsley. ‘They know small changes add up, so they actively maintain their weight rather than sitting back and seeing what happens. If a 20-year-old gains weight at the rate of 2lb a year, this will be barely noticeable at first, but by the age of 41 this ‘slim’ person will be 3 stone heavier.’
Slim people stay in balance
The most annoying slim person is the one who meets up with you for dinner and polishes off three courses. Why isn’t she fat? ‘Just because somebody can eat a lot doesn’t mean they usually do,’ says Dr Kingsley. ‘We only see a small part of the picture. Slim people have a good lifestyle balance that enables them to indulge occasionally by compensating in other areas – perhaps by cutting back the next day or doing more exercise. When slim choices form the major part of your lifestyle, you don’t need to feel guilty about the odd ‘non-slim’ choice because they won’t affect your weight.’
Slim people don’t diet
‘Diets can result in fantastic weight loss, but dieting doesn’t reflect our normal lifestyle,’ says Dr Kingsley. ‘And it’s our normal lifestyle that determines our weight. If you only spend two weeks on a diet you’re unlikely to see any significant changes, but if you have a slim lifestyle this should have a huge impact.’ A lifestyle approach is easier to stick to because no food is banned – eat anything you want as long as calories in and calories out stay in balance. Dieting, however, can actually encourage you to gain weight because of the mentality it creates. ‘Spending two weeks slimming for a holiday makes it more likely that you will rebel and overindulge once you are there,’ says Dr Kingsley. ‘Similarly, the knowledge you will be dieting in January can lead you to “stock up” at Christmas. Slim people don’t diet at particular times of the year because they lead a slim lifestyle and are rewarded by a slim body year-round.’
To start with I started reading and thought "bullshit", I've always been slim and never put any effort into achieving it but as I read on I started to agree.
I've never been on a diet in my life. When I did put on some extra weight in my late teens I immediately knew the cause (daily visits to the local fish and chip shop and bakery) and adjusted to packing some lunch before I went to work.
If I go to a restaurant I can easily polish off a three course meal while others look on in horror and wonder where I put it. But the next few days I might not feel hungry so I have the odd snack and one meal and it's plenty to keep me going.
When cooking meals it's automatic for me to add extra fruit or veg to a sauce or as a side.
I excuse my occasional binges as acceptable because I know I will burn off any excess when I'm out walking. I average 30-40 miles a week of hills.
Are there people who are naturally slim? Or are slim people more naturally intuitive to the needs of their bodies?
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