14 Easy Habits That Make Me A Naturally Thin Person
I’ve been a thin person throughout my life and always get asked how I do it. I’m a 40 year old mom of 4 and for most of my life I really wasn’t sure what I was doing differently than anyone else.
Comments I hear:
- You must spend a ton of time in the gym!
- You must never eat.
- What’s your secret?
- How can you eat that and be so thin? It’s not fair
- You must have good genes.
The confusing part was confusing I didn’t feel like I was doing anything different than everybody else.
In no way do I feel being thin is better than not being thin. Thinner does not mean happier or even healthier. Being healthy and happy can come in different sizes. My hope is by reading this you will be given a shift in mindset and be given a truly rewarding life regardless your size. Weight loss will be much easier with that shift.
I have read similar articles about “habits of skinny girls” and their “secrets” and I usually disagree with 90% of the list. It’s frustrating to me knowing that anyone looking to lose weight will be let down when those habits don’t work for them.
Weight gain and antidepressants
There was a time body gained a bunch of unwanted weight when I started taking an antidepressant. Weight gain and getting that weight off was new to me. I tried limited calories and exercising a ton because that’s what is marketed as how one loses weight. When that didn’t work I tried cutting out all carbs, then thought maybe I have a problem with wheat? ?
I was frustrated and confused.
There are options for antidepressant medications that are not supposed to be weight gainers but that didn’t work for me. I thought if I just got off the medication the extra weight would go away, but that didn’t work either.
I totally get the frustration that comes from not losing weight, and keeping it off, when you are following the plan you believe appears to be making everyone else thinner.
I then had to remember that I am a “naturally thin” person, as they say. I bet most of you reading this had a time when you were a thinner person as well. I had to remember that when I was thinner I never had strict rules for myself. I had to go back in my mind and remember my habits, how I lived, my beliefs, and emotions I had as someone who never “had” to think about dieting.
I then started to look at myself through different, less judgmental, eyes. The extra pounds I gained made my clothes uncomfortable and not fit anymore. Through these new eyes I started to realize my body actually looked better with this extra weight, however I still felt uncomfortable in my clothes and looked different in pictures, reminding me I wasn’t who I once was… or was I?
Of course I am the same person I was when I was thinner. It’s crazy that I bought into the belief that something was wrong with me or that I have less value at a different size, but these thoughts creep in.
As soon as I remembered who I was and the amazing value I possess (that we all have) the weight started to fall off. When I tapped into my inner healthy thin me, I was able to remember how I felt and how I lived. The feeling was more important than anything else. It was a feeling that I know I am a bad ass. I remembered what it felt like to have to the energy and endurance that you would imagine you gain from being physically fit.
Defeated no more
This new insight didn’t happen over night, there wasn’t a major “Ah Ha” moment I can recall. My body didn’t change visibly nor did my life circumstances change for the better. The change in me was slow, the difference I noticed first was that I didn’t feel defeated.
Feeling defeated and helpless started to dissolve over time as I started making tiny shifts in what I ate or how I spent my time. Spending more time doing things that felt good and being successful at those things helped fuel my confidence and helped me keep the feeling that I am a successful person.
Even if my success for the day was putting the dishes in the dishwasher and wiping down the countertop, I did it as though I was being paid a top salary for my amazing skill. This isn’t meant to feel like a joke. Do whatever it is you do with confidence and know that you are in control of your success even if it’s putting away your toothbrush instead of leaving it lie on the countertop.
Procrastinating and doing things halfway will get your half way results. Practicing being the best at little things sparks confidence.
What Other “Skinny Rule” lists say that don’t match up to me:
- Drink a lot of water- Really? Water? That’s going to make someone “naturally thin”? Fill up on water?
- Have a good workout schedule- Thin people are not super human. Life has ups and downs, schedules and good intentions can fall through the cracks just like for anyone else.
- Eat only Whole Foods- Yes and No- I’ll clarify below
- Eat in moderation- This concept can be confusing. Would you eat rat poison in moderation? I don’t have a “bad” food list and how much is a moderate amount?
- Thin people don’t eat emotionally. – Because we are all robots? Maybe?
- Eat very few calories- Nope
- Never skip breakfast- Breakfast is my least favorite meal and time to eat.
What financially successful people do that resonates with me as a thin person. I believe these things can be created and cultivated in all of us.
The question is– Do you believe this successful person is in you? Like the baby that had to fall many times before she walked, as adults we to need to keep going toward our goal in order to develop new strong neuro-pathways in our brains.
Brain Changes
It’s takes tiny baby steps. Our brains can’t allow us to become expert pianists in a month or speak a second language fluently in a matter of a few weeks. It’s no different with weight loss. Trying to force losing too much weight too fast is more than our brains can keep up with.
This should come as a relief but it may be frustrating because we want it now! Summer is just a few weeks away! Know that making tiny changes a little at a time will allow your body and emotions to adjust easier and will be longer lasting because our brains take time to accept new ways.
Like how water chooses the path of least resistance, our brain has solid connections surrounding our habits and beliefs towards food. However, new paths can be cut and become the stronger, more solid pathways, especially if this path helps all your body’s systems run more efficiently.
Practice:
Practice your chosen new small habit a little at a time knowing you are on the right path. Knowing you are on the right path helps keep the light on figuratively. The light allows you to feel now the good feelings and live the life you know you deserve.
Believe it or not, once you start claiming your life you may find that how thin you are may not be something you truly value as a priority taking up so much space in your head.
These are things I do as a naturally thin person, they may not be the end all secret you are after. Something here may resonate, but you will find what it is for you from within you as you continue your efforts.
The following are traits of mine:
Being hungry Feels Bad
Feeling hungry is uncomfortable, so I eat when I’m hungry. I do have cravings but I know the difference between the two. I know if I give in to all my cravings I will not feel good so it isn’t worth it.
If you are an emotional eater I suggest first getting help from a professional. On-line Therapy May be a great option for you. Not only will you have a professional with skills to help you overcome what is at the root of your problem but you can have them at your fingertips with chatting when you need it.
It can be good to have someone like a spouse or family member but if you feel like you’ve become a burden to them and you’ve quit sharing how you are feeling please consider a professional.
When our minds are too bogged down with grief, pain, depression or whatever you are dealing with we can become numb to how our body feels physically. It can be hard to pay attention to the subtle signals your body is sending you.
As you gain better confidence in your mental health you will be able be better at eating intuitively.
Being Full is Painful
This is one thing my body is very good at. I have a very strong “Full” signal. I believe this can be developed with time.
The antidepressant medication I was on numbed this “Full” sensation which caused me to not know when to stop eating. I had to work to get this signal back so I know it can be done.
What may start out as a small subtle signal can soon turn into a powerful alarm. Stop eating before that alarm goes off, because when that alarm goes off you stomach is telling you it’s stuffed, uncomfortable, and unhappy. Eating this way will give you more energy because less of your energy will be sucked into digesting all the food.
I do overeat at times and it’s always a great reminder of why I don’t like to eat too much.
I eat what I like
Luckily I like foods that are good for my body. I don’t eat a lot of processed foods. I wasn’t raised eating chips or Cheetos and those types of snacks. I do think they are tasty but eating too much makes me feel pretty gross, unlike eating a lot of something like watermelon.
Start to pay close attention to how foods make you feel. I’ve had to cut foods out that I liked but were making me bloated, for example. Make tiny changes at a time. You can get rid of breads that have no nutritional value and eat something with whole grains instead and see if that helps you digest food better instead of completely eliminating all carbs. Small shifts will have big impacts.
Being Bloated is Not Normal.
If you eat processed food all the time you may not recognize the negative side effects because we become used to the feelings we get from eating it. When you start eating more vegetables and fruits in their natural state you may start to notice how truly bland and unsatisfying prepackaged foods are.
I don’t have a Meal Plan or Rules
I like the idea of being a meal planner but don’t believe that is a habit for all healthy people. As you are learning to eat more intuitively planning your meals with certain do’s and don’ts that you are experimenting with is a good idea.
Start wherever you are at. Introduce a few new vegetables to try each week, add them to recipes you already love, but I suggest keeping your ingredient lists simple. Simple meals will help you be able to pay close attention to how those foods make you feel.
In time you will be able to identify the foods that make you feel good, sleep better, and give you energy, versus ones that make you feel sluggish or bloated.
I love the book French Women Don’t Get Fat. It describes perfectly how to enjoy really decedent foods and stay skinny doing it.
It takes time for this change to happen but you will begin to feel better and better along the way. The good feelings that come should be the goal, how your body looks will begin to change as a result.
Night Owls can be thin Too!
It’s easy to find how successful people get up early and have amazing morning routines. Night owls get a bad rap. I’ve never been a morning person my whole entire life.
My brain is creative and productive at night. It’s an amazing quiet time where so much can be accomplished.
Early morning routines are great if you can do that but nights are where it’s at for me. Ever go to a gym at night past 8 or even 10pm? It’s a great time to go! You’ll have so much space to yourself. If you are self conscious about being in a gym, try going late at night!
Real Jeans
I’m a product of the 90’s. We didn’t have stretchy clothes like the ones we do now. Wearing clothes with a lot of forgiveness in the fabric makes it easy not to notice how full we’ve become during a meal.
We all like comfort but try this as a gentle reminding trick:
Wear more tailored clothes, that fit right without too much give to the fabric. It’s an easy reminder to stop eating when you are satisfied rather than stuffed. If you are reaching for another meal or snack and your pants are still squeezing you from your last meal just take note. Don’t feel bad or kick yourself for it. Make small adjustments to how you eat.
More tailored clothes are flattering and can be a gentle reminder of your goals.
Real food
I don’t eat anything labeled fat free, low carb, low fat, diet, ect. These foods usually don’t taste as good as the real thing and you may end up eating more trying trying to get satisfied from them.
Drink all the time
Drink something, it doesn’t have to be water.
I don’t drink a lot of water and I don’t drink any coffee but I do like lots of types of drinks. Drink what you like, but again, pay attention to how you feel. If you are constipated you should probably drink more.
If you think switching soda to water will make you feel good try it, or just cut back some, pay close attention to how you feel rather than the “Rules”. I didn’t think I’d ever say that soda tastes gross because I was such an addict but my taste for have changed.
I fidget
I don’t have a nervous twitch or anything like that but I move around a lot. I tap my fingers or my toes. I don’t have ADD I just move a lot.
I like to stay busy and be creative.
When I don’t have some sort of creative outlet I start feeling down and out. I like trying new things but mostly like to improve on things I know I can do and excel at.
Not everyone can be great at everything, we need everyone and their unique skills. The more time you spend on things you love to do and that’s bring your fulfillment and joy the less you will be focused on what your body looks like doing it. Confidence is sexy.
I like to see progress and expect it
I once read that those who are extremely successful financially have something inside them that drives them constantly. I believe we all have something inside us that wants us to keep moving and keep progressing but we can become numb to it.
It’s more than just finding your “why”. Find that feeling inside you that makes you feel alive and knows you are great and have purpose.
I Don’t see Being thin as Being more Valuable
I appreciate it but don’t find myself of more value than anyone else because of it. There are lots of things about my body I would change if I could. We all have the same struggles and failures. Body image struggles live in all of us.
Those struggles can be overcome with a shift in perspective. This is an example of something that can be worked on little by little. Slowly carve out new beliefs about how you are valuable. It would be sad to think someone only cared for me because of the way I looked because looks can be fleeting, and are not always in our control.
If you have a relationship with someone who makes you feel that how you look is more important than who you are, start limiting their influence on you and your life.
I Think About Food
I know this isn’t all skinny girls but definitely a trait of mine. I don’t care for shopping for food, spending money on food, cooking food, or cleaning up after food. It’s all very time consuming.
I buy foods I know I like that are easy to prepare and make me feel satisfied.
I Eat All The Time
There is really good science backed evidence that not snacking all the time is ultimately better you but I’m not saying I’m right by snacking or healthier by snacking. I just eat if I’m hungry, not snacking because I’m bored or craving something, which I do sometimes, but the majority of the time I eat something that will give me the most bang for my buck. Meaning most calories nutrients for my time or money. A carrot stick is not going to keep me going very long, but eating carrot sticks with a high fat dressing is satisfying.
I am not Athletic or even very Coordinated
I may look awkward but I love to try new things. I don’t have a sport to call my own exactly but being active doesn’t require professional equipment or skills. Just a will to enjoy life. Some may find the competition from sports to be a great driving force to be fit, but finding something you enjoy that’s physical is very important.
Eating intuitively will get you most of the way to your natural thin state but adding in a physical activity can put you over the top. Just like with intuitive eating, make changes to your physical activity slowly. Add in different types of exercises, try different times of the day, try long or short duration and pay close attention to how your body responds.
If the workout was miserable and you can’t move the next day it probably won’t be sustainable.
Your workout will begin to give you a high when you find your right recipe. You will crave it and will be disappointed when you miss it. The changes in the look of your body will come but the feeling you gain from the physical activity is what you are after.
Most Importantly
Make tiny adjustments in your day, you food choices and your habits. Let the driving force behind these changes be the feeling that you know you are amazing.
Everyone has a something only they can provide the world. There is only one of you. By wasting your time on dieting you are missing out on the life you deserve.
If you aren’t feeling so amazing yet start by taking small actions and noticing your small successes. Know that you are great and will be amazingly successful in life but you just haven’t figured out how exactly that is going to happen yet, and you may not even be sure what exactly what your amazing skills are or what it is you will be successful at.
Just know that you are a successful person on your way to that greater success. Carry your head high, not being cocky, but confident.
It’s a whole lot easier to maintain a certain weight than to lose weight. Have a lot of patience. Focus on how you feel. Make adjustments as you go, and just keep going.