Why do some people stay slim, and never gain weight?

xfc1

I'm not talking about biological factors where there is some factor preventing them from gaining. I'm talking about when they have made a decision to keep slim. I have my own theory as to why they want to do that (at least for some people), but I'm curious as to why you think that they do that. Let's exclude people who are in the business of being seen (models, acting) where being slim is part of their job.

jjpptt2

So you're asking why people choose to be slim/thin?

jennybearlv

Because they know being fat is unhealthy.

xfc1

Any other reasons?

Jruzer

Some people don't have the urge to overeat.

chelllsea124

gamerbabe14

Some have eating disorders...

court_alacarte

Jruzer wrote: »

Some people don't have the urge to overeat.

Second that.

TorStar80

What is your theory because I sort of don't understand what you are asking... maybe if I see your logic, I might I'm always more curious about people who seem to eat and eat (and not just healthy foods) and never get fat!

inertiastrength

Some people must naturally just stop eating when they've had adequate calories for their activity levels (obviously, there are tons of thin, fit people that have never counted a calorie)
Not sure why I don't anymore but I definitely did as a teenager/child

kimny72

I have never been overweight, though I did gain 15 vanity lbs in my thirties. I didn't consciously stay slim, I just have really never been an over-eater and I tend to be fidgety and enjoy active pastimes.

I now choose to stay slim and make an effort to stay do so because I like how I look and feel that way. And because I know that carrying extra weight can be a symptom or cause of all sorts of chronic health conditions.

What is your theory?

jennybearlv

xfc1 wrote: »

Any other reasons?

Because people are vain. Because people need to be a certain weight for a sport.

usmcmp

Some people naturally have lower appetite and are very active daily. Those that seem to eat as much as they want typically only do so at one meal and eat much less the rest of the day/week because the larger meal was very filling to them. Some people also tend to gravitate towards foods that are not calorie dense, so their calorie intake is going to be naturally lower.

They ask the same thing about people who seem to constantly gain weight and never stay slim. They don't understand why a person would snack all the time or why someone would keep eating once they are no longer hungry or after they are already stuffed. They don't understand how someone would enjoy sitting around all the time and not being active constantly.

People have different tastes and habits that contribute to whether they are slim or muscular or fat. Time and circumstances can change these.

SuzySunshine99

My motivation for maintaining a healthy weight is so I can more easily do the activities I enjoy, like backpacking, kayaking, and biking. I also want to be happier and healthier in the later years of my life.

toxikon

The highest I've ever weighed was 160lbs, which is the higher end of Healthy for my weight. I've never gone above that because once I hit 160lbs, I don't like how I look anymore, I don't feel comfortable and I make an effort to get back to a lower weight. I don't know why 160 is my "magic number" but it's always just been like that! I usually hover between 140-160.

ayuri17

For me personally, I don't feel the need to eat a lot. I don't restrict on purpose and pretty much eat whatever I like, though I do make an effort to get all my nutrients. If I'm craving a cookie or chips, I will eat a cookie or some chips. However, I'm pretty much done after just the 1 cookie. I don't want any more.

Also, in recent years I have decided to always stay within a 5 lb weight range. I'm only 5'2, so my range is 105-110 lb. About 3 months ago I noticed that I was 113 lb, so I decided to use MFP and diet for a few weeks. I am now back down to 107 lb, so I'm done dieting and back to eating maintenance. If I ever gain weight past my range again, I cut calories again for a while.

I think this is a pretty good strategy for anyone already within their ideal weight range to stay always within range. Even if you gain only 3 lb over, go on a short diet immediately. 3 lb is so easy to lose. Don't brush that off because it looks like such a small gain. If you wait until you're 10 lb, 20 lb, or even more above your ideal range to start dieting, it will be so much harder.

Need2Exerc1se

Having done that for about 40 years I can give one perspective. I don't like the way I look or feel when I'm fat, and I care about my health. It was as simple as that. I chose not to overeat to the point of getting fat because I liked being thin and healthy better.

JeromeBarry1

Some people deliberately keep slim because they think that perpetually restricting calories will directly cause them to live an extra 30% of lifespan. That works for mice and worms.

SuzySunshine99

I guess we should ask what you mean by "slim". I took it as normal, healthy weight range. But I see others are taking it as "underweight". What did you intend?

DX2JX2

All of the people I know who have never needed to lose weight don't really care about food. While they enjoy a good meal, they more often or not are 'utility' eaters who only eat when they have to. Unlike many of us, food carries no emotion for them.

That said, those same people tend to have other crutches besides food. Things like shopping or smoking.

littlebuffbiddy

Some people have really great metabolisms that haven't betrayed them yet. Or are moderately active during the day enough to keep their metabolism spiked