Thoughts on people who eat so much yet stay skinny
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My husband is one of those people and he's not active on a regular basis either, has a desk job, etc. As an example, we were on a trip a few months back and went into a restaurant for breakfast where they had some huge, special breakfast that, if you ate the whole thing, you got a discount on the meal, they would put your picture on their wall, and you got a certificate showing you ate it. We read what the meal consisted of and I said to him "gosh, it sounds like your normal week-end breakfast to me". He ate it, part of my breakfast (much smaller, not the special) and about an hour later he was stopping for ice cream while I was still stuffed from my much smaller breakfast. He's eaten like this on a regular basis throughout our 30 years of marriage and, now in his late 50's, he's just now having a tendency to develop a paunch but still slender everywhere else.
Both my kids wish they had inherited his metabolism, not mine. Me, too. The rest of us are actually are in awe quite often watching him eat.
Now, about his paunch, which he has lost several times, he will have one sandwich for lunch instead of two, eat a normal-sized bowl of his nightly ice cream instead of one-half of a half-gallon and put a little less chocolate syrup on it, and he'll have lost the paunch in a week.
Yeah, it's hard to not be jealous.0 -
30's, 40's 50 yrs old. I saw it pack on. And it's 3 X harder to get a pound off now. But if I log it all, and exercise a lot every day I can keep it off. My daily allowance of calories is so small I thought it was going to be impossible on maintence. The closer I got tomaintence after a year of getting off the flab the more I saw it's possible and enough to eat. Nothing like in my 20's and 30's though! Nothing!That was me in my 20s. Very healthy, very active, ate well. Genetics.
After age 30 it all changes (learned that what you did that worked in your 20s will no longer work in your 30s). Darn hormones.
Still a healthy eater but with work travel I have found it is really important to log in order to lose a little or maintain. I've always been a healthy weight.
So no, I don't hate on the healthy thin folks (especially those in their 20s). Since that was me at one time.0 -
People who seem to eat what they want without gaining are either:
1. Very, very active
2. Not eating as much as you think
Example for #1 - my dad eats tons. But he never sits down. He has a physical job, is constantly moving, working on projects until it's bedtime, etc. He can eat a lot because his TDEE is high.
Example for #2 - A friend that packs away the food when we are out to dinner. But what I don't see is that she eats salad for lunch and yogurt for breakfast and very rarely snacks. She can eat what she wants in certain situations because she eats in moderation the rest of the time.
Wrong. Sooo soo sooo wrong. My fiance is NOT very active AT ALL and he eats sooo much and doesn't gain weight. So yeah, number 1 and 2 are not ALWAYS true.0 -
People who seem to eat what they want without gaining are either:
1. Very, very active
2. Not eating as much as you think
Example for #1 - my dad eats tons. But he never sits down. He has a physical job, is constantly moving, working on projects until it's bedtime, etc. He can eat a lot because his TDEE is high.
Example for #2 - A friend that packs away the food when we are out to dinner. But what I don't see is that she eats salad for lunch and yogurt for breakfast and very rarely snacks. She can eat what she wants in certain situations because she eats in moderation the rest of the time.
This.
One thing I have learned is that very few people can/do actually eat 'whatever they want' and not worry about it.
People think I can, which is totally not true but I don't sit there saying 'actually this meal fits in my weekly cals and I work my *kitten* off 5 times a week to do it' cos it's not what people want to hear!!!0 -
I agree....
There are many factors: no black and white answers just shades of grey
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I used to be like this (could eat whatever I wanted without putting on weight, and had a good appetite!) so yes, I'm a little envious. It's not that I want to be able to eat loads and loads, but that I'd like not to have to THINK about what I'm eating all the time.0
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People who seem to eat what they want without gaining are either:
1. Very, very active
2. Not eating as much as you think
^ This, exactly.
Totally this.
Before I got ill and got chunky, people would see what I ate and wonder why I did not put on weight. I moved a lot more and I strength trained a lot plus I did not eat much at home. When I got chunky, people always commented on how little I ate. I hardly moved and what I ate was very calorie dense. Basically, when I was thin, I moved more. When I was chunky, I moved less. Simples.0 -
Does anyone have food records and expenditure records of your relatives who eat all this food and don't gain weight? Are you tracking their intake?0
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Remember - sometimes people look skinny but have a high body fat percentage. And the last time I went out my friends commentedon how much I had lost -- little did they know I was wearing spanks! 0
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Unless they are working out then it's probably not so pretty when the clothes come off.0
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There was a program in Uk about it and it's to do with your NEAT, how much you move about naturally (fidgeting etc).
I have under active thyroid which I was born with. When I was young and active I was not overweight. When my thyroid went wrong in my 30's causing mobility problems I piled weight on. (reached 16st in 2003)
I was later diagnosed with a neurological condition that as it progressed I developed involuntary muscle movements. I've lost all that extra weight and weighed in at 9st 2 last week after my last period ended. I started here at 12st 7 last august (2011) still with 48" tummy, its now only 2" off my waist measurement! (now 30")
I'm a wheelchair user and mostly housebound so the only real energy expenditure, other than going on my passive trainer bike (pedals legs for me) are the involuntary movements.0 -
I've got really bad chronic acid reflux and I could hold down the(****ing liter of clay and a shot of radioactive chemicals) barium swallow for them to look at my insides so I don't know what is wrong with my insides what scares me about it is that I could have a fatal ulcer in my esophagus and not know about it
I can eat enough to make myself sick around 200lb and not give 2 ****s about how healthy I am but I prefer to be thinner so I tend to eat more healthily0 -
There was a program in Uk about it and it's to do with your NEAT, how much you move about naturally (fidgeting etc).
I think this is one big piece of the puzzle.0 -
I can understand. I've had this experience myself recently... Lots of drinking and pizza/convenience food but lots and lots of walking and rushing around!!! I have hardly had a moment to sit down in the last 7-10 days. Lost 5lbs! I was amazed considering my current diet. lol0
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Hello
To some people, my husband looks like one of these people- can eat whatever he wants and doesn't put on weight, even though he has a desk job. In fact, one nosy acquaintance of ours used to ask all the time "isn't it annoying to live with someone who can eat whatever he wants". I was doing weightwatchers at the time and what was in fact was pretty annoying was her attempts to sabotage me...
That aside, what she didn't see was:
1. He would work out 3 or 4 times a week, usually for at least an hour swimming or running plus weights
2. He was always active at home doing things- from dishes to chopping wood
3. He would only eat red meat 1 or 2 times a week, he mostly went for chicken or fish
4. He NEVER eats when he is not hungry. You just can't make him do it.
5. Most of his diet is very clean, very healthy, he actually had to think about adding healthy fat back in because he veers away from fatty things so much.
6. He watches his weight and alters his diet exercise based on that- eats more when he has lost and cuts back when he has gained, varies his exercise routine. If he flutucates more than 2-3 pounds he takes action. He actually lost about half a stone one time when he was ill, and it took such an effort to get it back on- but after a few months of real effort he did manage- eating more, less cardio, heavier weights. Then he was back at his ideal weight, he stopped the extra eating.
7. He used to think his ideal weight was about 164-165 (he is 5'11"), now he thinks he should be a little heavier 168 or so. He is putting on that extra pound or two with extra protein and heavy weight work outs, not cakes.
So in this context, if he gets offered a cupcake by someone, or course he is just going to eat it (especially as he would consider it rude to refuse something someone had made him). But the acquaintance who started baking for me regularly as soon as she heard I was trying to lose weight? Gone.0 -
My husband can eat a dozen donuts without gaining an ounce. He doesn't exercise, but he also is active. He very rarely just relaxes. He has a very demanding job. When he does just sit and relax he's usually playing black ops. It sounds stupid, but there was a study not too long ago showing that playing video games does burn calories due to the raised heart rate. I don't know if the study is factual though.0
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i know someone that eats complete junk like i mean burger king and potato chips. he doesn't work out period. he has 3 meals daily and its always that stuff. however even though he can eat what he wants he doesn't look fit he just looks skinny. i don't know about you but i've become a fitter looking me not a skinnier one and love it.0
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My SO eats at least 2 bags of potato chips daily plus 10 thick slices of cheese (practically the whole block of cheese), 2 big sandwiches for lunch, a huge dinner, and he'd eat anything in his sight. My grocery bill is high due to his excessive eating habits. I constantly make him junk food like peanut butter cup pie the other day. He loves my cooking, but I can't really eat what I cook due to my diet restrictions. He's skinny like a stick. I'm jealous, but he works as a carpenter so he works with heavy wood and big machines. I try and assist when I can so I can be skinnier, too! He's also an avid skier. He's very active and young. I keep telling him that one day, his metabolism will finally slow down so I can spend less on food!0
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skinny person is very active, tall, or doesn't eat as much as you think
the non skinny person who is trying to lose weight is eating or use to eat more then they think, or they exercise to the point of hindering themselves so they see no progress, or they have a health issue0 -
People's metabolism (well, actually TDEE) is the main variable in the equation of how much someone can eat and not gain weight. People's RMR is impacted by siize, age, LBM and certain metabolic idiosyncrasies - but its not really by that much in the scheme of things. What does vary A LOT is NEAT. How active people are day to day. There are so many things that can increase someone's NEAT that you would not really think about - walking round the mall, playing sports, doing household chores etc etc etc. The other thing is the energy intake. We may see people eating a lot, but do they eat a lot at home or do they snack?
Unless you monitor someones activity for 24 hours a day and log their calorie intake, the premise that they can 'eat what they want and stay skinny' and not be active by some form of wizardry is a false one.0 -
^See this is what I was thinking but I suck at words and thought it would come out a lot longer then that :PPeople's metabolism (well, actually TDEE) is the main variable in the equation of how much someone can eat and not gain weight. People's RMR is impacted by siize, age, LBM and certain metabolic idiosyncrasies - but its not really by that much in the scheme of things. What does vary A LOT is NEAT. How active people are day to day. There are so many things that can increase someone's NEAT that you would not really think about - walking round the mall, playing sports, doing household chores etc etc etc. The other thing is the energy intake. We may see people eating a lot, but do they eat a lot at home or do they snack?
Unless you monitor someones activity for 24 hours a day and log their calorie intake, the premise that they can 'eat what they want and stay skinny' and not be active by some form of wizardry is a false one.0 -
My boyfriend is like this. It's infuriating. I've been trying to use his appetite (and ridiculously quick metabolism) to my benefit. When we go out to eat, I eat half my meal and give him the rest. Then I can pretty much order whatever I want, he gets to eat more, and I get to work on portion control. Works for us 0
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****************************There was a program in Uk about it and it's to do with your NEAT, how much you move about naturally (fidgeting etc).
I have under active thyroid which I was born with. When I was young and active I was not overweight. When my thyroid went wrong in my 30's causing mobility problems I piled weight on. (reached 16st in 2003)
I was later diagnosed with a neurological condition that as it progressed I developed involuntary muscle movements. I've lost all that extra weight and weighed in at 9st 2 last week after my last period ended. I started here at 12st 7 last august (2011) still with 48" tummy, its now only 2" off my waist measurement! (now 30")
I'm a wheelchair user and mostly housebound so the only real energy expenditure, other than going on my passive trainer bike (pedals legs for me) are the involuntary movements.
This is the most interesting reply and it is proof that everything isn't "calories in" and "calories out"---other factors (some unknown) may be relevant.0 -
****************************************************************I believe I fall into this category now. I tend to eat multiple plate fulls when I go out to eat. Even though I work a cubicle job, what keeps me 'skinny' is a) I am very active (6 mile daily run/walk, sometimes more on the weekends), b) my protein is very lean (greek yogurt, egg whites, etc.), c) my oils come from eating nuts, and d) my main plate is usually filled with non-starchy vegetables (cabbage, kraut, carrots, salads, squash, etc.). I love this my new lifestyle and eating this way, so it works for me.
KUDOS 2 u for working hard to reach and maintain GOAL weight!!!! :happy:
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That's not me! This time around I only think about my journey to health and am not jealous of anyone. I am done with that.
I only see-- me. It's a waste of time for me to ponder someone else's situation. Everyone is different. I love to see and read other people's work outs and imagine myself doing them someday. I cheer everyone's milestones because if someone else can do it, I can.
I am so in this zone now! I am interested in hearing what others do just to see if it is something to add to my tool kit and to hear new ways to get healthier!0 -
These people definitely do exist. I was/am one of them myself and have been eating that way since my teenage years (I'm 30 now). At 5ft5, I weighed about 118 in my teenage years, then dropped to 108 and held. I was vegetarian until about 5 years ago, so perhaps that influenced things, but I ate complete crap until about 5 years ago as well. Canned/packaged meals, taco bell/little Caesars almost daily, & lots, and lots, and lots of junk food. I was a complete emotional eater, eating when I was bored, sad, happy... always eating until I was stuffed, and then eating more simply because I was then craving another form of junk food. Lunches consisted of 2-3 items from taco bell, dinners could be half a little caesars pizza followed by little debbies, junk food cereals, & bags of candy. I would usually eat til the I hit the point of wanting to sleep it off, lather, rinse, repeat.
I was "lucky" enough to have come from two parents with very fast metabolisms, and I can say that I truly did enjoy the lifestyle. Now however, it's time to pay the piper. All through my twenties people would tell me... just wait until you're older, the weight will come your way. I shrugged it off. & while I may still have the last laugh about not being able to put on weight, my poor diet & fitness choices still managed to catch up to me in the form of lack of muscle definition &, quite frankly, a droopy bum (my prized body part). It never even dawned on me that it would happen that way, and now I'm working like a mad woman to earn it back. I still don't regret it, but I definitely wouldn't want to go back to my old eating habits, and at least it's forced me to finally work towards a healthy lifestyle.
So yes... there are definitely individuals who can eat, and eat, and eat, and not gain weight, and while it's nice to enjoy that lifestyle, just remember that it will catch up to us one way or another. It may not catch up to us in weight, which is nice, but it certainly takes a toll on our overall health, energy &, eventually, muscle definition (or lack thereof). It may not happen right away, but it certainly is a bummer when it does.0 -
I have a few friends (some of whom I lived with) who can eat junk all day and drink all night and are a 00. I was very much so overweight and ate healthy all the time. It used to, and still, drives me insane! I workout daily and eat healthy and would be happy being a size 4. Uggghhh.0
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Most of the slim people I know eat smaaaaaaaaal portions. They eat 1/4 of what I eat.
But there's one girl I know from school, she's like 90 pounds now and she eats like 3 adults. She had breakfast at home, then rushing to school to have a breakfast during a break, then asking other people for snacks, then having lunch at the school cafeteria, eating half of other people food, buying some candies and ice cream on her way home and rushing home so she can get food.
I seriously thought she had some worms in her belly, that much she was eating. It was scary to have food around net, she'd eat it.0 -
Disagree with the people saying that they either are eating less than it appears or are highly active. Some cases.......sure, but not in all. My husband can eat like a pig all day every day and not gain an ounce and he does NOTHING but sit at a computer all day. He hates veggies and he says if its green, it was meant for a cow. He is NOT on a health kick! Eats mostly eggs, red meat, cheese and bread. (His blood work always comes back spectacular). The most exercise he gets is when I make him go out back to get the dog before she does to the neighbors! Hes SLIM!!!!! There ARE those evil, crazy metabolic people who really DO eat all they want and don't gain!0
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I forgot beer...........he drinks beer almost every night...........lol0
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