What do you think of people who are naturally slim?
Replies
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I used to think they were just lucky but after observing my thin friends diets for sometime, I realize thats not really true. For instance, my best friend although eats crappy foods at times, only eats one big meal once a day because she works alot and snacks throughout the day if she has time on pickles and popcorn two very low cal snacks. So she probably only gets 1200-1500 a day if that.
Key to being a normal weight is observing how thin or average weight looking people eat and take note.
I've learned that staying busy is also key. If you have alot going on (which alot of my thin friends do), you are less likely to think about food and hunger does diminish over time.
Last thing I learned is don't assume that they can eat crap all day and not gain weight. You are only seeing that person for one part of the day and have no idea how they eat the rest of the day if they even eat.
My little sister is also thin and only eats one big meal a day because she goes out with her friends during the day and comes back late hungry. Sometimes if she is on punishment she will snack on chips and popcorn throughout the day but she eats it very slow and takes one chip or one popcorn at a time. So by chip 13, shes kinda full.
Eating slow is also key but its also one thing I struggle with.
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It's not opinion, it's fact. I'm surprised that when you studied nutrition it wasn't covered. I'm not debating it because it's ridiculous.
Yes, anecdotes surely are better evidence than actual science and clinical studies.
You won't convince that nobody struggles to keep weight on because I know better.
Disagree. There are lots of male bodybuilders today under 5'6".
If they aren't getting buff, it's because they aren't consuming the calories needed to do it. And while many may have a higher metabolic rate, math still applies. Eat more than your TDEE consistently and you'll gain weight.Depends. People who struggle to keep weight on have a struggle, too. Different, but not easy. It's especially hard for small men who have trouble getting buff when that's what they really want.
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Or it's because they're short guys who are small-boned and will just never be tall or very muscular.
Dependent on calorie intake. It's basic math. The whole "naturally lean" thing is a myth (unless there's some underlying health issue). Eat more than one's TDEE consistently and they will gain weight.Believe it or not, it is difficult for some people to keep their weight up. Maybe you studied that when studying nutrition? It's usually included.
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Not trying to convince you, just debating against your opinions.
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That is as much as a "fact" that people struggle to lose weight. Only people who struggle are though who do it rashly. It is a simple math equation. Person A weighs 110 lbs and maintains that weight at about 1400 calories, let's say. If they eat 1500 calories they will gain weight. Are you saying its hard to eat a 100 calorie snack every day? Or, drink one glass of juice or soda everyday?
We're not saying the weight gain will be fast, but it certainly isn't difficult.5 -
Disagree. There are lots of male bodybuilders today under 5'6".
If they aren't getting buff, it's because they aren't consuming the calories needed to do it. And while many may have a higher metabolic rate, math still applies. Eat more than your TDEE consistently and you'll gain weight.Depends. People who struggle to keep weight on have a struggle, too. Different, but not easy. It's especially hard for small men who have trouble getting buff when that's what they really want.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Or it's because they're short guys who are small-boned and will just never be tall or very muscular.
Dependent on calorie intake. It's basic math. The whole "naturally lean" thing is a myth (unless there's some underlying health issue). Eat more than one's TDEE consistently and they will gain weight.Believe it or not, it is difficult for some people to keep their weight up. Maybe you studied that when studying nutrition? It's usually included.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
I agree with ninerbuff.
We're throwing around a lot of anecdotal evidence so I'll chime in with mine! For the short guys, it is quite possible to gain weight. If you think about it, a 5'4 guy is going to burn significantly less calories than at 6'5 guy (assuming they are both at healthy weights for their respective heights). So in the instance of a small guy not being able to get bigger, one would think if they ate higher calorie foods and a good portion of them, they'd be able to put on weight quite easily.
There's a trainer at my gym with an amazing body who is likely around 5'3. He's shorter than me and I'm 5'4.5, so I'm thinking that's a good rough estimate. He has very little body fat and a great muscular physique. Akin to ninerbuffs body. According to the theory short guys can't get "big", this guy can't exist.
I did think that some people were naturally slim for a while also though. Until I moved in with my (ex) boyfriend a while ago. He's 6'5 and was about 173 lb soaking wet. Very skinny guy. When I would see him eat, it would be tons of pizza, burgers, chips, Mountain Dew, etc. Living with him, I saw he ate once or maybe twice a day. He also was on his feet for 12+ hours a day as a restaurant manager. So that would just be a very high TDEE due to simply moving a lot more. Combined with eating once or twice a day, he never got large.
On the flip side, my current boyfriend I live with is 6'3 and also a restaurant manager. He's about 200 lbs. He has no trouble putting on weight. Why? He really does eat a ton. I'm talking 1 lb ribeye steaks, loaded baked potatoes, creamy sauces, massive amounts of cheese and crackers, etc. He is that guy who will also go for a 4th large meal often. He simply eats more and matches his TDEE or exceeds it.
I think it all comes down to individual appetite regulations.6 -
MichelleLei1 wrote: »As a 'naturally' thin person, I'll tell you that there really isn't anything special about our genetics. Before counting calories I used to think I was genetically blessed. In high school, I could eat entire bags of chips, quarts (yes quarts) of ice cream, and family size trays of lasagna and still be underweight. But now as I'm older, I realize that even though I ate like garbage, my metabolism wasn't any different than anyone elses'. I was a gymnast and would have practice 10-14hrs a week. In addition I also had the tendency to skip breakfast and dinner. So even though people would see me eating massive amounts of food, that could very well be the only thing I ate all day. Unless you live with someone 24/7, you don't know a person's eating habits. And even if you did know a person's eating habits, it's none of your business.
This is pretty much me too. I always thought I was "naturally" thin person until I started using mfp and the TDEE method and realized my TDEE was right on track with estimates. I grew up on junk food and lots of it but was skinny because I played sports and practiced several hours a day. I also have always been attune to a change in my weight. When I went off to college and started gaining because I stopped playing sports, I noticed the weight gain within 5-10 lbs and added some exercise and didn't eat quite so much. I have stayed within a 10-15 lb range my entire life (besides pregnancies) because I always notice when I am going up and do something about it, either structured diet or just not gorging myself and exercising more. After each kid I worked hard to get back to the number I was at before. So it is not that I have never had to work for it, but I only thought about my weight when it was going up and otherwise ate what I wanted.0 -
Idk. My cousin has an ectomorph build. According to her, she tries to gain weight but has not been successful so far even after 4 children she still doesn't have any curves. Genetically blessed? If you like that shape I guess. BTW her Mom was that way too, now in her 50's she's fat. Not even curvy fat, just shapeless fat.
People think I'm genetically thin just because I've never been overweight. (I used to weigh 118 before my twins in my 20's) What they don't know, is I've always been active and for most of my life and I've never just eaten whatever I want. Although last winter was an exception. I tried that for the first time and gained nearly 14lbs in a month. The good thing is, with dedication, I lost that weight. I don't mind eating right and exercising. I feel better and look better. So I think I pulled the long straw!
Bottom line is, I don't envy anyone! You don't know what they deal with behind closed doors.4 -
There is no such thing as naturally thin people.8
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Most stores have offers on ice cream.
Anyone who think's they're 'naturally slim' or 'have the genetics' can easily disprove that to themselves by sinking a few tubs of Ben and Jerry's a day.
If you aren't gaining weight, you aren't eating enough.4 -
I used to not understand how thin people were thin and I was fat, until I started logging calories and realizing that even though I thought my skinny friends were eating a lot, I wasn't with them ALL day. In fact they ate a lot lighter than me and probably didn't binge as hard.
Now I kind of wish that I was raised like some of my slim friends, that I could be happy eating the amount to maintain my weight. But I'm not. I want to eat more.
On the other hand, my slim friends don't have great body compositions. I'd much rather have mine.7 -
arditarose wrote: »I used to not understand how thin people were thin and I was fat, until I started logging calories and realizing that even though I thought my skinny friends were eating a lot, I wasn't with them ALL day. In fact they ate a lot lighter than me and probably didn't binge as hard.
Now I kind of wish that I was raised like some of my slim friends, that I could be happy eating the amount to maintain my weight. But I'm not. I want to eat more.
On the other hand, my slim friends don't have great body compositions. I'd much rather have mine.
You look great! Werk it!!0 -
arditarose wrote: »I used to not understand how thin people were thin and I was fat, until I started logging calories and realizing that even though I thought my skinny friends were eating a lot, I wasn't with them ALL day. In fact they ate a lot lighter than me and probably didn't binge as hard.
Now I kind of wish that I was raised like some of my slim friends, that I could be happy eating the amount to maintain my weight. But I'm not. I want to eat more.
On the other hand, my slim friends don't have great body compositions. I'd much rather have mine.
You look great! Werk it!!
Thanks. I'm heavy AF though
Weighed in at 142 this am. Blah. 2 -
I am a food thinker. I have some friends and family members who are also food thinkers. All of us struggle a lot or a little with our weight. Then there is this other bunch of friends and family members who can get to 5 p.m. and are suddenly ravenous and going, "I can't remember if I've eaten or not...did I eat today? When is the last time I had food? Golly, maybe I better eat something before I fall over!"
I cannot even imagine being like that LOL!10 -
"Naturally slim" people either eat less or move more (and likely a combination of those) than those who are not "naturally slim."8
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KetoneKaren wrote: »Then there is this other bunch of friends and family members who can get to 5 p.m. and are suddenly ravenous and going, "I can't remember if I've eaten or not...did I eat today? When is the last time I had food? Golly, maybe I better eat something before I fall over!"
I cannot even imagine being like that LOL!
I do that occasionally ... if, and only if, I get really occupied with something.
I've buried myself in the library researching something interesting for a paper in a course I enjoyed ... and hours later it has suddenly occurred to me that it had been something like 12 hours since I ate.
Or one day not too long ago, I got involved in something at work, then I had to change and dash to the concert hall to meet my husband for an early symphony performance ... and it wasn't until intermission at about 7:00 pm that I realised I hadn't eaten since maybe lunchtime, and we didn't actually get to eat till about 10 pm.
But that doesn't happen nearly often enough!
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While I think there is a genetic component, I believe a lot of it has to do with habits. My fiancé is this way (guy in my profile picture), he is very slim. However, he really doesn't eat much, he usually under eats at mealtimes. He also moves A LOT. His job is very physical and lately he's been playing Pokemon Go. But mainly he eats like a bird haha0
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amusedmonkey wrote: »I kind of think they are lucky to have developed natural habits and a healthy feedback system that helps them stay at a healthy weight without thinking about it. Some may have a higher TDEE and some may actually have a lower TDEE, the whole deal about being naturally thin (i.e settling at a normal weight without deliberately watching intake or activity) is the ability to eat to their hearts content, but their hearts content just happens to be a healthy calorie level for their TDEE, be it higher or lower than average.
I wish I were naturally thin, but I'm not. I will have to watch my intake for years to come. It is what it is, and I have made my peace with it.
Yes! This describes my fiancé, he just so happens not to find food an indulgence. He's just naturally wired to not take pleasure in eating. I'll never understand this lol1 -
Naturally slim people aren't blessed with magical genetics, but they do have the ability to self regulate using CICO without thinking about it.
Researchers are finding that even though lean and obese people may eat the same foods, they eat vastly different quantities. I think this is why it so frustrating and confusing to people wanting to lose weight. They see someone lean eat a large amount of food, and think, "I eat the same thing as them, yet I can't lose weight! Must be my genetics." What they don't see, and what research is finding, is that that same lean person may have skipped several meals that day, and then may not eat much the next day to compensate. Often they don't even realize they are doing it. On the other hand, the obese individual had several hearty meals that day, and goes home that evening and continues eating (and eating).
Next time you are at a restaurant, watch your lean friends. They will often leave food on their plate. Obese individuals eat everything, including a calorie laden drink, lots of bread, and dessert. Lean individuals will get a small (and may not even finish) while obese will get a large and eat everything.
Lean individuals may snack between meals OR have 3 meals but they won't do both. Obese individuals may graze all day in addition to their 3 meals.
Read :"Mindless Slim" by Brain Wansink if you want to learn more. He is the one doing a lot of this research.21 -
Naturally slim people aren't blessed with magical genetics, but they do have the ability to self regulate using CICO without thinking about it.
Researchers are finding that even though lean and obese people may eat the same foods, they eat vastly different quantities. I think this is why it so frustrating and confusing to people wanting to lose weight. They see someone lean eat a large amount of food, and think, "I eat the same thing as them, yet I can't lose weight! Must be my genetics." What they don't see, and what research is finding, is that that same lean person may have skipped several meals that day, and then may not eat much the next day to compensate. Often they don't even realize they are doing it. On the other hand, the obese individual had several hearty meals that day, and goes home that evening and continues eating (and eating).
Next time you are at a restaurant, watch your lean friends. They will often leave food on their plate. Obese individuals eat everything, including a calorie laden drink, lots of bread, and dessert. Lean individuals will get a small (and may not even finish) while obese will get a large and eat everything.
Lean individuals may snack between meals OR have 3 meals but they won't do both. Obese individuals may graze all day in addition to their 3 meals.
Read :"Mindless Slim" by Brain Wansink if you want to learn more. He is the one doing a lot of this research.
I think you just said what I said... but you said it better. The secret isn't what thin people do, but what they don't do. We all do the same, but in different amounts and to different degrees. The "natural" part of "naturally slim" isn't to be born that way, but having the set of behaviors that leads to that weight, feel natural.8 -
GirlonBliss wrote: »I used to think they were just genetically blessed whereas I would have to work at it for the rest of my life. What about you?
I think that there are people who naturally eat the right number of calories to maintain their weight. Some of those people are very slender. They may look like they eat a lot and stay thin effortlessly but really they are very active, eat very low calorie foods, have one big meal a day or something.
It can be difficult gaining weight if you do not eat the right calories to do so just like losing weight. In both cases it is down to the math.2 -
Body weight is the tangential consequence of something we can't yet explain.1
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If they aren't getting buff, it's because they aren't consuming the calories needed to do it. And while many may have a higher metabolic rate, math still applies. Eat more than your TDEE consistently and you'll gain weight.Depends. People who struggle to keep weight on have a struggle, too. Different, but not easy. It's especially hard for small men who have trouble getting buff when that's what they really want.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Or it's because they're short guys who are small-boned and will just never be tall or very muscular. It shouldn't matter to them, IMO, but it does. Small people might get fat, but they'll never be big people. That's life.
Believe it or not, it is difficult for some people to keep their weight up. Maybe you studied that when studying nutrition? It's usually included.
Yes short people will never be tall. But that really isn't a question
Small guys can absolutely become larger muscular if they want to.
It seems as though you have changed the goal posts by throwing in the short -tall thing. When you have to change the goal posts then it's usually time to back away from the keyboard.4 -
It's not opinion, it's fact. I'm surprised that when you studied nutrition it wasn't covered. I'm not debating it because it's ridiculous.
Yes, anecdotes surely are better evidence than actual science and clinical studies.
You won't convince that nobody struggles to keep weight on because I know better.
Disagree. There are lots of male bodybuilders today under 5'6".
If they aren't getting buff, it's because they aren't consuming the calories needed to do it. And while many may have a higher metabolic rate, math still applies. Eat more than your TDEE consistently and you'll gain weight.Depends. People who struggle to keep weight on have a struggle, too. Different, but not easy. It's especially hard for small men who have trouble getting buff when that's what they really want.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Or it's because they're short guys who are small-boned and will just never be tall or very muscular.
Dependent on calorie intake. It's basic math. The whole "naturally lean" thing is a myth (unless there's some underlying health issue). Eat more than one's TDEE consistently and they will gain weight.Believe it or not, it is difficult for some people to keep their weight up. Maybe you studied that when studying nutrition? It's usually included.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition Not trying to convince you, just debating against your opinions.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
Please share some proof of all your "facts" then?!
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Here's some interesting reading -- researchers are correlating something other than genetics to body weight with the theme along the lines of " diets (caloric restriction) promote long-term obesity ":
Mann, T. et al. (2007).Medicare’s search for effective obesity treatments: Diets are not the answer. American Psychologist, 62(3): 220-233.
Field, A,E. et al (2003). Relation Between Dieting and Weight Change Among Preadolescents and Adolescents. Pediatrics,112:900-906.
Haines, J. & Neumark-Sztainer D (2006). Prevention of obesity and eating disorders: a consideration of shared risk factors. Health Education Research, 21(6):770–782.
Kwoh, L. (January 9, 2012).Weight Watchers Chief Looks to Men, China for Growth. Wall Street Journal.
Neumark-Sztainer, D. et al (2006). Obesity, disordered eating, and eating disorders in a longitudinal study of adolescents: how do dieters fare five years later? J Am Diet Assoc,106(4):559-568.
Patton, G. C., et al. (1999). Onset of adolescent eating disorders: population based cohort study over 3 years. British Medical Journal, 318:765-768.
Pietiläinen, K.H. et al. (2011). Does dieting make you fat? A twin study. International Journal of Obesity, | doi:10.1038/ijo.2011.160
Saarni, S. E. et al (2006). Weight cycling of athletes and subsequent weight gain in middleage. International J Obesity, 30: 1639–1644.
Tribole E. & Resch E. (2012-in press). Intuitive Eating (3rd edition). St.Martin’s Press: NY,NY.
Tylka, T. L. (2006). Development and psychometric evaluation of a measure of intuitive eating. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53, 226-240.
What does all this mean: we don't have a black and white (or even grey) answer to the question posted.1 -
ScreeField wrote: »Body weight is the tangential consequence of something we can't yet explain.
Pretty sure the laws of thermodynamics and the direct relationship between energy and mass are pretty well defined.9 -
MichelleLei1 wrote: »ScreeField wrote: »Body weight is the tangential consequence of something we can't yet explain.
Pretty sure the laws of thermodynamics and the direct relationship between energy and mass are pretty well defined.
And application of such ( to human bodies ) are based on hypothesis and theory not law.2 -
ScreeField wrote: »MichelleLei1 wrote: »ScreeField wrote: »Body weight is the tangential consequence of something we can't yet explain.
Pretty sure the laws of thermodynamics and the direct relationship between energy and mass are pretty well defined.
And application of such ( to human bodies ) are based on hypothesis and theory not law.
You know that gravity is a scientific theory, right?11 -
I think the reality is that we don't know what other people deal with, and we don't know what's going on in their heads. That heavy person could have just lost fifty pounds; that thin person may be struggling to lose three pounds; the person we perceive as naturally thin may just have a different set of priorities than us; the person eating an entire large pizza may make that their only meal of the day.
Judging is ultimately embarrassing when I'm confronted with reality.
I think at the end of the day, if you eat more calories than you burn you'll gain weight; eat fewer calories than you burn and you'll lose weight. Everybody finds the balance that works for them.9 -
I think the reality is that we don't know what other people deal with, and we don't know what's going on in their heads. That heavy person could have just lost fifty pounds; that thin person may be struggling to lose three pounds; the person we perceive as naturally thin may just have a different set of priorities than us; the person eating an entire large pizza may make that their only meal of the day.
Judging is ultimately embarrassing when I'm confronted with reality.
I think at the end of the day, if you eat more calories than you burn you'll gain weight; eat fewer calories than you burn and you'll lose weight. Everybody finds the balance that works for them.
I don't think this thread was meant to judge anyone. I think it was just asking about our opinions about the fact that some people can maintain a slim figure effortlessly, as they are blessed with naturally regulating appetite and habits that support staying slim without giving it any conscious thought.3 -
ScreeField wrote: »MichelleLei1 wrote: »ScreeField wrote: »Body weight is the tangential consequence of something we can't yet explain.
Pretty sure the laws of thermodynamics and the direct relationship between energy and mass are pretty well defined.
And application of such ( to human bodies ) are based on hypothesis and theory not law.
Please explain. I'm pretty sure human bodies are subject to scientific laws. We may not be able to explain everything (and likely never will), but we have a pretty good idea of how people lose and gain weight. So much so that calorie counting is a very effective tool. What am I missing here?5 -
ScreeField wrote: »MichelleLei1 wrote: »ScreeField wrote: »Body weight is the tangential consequence of something we can't yet explain.
Pretty sure the laws of thermodynamics and the direct relationship between energy and mass are pretty well defined.
And application of such ( to human bodies ) are based on hypothesis and theory not law.
You know that gravity is a scientific theory, right?
Is this a question or troll?
-1 -
ScreeField wrote: »ScreeField wrote: »MichelleLei1 wrote: »ScreeField wrote: »Body weight is the tangential consequence of something we can't yet explain.
Pretty sure the laws of thermodynamics and the direct relationship between energy and mass are pretty well defined.
And application of such ( to human bodies ) are based on hypothesis and theory not law.
You know that gravity is a scientific theory, right?
Is this a question or troll?
She's not even on my friend's list and I can tell you she's far from a troll. I kindly suggest you engage in an intelligent manner or find something better to do with your time than start calling people names.9
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