by Michelle Wilkinson

Created on: November 11, 2009   Last Updated: April 14, 2011

Some people are lucky enough to never have had problems with their weight. These individuals have always been skinny and ever since they were youngsters they've never had to worry about whether they're eating the right kinds of food or eating too much, because they automatically seem to make decisions that make maintaining a healthy weight easier. They have developed habits that help them to stay thin, so why can't the rest of us?

Well, it helps that they have often been conditioned to make the right choices since when they were young. It is much easier to learn good habits when you're younger than when you've had experience of life and grown used to doing things a certain way. It can be hard to abandon bad habits if they've been a part of your life for a long time. Many of us are in denial about our weight, preferring to blame our supposedly slow metabolism and bad genetic make-up than to face up to our bad habits. We may see a thin woman eating a burger and proclaim that she seems to be able to eat what she wants without gaining weight, and thus must have a fast metabolism.


The reality, though, is that eating one burger doesn't mean a woman is going to become fat, especially if she happens to exercise regularly and eat a healthy balance of foods the rest of the time. Maintaining a healthy weight is dependent on a person's ability to strike the right balance between the number of calories they consume and the number they expend. There are obviously certain habits that make doing this easier.


One such habit is eating regularly throughout the day, starting with breakfast. By eating breakfast your metabolism gets the kick-start it needs and your concentration levels are greater. You're not hungry so you won't be craving calorific junk food by mid-morning and reaching for unhealthy snacks. Making time for lunch and dinner, as well as healthy snacks if you desire them, is also a good way to keep your metabolism working efficiently and helping to stave off the temptation to overeat.


It is also worth taking time to appreciate the food you eat, as if you rush every mouthful your brain won't register that you're full and you will continue to eat more than you require, which is another habit that 'naturally' slim people seem to have developed.


Making an effort to eat 'good' carbohydrates, such as wholemeal bread instead of white, is also something that many thin people have managed to make into a habit, as it gives you energy for longer, while getting enough protein into your diet will help you feel fuller making you less inclined to overindulge.


Staying thin also requires regular exercise, something which many thin people actually seem to get enjoyment from. Therefore, if you manage to eat regularly and healthily, as well as exercising you, too, could find yourself being classed as 'thin'.

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