Secrets of Women Who Never Diet | Reader's Digest

Secrets Of The Naturally Slim

We all have that one thin friend—one of those skinny women who’s never bullied into submission by the bread basket, and when she says “I’ll just eat one bite,” she does just that. Is she for real?

Turns out, research shows that angular people simply don’t think about food the same way as–well, the rest of us. Thin people have a relaxed accord with food explains David L. Katz, MD, an associate professor adjunct in public health at Yale University. “Those who are overweight however, tend to be preoccupied by it. They focus on how much or how generally they eat, or attach labels like good and bad to certain foods. As a result, mealtime is always on the brain.”

Here, weight loss experts explore the mysterious minds of  commonly  slim, and how to eat like skinny women. Learn what they do, what they don’t, and how you can act the part.

Walk everywhere

Raquel Riley Thomas, pageant queen and owner of eauty pageant production company An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC, swears by her Fitbit. “. Instead of taking the elevator, I take the stairs, and I will clean my house trying to get extra steps in. 

Watch your stress levels

Struggling with belly fat? Stress could be to blame, says Sai Aparajitha Gopalakrishnan, a health coach who helps women stop dieting. “Stress actually triggers the production of cortisol, which increases blood sugar,” she says. “An increase in blood sugar over a long time causes fat to be stored in our belly, one of the most problematic areas for women. When you learn to deal with stress better, you don’t need diets to get rid of our stubborn fat.” Don’t miss these other 11 sneaky things that make you gain weight.With summer approaching, it's that time of year again when we're all under pressure to hit the beach looking like Elle Macpherson.

Don’t eat in front of a screen

Yep, that includes all TV, phones, computers, and tablets. People who eat while distracted consume more and are less likely to remember how much they ate, sometimes by as much as 25 percent, found British research. “Often, we consume calories mindlessly when distracted by technology,” says Jill McKay, certified personal trainer at Narrow Road Fitness. “This one simple boundary helps me be more mindful of what—and how much—I eat.”

Maintain a healthy body image

Most people don’t succeed with their weight-loss goals until they learn to respect themselves and their bodies, says Michele Paiva, a licensed psychotherapist specializing in body image. body image struggles based on self-esteem can create the desire to eat, which releases hormones that give a quick euphoria or numbing quality. This is what happens with most bingeing,” she says. The best way to prevent this distorted mindset is to accept your current body, and then aim for a realistic body weight.

Don’t obsess over weight loss

Once your mind is in a healthy place, your body is sure to follow, says registered dietitian nutritionist Rebecca Scritchfield, author of Body Kindness. “Put energy into other hobbies, interests, and pursuits that give life more meaning. When we are so focused on self-improvement, we simply don’t put effort into living in the here and now. We can gain so much from letting go of the notion that our bodies need to be fixed.”

If your stomach feels like it’s about to burst, stop eating. Seems simple enough, but it can be harder than it sounds (especially when the food is good). Jessica Klingbaum from Be Hip and healthy shares a handy trick: “Even when I’m about to pop the button on my pants, I feel like I just have to have those last few bites anyway if what I’m eating is really delicious. So I’ll actually pour salt on whatever it is and ruin it, so I literally can’t have anymore. It simply gives you no choice but to stop eating.”