Why are some people naturally skinny while others seem doomed to forever watch the scales? There are lots of reasons why one person weighs more than another - genetics, health, metabolism, upbringing and outlook to name but a few. Deep down, most of us know we need to consume fewer calories and do more exercise. Simple it may be, easy it isn't!
The biggest problem isn't learning what or even how much we should eat but changing our food habits. Be honest, is it always hunger that drives you to eat? We all know an unhealthy skinny so-and-so who can stuff their face and not put on weight - but perhaps there's something you could learn from the habits of the naturally slim?
How to stay naturally slim
Slim people tend to eat slowly and chew their food well. Try chewing each mouthful 25 times until it becomes almost liquid. Digestion begins with the enzymes in saliva, so you are helping your digestive system by eating slowly. You're also allowing more to time to enjoy the taste of your food and giving your stomach time to signal the brain when you're full – preventing you from overeating.
Have you ever watched someone eat half a chocolate bar and put the rest away for another day? Annoying wasn't it? This is a hard habit to break but it can be done. Next time you are eating a treat, make yourself leave half. At first the food will call to you to be eaten. Go for a walk, phone a friend, have a bath – anything to stop thinking about it. Do this at least seven times and your brain will learn to accept the new behaviour.
Were you told to eat everything on your plate as a child? The best way to break this habit is to always, always, leave a little something on your plate. Scrape the leftover straight into the bin, rather than leaving them in front of you as a temptation. Once you have mastered this, try listening to your body and stop eating when you are full, rather than when all the food has gone from your plate.
How many times have you 'forgotten' you're on a diet as soon as someone offers you chocolate? Most of us find it hard to say 'No' in general – we say 'Yes' to please others, so as not to cause offence, because it's easier. How hard then is it to say 'No' to a treat? Physically remove yourself from the temptation if you can. Go to the loo or make a phone call while the girls at work eat the chocolate cake. Alternatively, grab yourself a healthy snack and say, "No thanks, I've just opened a yoghurt." That way you won't feel so left out.
Have you noticed how slim men and women always seem to be sipping at a bottle of water? Even the ones that don't go to the gym! The naturally thin don't just drink water with their meal, but keep themselves topped up during the day. Carry a bottle of water with you wherever you go to help you get into the habit. Take a swig whenever you fancy something to eat. The water will fill you up and help stave off food cravings.
Some slim people work hard to get a good figure while others don't need to do any exercise. It's important to view exercise as a daily event that will help you to stay healthy. Dog walkers are amongst the fittest people in Britain because they walk at least once a day. If you haven't got a dog why not offer to walk someone else's? Or walk to a shop 30 minutes away to pick up the paper. Do it every day and it will soon become a habit you won't want to break.