Ever wonder how some people stay effortlessly skinny? Are there any secret habits of skinny people that we can learn and adapt to our lives?
In fact, the current adolescent and childhood obesity trends in the United States only started as recently as the 1970s.
A glimpse into the habits and lifestyle of our grandparents and even older generations provides simple yet invaluable insights into healthy living and staying naturally thin.
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10 Easy Habits of Skinny People that Keep Them Naturally Thin
1. They eat real food
Naturally skinny people eat real, whole foods that nourish and fuel the body. They don’t have to diet and constantly restrict what they eat as there are plenty of natural foods to choose from.
Unlike processed foods and drinks that may provide empty calories, eating clean, whole foods filled with healthy fibers, proteins, and fats make you feel full so you are less likely to overeat.
2. They cook at home
When they cook their own food at home, they know and control exactly what ingredients go into their meals.
Consciously planning your meals at home can naturally increase your servings of vegetables, whole grains, and lean meat.
You’re also more likely to reduce added sugar, added sodium and saturated fat that are more damaging to your health.
Not to mention when the meal is through your own labor of love, you also eat more mindfully and take your time to enjoy and savor it.
3. They eat breakfast
Naturally skinny people don’t skip meals. They routinely eat their breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Skipping breakfast was actually found to be associated with increased weight and increased weight gain over time (1).
Jumpstart your energy and metabolism for the day with a healthy breakfast every day.
4. They stay active
Those who stay physically active during the day tend to be fitter and slimmer. They don’t necessarily spend hours at the gym every day.
They simply find opportunities here and there to move their bodies more during the day.
Park your car on the far side of the parking lot, or getting off at an earlier train or bus stop and walk the rest of the way.
Take the stairs instead of riding the elevators or escalators.
These small and consistent tweaks don’t take much extra time and can go a long way to maintaining your health and weight!
5. They drink more water
The majority of us don’t drink enough water throughout the day to keep our bodies hydrated.
Drinking more water prevents overeating as it makes you feel more full without adding any calories.
As we age, we also tend to confuse thirst with hunger so we end up overeating instead of drinking water, resulting in weight gain.
Try drinking water 30 minutes before meal times as it has been shown to increase weight loss by a whopping 44% (2)!
Is plain water too boring for you? Try these flavorful detox water recipes for weight loss.
6. They eat flavorful food
Who said you have to eat boring, bland, steamed foods to stay skinny?
Spices such as cinnamon, cumin, and ginger provide weight loss benefits along with many other health benefits.
The capsaicin in cayenne pepper is known to boost your body’s metabolism to produce extra heat and burn off more calories.
So go ahead and spice up your food full of flavors and enjoy delicious meals guilt-free the way skinny people do!
7. They only eat when they are hungry
Skinny folks listen to their body and tune in to their physical hunger signals. They eat only when their body tells their brain that they are hungry. And they know to stop eating when the body signals that it is satisfied.
They don’t eat when they are on an emotional roller coaster or when they are bored. Food is only there to nourish the body.
They learn to manage the after-effects of stressful experiences, which can lead to increased appetite as well as eating more high-calorie foods.
They build and lean on a healthy social network for support during stressful times.
They know they don’t need carbs and fats to make them feel better. They can eat relatively healthier comfort foods, such as air-popped popcorn, almonds or even porridge, to boost a negative mood instead of more caloric comfort foods such as ice cream.
8. They eat mindfully
People that look skinny are generally being conscious of what they put in their mouths.
They don’t eat out of boredom. They don’t eat while watching TV.
They sit down and treat each meal with gratitude and respect. They take their time to chew and savor their food thoroughly.
They stay aware of their body to notice when they’ve eaten enough, and thus stop eating after feeling full.
Related Post: How to Stop Eating Mindlessly
9. They have healthy food on hand
Skinny folks plan ahead and keep healthy meals and snacks readily available. When you wait until you are hungry to figure out what to eat, your immediate desire is to avoid pain and seek pleasure.
Without a stockpile of healthy options, we almost always go for the more pleasurable option when in the moment.
Plan your meals ahead and stock your refrigerator, pantry and purse with healthy foods and snacks so you don’t end up feeling “hangry” and grab that first piece of cookie you see.
10. They get a good night’s rest
There is a strong correlation between poor sleep and the risk of obesity.
Lack of sleep can lead to increased appetite, and we subconsciously crave high-calorie, fatty foods when we are tired and need energy.
Staying active, exercising and meditation can help you to sleep better at night.
Sharing is caring! What other habits of skinny people do you notice that are easy to follow and adapt? Comment below!
