According to a report, the average American wishes they weighed 15 lbs lighter. And while losing 15 lbs typically won’t make one skinny, it’s important to note you shouldn’t actually aim for that anyway. Medically speaking, you should aim for your healthy weight for your body type, and mentally speaking, you should love yourself and not define your value by your weight.
Whether you just want to lose a few lbs if you’re slightly over your healthy weight, or if you’re at the beginning of your weight loss journey and aiming for it, here’s “the skinny” on how to reach it—the secrets (read: simple habits) of women who stay their ideal weight.
1. They Eat What They Want
People who are slim don’t see certain foods as “bad” or “off-limits”. Creating an off-limits list increases the likelihood that you’ll want it more. So you shouldn’t ban your favorite foods entirely but eat them in moderation.
2. They Cook at Home
Eating at home is a brilliant way to shave off, on average, 200 calories per meal a 2016 study from the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests. You eat more when you eat out.
3. They Eat an Early Dinner
Eating right before bedtime is an unhealthy habit that many people fall into. Studies aren’t conclusive about eating later = more weight gain. What’s really more likely is that, eating more = more weight gain. According to studies, we tend to eat more in the evening because we’re usually unwinding and more relaxed.
4. They Weigh Themselves Weekly
While checking in with the scale daily might be tempting, it’s better to do it weekly since your weight fluctuates daily. If you see yourself starting to gain weight over the course of weeks, adjust your diet and exercise appropriately.
5. They Pass on the Supersize
Prioritize your health over getting a bargain. Just say no to those family-sized potato chips or large, wallet-friendly meals when eating out (you shouldn’t be eating out too much anyway! See tip 2.)
6. They Eat Until They’re No Longer Hungry
Learning to recognize when you’re no longer hungry is an important habit to develop. This is especially hard for people who have a sweet tooth and crave sugar after a meal. Just think to yourself “I’ll have a dessert in 1 hour”. By the time 1 hour comes, you probably won’t be hungry anyway.
7. They Typically Eat Breakfast
As studies suggest, breakfast eaters tend to have healthier habits than those who skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast also can lead to overeating. While breakfast may not be as critical as is commonly thought, still try and eat a high-protein breakfast to help you stay full longer.
8. They Exercise Frequently
Fairly frequent workouts help slim people stay slim as well as releasing feel-good endorphins that enhance one’s wellbeing. Around 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3-times per week is generally recommended for weight loss. Exercise is an especially important step for those combatting obesity.
9. They Snack on Fewer Calories
If you need to snack, be intentional about it. Slim people are intentional about the snacks they consume so as to keep track of their calorie intake. If you don’t want to prepare your snacks, then try buying the under 100 calorie snack bags.
10. They Chew More
I’m sure you remember your parents telling you to chew your food and they were right. People who chew their food up to 30 chews per bite have better control over their portions because eating slower may help you feel full faster.
11. They Have a Regular Bedtime
Poor sleep has consistently been linked with weight gain and stress. Stress can lower your metabolism. Having a regular bedtime helps promote better sleep that, in turn, helps you maintain a healthier weight.
12. They’re Sometimes Known for Eating Less Meat
Typically, most people will lose weight if they stop eating meat. In fact, according to Psychology Today, most people can expect to lose between 5 and 10 lbs by not eating meat.
Losing weight isn’t the easiest task in the world, but when you take on some simple and healthy habits, you’ll start to see results so much sooner. And while aiming to be your healthy weight is medically advised, we shouldn’t conflate our weight with our value. So give these weight loss tips a try and let me know how you get on!
And lastly, if you’re not a fan of BMI (Body Mass Index), we have other calculators you can use to discover your healthy weight, such as our BAI (Body Adiposity Index) Calculator here.
Chasing Foxes was started in 2016 as a way for Grace and her husband, Silas, to start traveling. However, they started to realize that they had a passion for improving themselves, and wanted to help others level up their lives as well. So whether it's with cooking, travel, or staying healthy, they want to help you better your life bit by bit, as they do the same.
These tips realy helped thx
Thanks for the information it really helped
Thank you for your tips, I know you are just trying to help. The key is not to starve, because starving can take you to the point of anxiety and you would ended eating more.
That totally makes sense. 🙂
I already do half of these tips! I have cut down on eating meat that’s for sure. I look back on last years food diary. Holy cow, sometimes weeks I ate McDonalds 2 times a day. That’s crazy to think. Looking back makes me realize how bad I was back then. Now I’m really paying attention to what I put in my body.
Thanks for posting useful information.
Honestly after going back and forth with yo yo dieting, from Keto to Vegan high carb low fat I have come to the conclusion that everything is good to eat just in moderation. And its best to try to train your body to eat less food and exercise more. Even if it means to go on a walk.
Thank you for the great tips. I had practiced these behaviors in my youth. After an injury and life style changes, now that I’m older I can not seem to keep the weight off; I’d forget about the early dinner rule. This should help me get back on track to improve my health.
We’re glad to be helpful, Brenda. 🙂
Some of these are definitely good. However, the 100 calorie snack bags are a good way to stay hungry. Cut yourself up some fruit or veggies if you’re trying to stay low calorie but fill your tummy up. And/Or consider a protein shake or a high protein yogurt like Skyr. They’re still 150 calories and have 10-25 grams of protein. These will be much more satiating and getting in more protein is better for keeping lean muscle mass while burning fat. I’d also recommend throwing out the scale. Take progress pictures if you’re trying to really change your body. Pictures will tell a fuller story than that number will. And even more importantly, be more mindful about the way you feel while you’re working on new habits. Lots of love <3
I am going to try these tips be careful what I eat I like fish and chicken best but sometimes crave beef so I do have some and nuts and berries or citrus do help my snack feelings that I get for my sweet tooth Thank you for your tips
You’re welcome! 🙂
Excellent post and wonderful blog, this sort of interesting posts I really like, keep it up…
Thank you for sharing that detail. It was fascinating and insightful. Continue to share useful resources over these blogs…
these are really good tips i have done them on my own for weight loss and the work , i drive trucks so i like to munch a lot , so eating nuts and berries are good , peanut butter no salt pretzels are good & apples or grapes works out fine. doing some fast pace walking helps and i weigh myself once a week keeps me motivated! great tips that helped me loose 30 lbs
Great tips, thanks! 🙂
This is a horrible title, some “girls who are always SK many” literally starve themselves you didn’t mention that? Also, bodies differ based on genetics and underlying health I’ve seen different people with the same eating habits but different weights. Also, what is “skinny” anyways. This title is damaging and ignorant.
I understand that some girls may starve themselves, but I’m of course not talking about them. I’m just talking about the girls who stay skinny in a healthy way.
Yes, there are also genetics, but you also must realize that out of the billions of people, there are plenty of girls who are keeping slim and doing it in a healthy way. I know plenty of them. And this is just for girls who want to do this. I’m not shaming anyone into being skinny, but sharing some tips of what I’ve learned for those who want to practice these habits.
As for what is “skinny,” well if you’re being skinny in a healthy way, then it would just mean being your height’s healthy weight. Everyone’s healthy average weight depends on their height. I hope this all makes sense! 🙂
Chill, girl. It’s really not a big deal. It’s not ignorant and if you feel damaged it’s definitely not coming from this. The majority of skinny girls who have healthy mental and physical habits may do this. Either way tho, there’s no reason to get that worked up over it.
I disagree, I think the term skinny the writer is referring to is what your healthy weight should be by your height and genetics. Your doctor could tell you what your skinny is. I don’t believe it was arrogant or ignorant, it seemed quite informed to me. Try not to take things so personally. She wasn’t shaming any figure, if you read the while article she explains well what she means. Nine of this will help excessively much without a decent amount of exercise. If only we just had the motivation to do that, and to properly portion control. Unfortunately for me, I much larger portions than recommended.. 2 slices of bread is a serving.. Maybe for a small child! XD but I experimented and only ate “serving size” on everything and cut out coke for a few weeks while exercising and I lost five pounds so.. Also.. Starving people aren’t skinny-they’re starving. Their body sufferers from lack of nutrients and vitamins.. So, they aren’t healthy skinny- which is what is stated as the topic in the first paragraph or so- healthy skinny.
Don’t be offended if you’re struggling with weight loss/gain. I’m about 30 lbs overweight myself, but I honestly felt more energetic and healthier when I was about 20 lbs lighter (my ideal weight is 45 lbs lighter, but too me, I looked like I was starving) as someone who was underweight my whole life, I’ll take the heavier me any day! 🙂 do you and don’t let things like this get to you hun. You’re beautiful either way,as the writer said. It isn’t about being skinny- it’s about being comfortable and happy with yourself. 🙂 best wishes.
You have shown all habits of girls. May be all are true. Good blog.