Ever wondered why thin people remain slim and others who are struggling with fat always lose the good fight despite giving all they’ve got? The answer is not a complex biological explanation or some spiritual manipulations that they know and we don’t! The trick is elementary –

simple daily living tweaks, changes that cost little but are

HUGE ON RETURNS!

My slim super bod came by after I realised that certain patterns of behaviour when repeated earned me much needed fat loss points than others. So I dug in. I researched and struggled to stick with those habits, to make them my life style and hey guess what?  It worked!

So as I share these tips with you, just remember that these tips are familiar, age old, and you may have practised them unaware of their effects

#TIP NO 1 THEY READ

The slim dude you see hunched over his laptop and scrolling like crazy is not playing poker but most likely taking a quiz on the health benefits of red onions!

Slim people are hungry for info. They are not tired of audios, videos, webinars on health and keeping fit. In fact, you may find them hosting impromptu classes on wellness, sharing and learning!

#TIP NO 2 THEY DRINK WATER

The average slim adult downs a minimum of 3 litres of water a day. That comes down to 12 glasses of water. Now that’s 12 glasses of nature’s goodness-mineral rich, crystal clear and life giving fluid freely available and waiting to be picked up!

Staying hydrated is key to your health and good looks. And that means substituting water for beverages aka soda, packaged juices, teas, coffee. Make your water mobile.

#TIP NO 3 THEY EAT THE RAINBOW

Ever seen those wry, gnarled-up old guys at the village meeting? They share one thing in common, their daily platters are usually colourful- rich greens, hot reds, summery yellows – vegetables and fruits in season. They eat them raw, dried, steamed, boiled; at every meal day in day out.

#TIP NO 4 THEY ARE ACTIVE

You’ll always find your slim pal walking to the shops, taking the stairs, dancing, running. The slim woman is active wherever she is. She elects to sweat to beautify. She finds ways to add active living to her day.

#TIP NO 5 THEY ARE CREATIVE

They set out to deliberately add zest to everyday living in highly ingenuous ways. They invent moves, recipes, cocktails (healthy ones please!) and new cooking methods to keep the lamp of living burning bright.

#TIP NO 6 THEY LISTEN

To their body, their doctor, their coach and not forgetting mother! They ask questions of themselves and of the people around them. They implement directives, suggestions and are always on the lookout for results.

#TIP NO 7 THEY ARE NO QUITTERS!

They don’t easily give up on people or challenges. Situations and problems bring out the best in them. If they give free reign to their palate while on holiday, they quickly switch back to their slim trim plans once the merry making is over.

Your munch this, gobble that at the party tonight does not mean that you’ve quit making efforts to stay slim. All you need do is adjust your meals the following day!

#TIP NO 8 THEY EAT SLOWLY!

That svelte chic seated by the window at your favourite eatery and picking at her food is not ‘flexing’ but is taking her time enjoying the different textures and tastes of fare before her, enjoy the scenery playing out right in front of her, giving her brain the time it needs to acknowledge and send signals that the stomach is full.

#TIP NO 9 THEY ARE AT WAR!

With sugar in all its forms- Syrup, Caramel, Xylose, sweetener, confection, Splenda, Barley malt, High fructose corn syrup.  They read labels, pre-taste their food and refuse what they know will not be of benefit.

#TIP NO 10 THEY GET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP!

They plan their daily activities to accommodate sound sleep at night. They reduce or better still out rightly eliminate activities, foods or drinks that will increase adrenaline and cortisol especially as the sun goes west.  They engage in deliberate self-rest making out time to relax as the day draws to a close.

#TIP NO 11 THEY EAT LITTLE BITS OF EVERYTHING!

In other words, they set deliberately out not to deprive themselves. Instead they practice portion control of their favourite foods (albeit fattening foods) whilst incorporating the not so loved but healthy foods. They create meal plans that incorporate these and then stick to that plan.

#TIP NO 12 THEY LOVE THE METRICS!

Yes, your chic has a weighing scale tucked in by the side of her wardrobe! At the first sight of an upward swing in the numbers, they quickly reach for their weight loss plan and engage a cut back process of portions and much of whatever they were doing that led to the weight gain in the first place. Long story short, the skinny diva knows her BMI!

#TIP NO 13 THEY DE-STRESS

The thin madam at the salon is a de-stress champion! You find her at the movies popcorn in hand being young at heart. Slim people find time to engage in activities that keep stressors at bay- like planning the wardrobe, meals and entertainment for themselves and the kids. Hobbies like singing (even if it’s in the shower!) gardening, games, or hanging out with friends are regulars on their living dashboard.

#TIP NO 14 THEY LOVE FATS AND FIBRES

Yea healthy fats of course! So healthy oils like olive, palm, coconut; fruits like avocadoes, coconut, walnuts, almonds are regulars on their dining tables

Fibre rich foods like yams, sweet potatoes, oats, even garri (yes good old garri) beans and leafy greens of different types form part of their daily meals.

#TIP NO 15 THEY ARE PROTEIN PALS

Proteins are necessary for cell renewal and no skinny queen is gonna be without ‘em. Healthy protein options like yoghurt (from fresh milk please!) beans, lean beef and poultry, eggs, acha, oat meal and vegetables are all good for you.

#TIP NO 16 THEY DINE LIKE THE FRENCH!

They rarely eat alone. Meal times usually are opportunities to be with friends or family. And those meal times are well known to family or whosoever is living with them. So you may find your slender diva expressing surprise at your snacking habits or the absence of set meal times in your family.

#TIP NO 17 THEY LOVE INSURANCE

Of eating at home before going for an event. That way poor choices borne of ravenous feelings are snuffed out. They may in fact not eat at all not ‘cos they came prepared to party and not to graze on the lavish calorie laden fares typical of any great gig.

#TIP NO 18 THEY COOK AT HOME

They prepare their own meals at home with fresh ingredients that way they escape the restaurant trap of sugar, salt, excessive spicing and oil laden choices that keep calories rising.

Preparing your own meals gives you the control of knowing what’s in the food you are eating and the joy of knowing that you are taking good care of your self.

#TIP NO 19 THEY MUNCH RATHER THAN GOBBLE!

Your thin friend really does a lot chewing. In fact, were it possible, they’ll chew their drinks! Increased chewing enables your brain to acknowledge the food entering the stomach, activate your hormones and send signals that stomach is full. Therefore, you eat less.

#TIP NO 20 THEY AVOID DISTRACTIONS

At mealtimes.  So out with the phones, tablets, PC’s, TV’s. Distractions from your devices means that you may not pay close attention to what you are eating and the brain may not fully register your dining experience and what happens? Naturally you’ll want that brain stomach connection and so you down more food than you would have otherwise.

#TIP NO 21 THEY NIX PROCEESED CHOW

The slim dude will always wave off grub laden with processed meat, white flour, canned goodies and whatever. Instead they stock up on fish, fresh vegetable, lean meats, fruits and home prepared goodies.