49 Habits of “Naturally Thin” People

Everyone knows one. The person who can eat whatever he wants, but remains thin and trim while the rest of us gain weight just thinking about food or by missing a single workout.

But not to worry. Weight loss can be a natural part of your life and you don’t have to give up the foods you love or join an expensive gym. How? Just adopt some tricks naturally lean people do — balancing calories in small ways that add up to big benefits. Pick the ones you like, stick with them, and watch yourself slim down and tone up — for good.

Morning Makeover | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fixes | Around Town | On the Home Front | The Weekend

Morning Makeover

1. Burn 10 calories with a wake–up workout that strengthens your core.
   When your eyes open, sit up slowly without using your hands. With legs straight out, lean forward until you feel a gentle stretch in your back and hamstrings. Hold. Then, using your abs, lower yourself flat. Rest and repeat two more times.
2. Save 100 calories by going for the grains.
   Sprinkle on your cereal a few tablespoons of wheat germ or oat bran. Work up to three–fourths cup of low–sugar, whole–grain cereal with at least three grams of fiber per serving, and you’ll pass on that donut.
3. Save 200–plus calories by adding some protein.
   Research has shown the more you eat early on, the less you eat as the day wears on. So after your cereal, eat a hard–boiled egg or a part–skim mozzarella cheese stick to keep you feeling full — and away from that pre–lunch brownie.
4. Burn 10 calories, and boost your balance by brushing your teeth.
   While you brush your teeth, alternate standing on one leg as you switch mouth quadrants (every 30 seconds). Balancing develops your core muscles and may even be good for your brain.
5. Burn 10 calories, and tone your thighs — all while waiting for your coffee.
   As your coffee drips, stand sideways, put one hand on the counter, and lift the outside leg straight out in front of you, keeping it extended. With upper body straight, hold for a few seconds and move it to the side; hold and extend it behind you. Do five to 10 times on each leg.
6. Save 60 calories with 2 percent.
   Milk, that is. Instead of pouring into your mug that one–third cup of half–and–half, which has a whopping 105 calories, replace it with the same amount of 2 percent milk.
7. Save 300 calories and better your bagel.
   You can walk 10,000 steps to justify your 500–calorie bagel with cream cheese, or try this: low–fat spreadable cheese like Laughing Cow Light on an English muffin.

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– Adapted from Reader’s Digest’s ChangeOnediet.com

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