Forever Thin - More Than Genetics

Those always-slims -- it must be genetic magic. Just about everyone ends up stacking on the pounds after marriage, after kids, after 40, don't you think? You can't stay forever thin when you're not forever young, right? Wrong, says "Consumer Reports" magazine.

Except for the three percent of lifetime skinnys who exhibit couch-potato-chip behavior, always-thin respondents to a sizable "Consumer Reports" reader survey reportedly exercise vigorously and eat right. The same behaviors belonging to those who have lost weight and kept it off for considerable time. The only difference was this healthy mix comes a little easier to the always-thins. They can exercise a little less and eat a bit more than those needing to spin strategic extras for successful long-term weight loss (think food diaries or daily weighing).

Hmm, looks like I can hate those always-slims after all. Sarcasm aside, "Consumer Reports" says by following these six key behaviors, you can live forever thin:

• Portion Control -- this was most strongly correlated with a lower body mass index.
  
• Limit Fat -- less than one-third of daily intake.
• Five-A-Day -- fruits and veggie servings or more.
  
• Whole Grains -- refined (white) pasta is becoming as unpopular as white bread these days -- beyond whole grain breads and cereals, check out Barilla whole grain pastas recommended by Bob Greene's "Best Life Diet."
• Stay Home -- stay away from restaurants and eat at home. (And be smart when you do head out.)
  
• Sweat -- you've got to exercise regularly and vigorously.