That's Fit

We all know someone like her and we all want to be her -- the woman who never gains a pound, and who never even has to think about her weight. She's just naturally slim. That cow.

OK, jealousy aside, we can all learn something from her, because good genes aside, she must be doing something differently from the rest of us. Our friends over at AOL Health recently revealed the secrets of these naturally thin women. On average, thin women tend to ...

• Get more sleep
• Eat until they're satisfied, instead of eating until they're totally stuffed
• See hunger as a minor inconvenience, not a major emergency -- meaning they can wait until a healthy option becomes available
• Not engage in emotional eating
• Eat more fruits, veggies and other healthy stuff
• Stick to a loose eating routine, rather than letting chance (and cravings) dictate the next meal
• Think twice about indulgences -- particularly if they're not hungry
• Walk a lot -- two and a half hours more per day than the average woman, in fact!

These make sense, don't they? Tell us which one you stuggle with by clicking here.

Everyone of course! I recently returned from a fabulous vacation with my family at Walt Disney World in Florida. Our six-day adventure was non-stop fun, and a major highlight of this trip were our days at the Disney water parks. We enjoyed both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon to the max and would love to go back every sunny day of the year.

I had a little sad moment though as I chatted with a father of two little ones in the kiddie section of Blizzard Beach. We were commenting on what a challenge it was to keep perfect track of our children in such a busy, water-filled place. The poor guy told me he was alone with his children, because his wife didn't feel like she could go out in public in her swimsuit. He didn't want the kids to miss out on the water fun, so he took them himself. She stayed back at their resort.

It made me amazingly sad to think that this woman felt so uncomfortable in her skin that she couldn't even enjoy a beautiful day with her family at a ridiculously perfect place. I know we all feel self conscious at times (including me). And even as my profession is to educate and inspire others to be more fit ... I wouldn't want anyone to place their life on hold because of their body shape or size. That woman is a really special part of her family, and I imagine they missed her very much.

The world as a whole seems to get bigger and bigger, and people in Japan are no exception. Well, half of them are anyway. The male half.

That's right -- studies are showing that as men in Japan get heavier and become closer to obesity, the women of Japan are staying slim and even getting slimmer on average as the years go by. In the past few decade, women on average have lost 2 kg (4.4 lb), while men have gained 4 kg (8.8 lb.)

The reason behind these changes? Women are becoming more aware of the benefits of exercise, while men are working longer hours and socializing for work more.

Guys with muscles are sexier, a study posted on Diet Blog has found. Built and toned guys were rated by women scored better on overall desirable than guys who are brawny, slender, chubby or average. And yet, the same study found that chubby guys rated best in terms of commitment. Does this mean that women think that the less attractive a man is, the more likely he is to be unfaithful in a relationship?

Moreover, slender guys are least likely to be dominant or volatile. Built guys, however, were seen as dominant and volatile, so does this mean we find men who exhibit these traits attractive? The study is pretty interesting, in that it shows that women do apply personality traits to men based on their appearance. Does it show that we women do judge a guy by his appearance, even if we don't realize it? I think so.

As for why we find muscles more appealing, I think perhaps it is an evolutionary trait. Our instinct is to find a mate who can provide for us. What do you think?