slim

There could be any number of reasons why Japanese people are generally thought of as much slimmer than their western counterparts -- Maybe it's genetics or maybe it's something they're doing differently. Since we can't change our genetics, but we can change out habits, here are five dieting tips from Japan:

• Driving isn't too Popular in Japan
• People Eat Lots of Fish in Japan
• Tofu is a Favorite in Japan
• Slower Eating is Practiced in Japan
• Canned and Frozen Vegetables are Avoided in Japan

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We all know the camera adds 10 pounds and while there are special, slimming cameras you can use to help battle the bulge, there are also some simple tips you can use to make sure your subjects are happy with the way they look on film.

Sublime Light features some great tips for keeping your friends feeling slim and trim. It's important to remember that lighting can be your best friend and worst enemy when it comes to photography, but it can't always be controlled. Some items you can control are:

• Get up high - Elevate your position. Try standing on a chair or stool when you take the picture. Your subject will need to look up at you slightly, and in doing so will be stretching out the extra chin a bit, making it disappear behind the real chin. If your subject is on the larger side do not take his or her picture from a low angle.
• Twist the body - Have your subject twist sideways with their feet (if standing), or twist their legs (if sitting).
• Use the right lens - Be very careful with those wide angle lenses. They can be fun sometimes, but can really pack on the pounds.

For more suggestions, check out the Sublime Light guide.
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Do you hate your coworker because she eats whatever she wants and never works out yet still is thin? Well don't because chances are she is TOFI.

TOFI stands for "Thin on the Outside, Fat on the Inside." New studies are finding the fat deposits these so called Tofis carry are hidden in the white fat that lies around their vital organs, streaked through their underused muscles and wrapped around the heart. This hidden fat (rather than the fat lying in dimples underneath the skin) that can only be seen in high-tech MRI scanners is what sends out chemical signals, potentially leading to insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and heart conditions.

Consider this: Sumo wrestlers have a BMI of 56 and eat up to 5,000 calories a day, but they have very little internal fat. Surprisingly they also have low cholesterol, low insulin resistance and a low level of fatty acids. This seems to be due to the fact that their fat is all stored under the skin, on the outside.

Research is still being done on TOFI but as of now the best way researchers have discovered to combat the dangerous hidden fat is to eat a healthy diet with lots of dietary fiber. As always, exercising is always a good addition for anyone looking to be healthy, overweight or not.