It’s one of the most popular reasons for not eating healthier foods, getting the right nutrition and losing weight.
“I have a slow metabolism”
But a “slow metabolism” has little or no effect on anyone’s ability to lose weight. It’s just a convenient excuse.
You can keep making excuses or you can learn more about your metabolism and the role it plays in your health and wellbeing – and how to use it to help you manage your weight.
1. It’s All About Your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate)
Essentially, your metabolism is the process your body goes through to convert food energy (calories) into the energy it needs to perform all its functions. Everyone’s basal metabolic rate – or how much energy you burn while at rest – is different. If you are planning to boost your metabolism to lose and/or control your weight, your BMR is the benchmark from which you can measure your progress.
2. Make Sure You Get Your Protein
One of the main reasons for weight gain is an unbalanced diet where too many calories are consumed from simple carbohydrates. Balancing your diet not only reduces the extra calories you get from the simple carbs – most of which get stored as fat if they are not quickly burned off – but it increases how much protein you eat. Protein builds muscle and muscle increases your BMR.
3. Men vs. Women
It’s just not fair. The fact that muscle increases metabolism means that men have a higher BMR than women. There are numerous studies that show men will generally lose weight faster than women when placed on similar diets and activity schedules.
4. How Much & How Often You Eat Affects Your Metabolism
If you skip breakfast or any other meal thinking that it will help you lose weight because you’re eating less, you’re wrong. Remember Fact #1 above. It’s all about your BMR. When you rob your body of energy (calories) at one point of the day, and then overload it with energy with a big meal at another time, it can destabilize your insulin levels and cause metabolic dysfunction. Whether you graze or eat three squares, be consistent throughout the day and eat healthy snacks.
5. You Get a lot More than Weight Loss
While shedding the pounds is reason enough for anyone to learn more about increasing their metabolism, it’s just one of the many benefits you’ll enjoy. The same hormones that affect your weight and physical health also control your mood, sex drive and stress levels. And they all improve when your BMR increases.
Your metabolism and BMR are affected by many different factors. Everyone’s metabolism is different and you need to discover what works best to boost yours. The nutritional consultants at your local Herbal One Centre can help you determine your BMR and show you ways of using it to help you lose weight healthily.