‘I can’t lose weight because my metabolism is slow…’ Before genetics, this is the most commonly used excuse I hear or see. What really is metabolism, though?
Metabolism is the process by which your body converts carbohydrates, lipids (fats) and proteins plus all other chemical reactions that go on in the body into energy. You breathe, your heart beats, blood circulates, cells are always being repaired and your body is carrying out other functions that you are unaware of entirely. The number of calories your body uses for these basic functions is known as your basal metabolic rate.
Your body size and composition is just one of the many factors that determine your basal metabolic rate. Believe it or not, if you are overweight you are more likely to have a faster metabolism, not a slower one… If you weigh more or have more muscle mass, you will burn more calories, even at rest.
That diet full of fried foods, giant portions, decadent desserts, alcohol, sugary soft drinks combined with little exercise are a couple factors that contribute to weight gain, not a slow metabolism… Other factors such as certain medications and unhealthy habits, such as a lack of sleep and other physiological stress’ may also contribute to weight gain.
The most important factor in maintaining an ideal weight is to balance the amount of energy consumed with the amount of energy expended.
- If, ENERGY IN = ENERGY OUT = Maintenance of fat stores
- If, ENERGY IN > ENERGY OUT = Increase in fat stores
- If, ENERGY IN
Worrying about your metabolism isn’t going to make it any faster, hard work and smart nutrition will. Skip the excuses, smash your workouts, eat in a calorie deficit and you’ll be well on your way to a happier, healthier and slimmer, YOU!
