Your metabolism is a complex chemical process by which your body converts your food and drink into energy.
It’s like an internal engine that never stops. Sometimes, it’s cruising along, providing the energy you need for basic functioning. At other times, it revs up, such as when you’re exercising.
Whether you’re awake or asleep, your metabolism is always working on a long list of vital jobs, giving you the energy needed to:
Yes, they do.
Your metabolic rate is the number of calories your body burns while it’s doing all those vital jobs. Your basal metabolic rate is influenced by your:
So, would a muscular young man have a faster metabolism than his overweight mum? Probably. But don’t forget that larger people burn more calories even when resting.
Metabolism is complicated. Your body’s basic energy needs are fairly consistent and not easily changed. That said, you can manipulate your metabolism to some extent.
In addition to factors such as you age, sex, size and body composition, some medical conditions slow your metabolism.
Probably not. A genuinely slow metabolism is rare, and usually the result of a problem with your hormones which needs proper treatment.
If you have Cushing’s syndrome or hypothyroidism (having an underactive thyroid that slows your system down), you may well find that you experience symptoms of slow metabolism including weight gain.
In most people, though, weight gain is the result of:
You can help increase your metabolic rate by:
Increasing your metabolic rate and losing weight require long-term changes. That’s not always easy to achieve on your own.
If you want to discuss the next steps in your weight-loss journey book in for a free consultation here.