Faster metabolism is crucial for losing weight and keeping it off. Previously, we have discussed how to achieve a faster metabolism and optimize your body for the highest caloric burn. Today, I would like to talk about how to keep it from slowing down.
A faster metabolism is like a freight train going full speed, it will take a real effort to slow it down. This means you can get away with things like less exercise and a more lenient diet without too many consequences. Yes, that means you can do a bit less and eat a bit more, and your body will burn the calories in an efficient way, keeping you looking fit year round. Unfortunately, there are several common mistakes that may be slowing down your metabolism. Doing these on a regular basis could make it hard to lose weight and make you more prone to weight gain in the future.
So today, I would like to introduce you to the 7 things that you may be doing that slow down your metabolism. Avoid these and keep your freight train going full speed!
7 Things to Avoid to Achieve a Faster Metabolism
1. Eating too little
Eating too few calories can cause a major decrease in metabolism. Although a calorie deficit is needed for weight loss, it can work against you to drop your calorie intake too low. When you dramatically lower your calorie intake, your body senses that food is scarce and lowers the rate at which it burns calories. If you’re going to lose weight by calorie restriction, then don’t restrict your calorie intake too much or for too long.
2. Irregular meal timing
Irregular meal timings confuse your body as it becomes tough to decipher when will be your next meal. It’s important to have small and frequent meals with nearly similar timings everyday to keep metabolic rate high. Try eating at the same times every day trains the body to burn more calories between meals.
3. Skipping protein
Eating enough protein is extremely important for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Studies have shown that, in addition to helping you feel full, a high protein intake can significantly increase the rate at which your body burns calories. Proteins also increase lean body mass which in turn increases your metabolic rate
4. Lack of physical activity or irregular exercise regime
Daily workout helps in speeding up digestion. Any kind of physical activity is very important for our metabolism. Regularity in whichever physical activity you do is the key to a faster metabolism. Lack of exercise reduces muscle mass and makes you put on fat which in turn reduces Base Metabolic Rate (BMR).
5. Not getting enough sleep
Sleep is extremely important for good health. Sleeping fewer hours than you need may increase your risk of a number of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and depression. Several studies have found that inadequate sleep may also lower your metabolic rate and increase your likelihood of weight gain. Getting adequate, high-quality sleep and sleeping at night rather than during the day can help preserve your metabolic rate.
6. Taking on too much stress
Stress not only slows the metabolism but also causes a lot of other health problems. Some amount of stress is normal, but when there is stress for prolonged period of time, it does slow down the metabolism, due to which, digestion gets affected, efficiency to work slows down. Body produces more insulin and a stress hormone ‘cortisol.’ Both of these accelerate the fat storage and therefore weight gain.
7. Not drinking enough water
How can we forget water while talking about faster metabolism? Water is key for a normal functioning body. When we deprive our body from water, its tendency to function properly slows down. Water speeds up metabolism and is also essential in losing weight. It helps us feel fuller and curbs off the cravings. Drinking water does have a thermogenic effect as there is some energy expenditure to bring the water temperature to the level of body temperature. Water is also essential for losing weight as it helps us feel fuller and curbs off the cravings.
A faster metabolism has a lot to offer, when it comes to weight loss and staying fit. It’s important to remember that we are all different and each of us requires an individual approach. Book an appointment with me (in-person, via Skype or on the phone) and I would love to put together a nutrition strategy that will help you lose weight, stay healthy and feel great, without extreme fad-diets!
About the Author: Ana Plenter
