Is Your Metabolism Keeping You From Losing Weight?

The short answer is yedescribe the images. But, there are several things you can do to change it. You may have been able to eat anything you wanted without gaining a pound when you were younger. Not anymore! With our society putting so much emphasis on obesity, there is a lot of misinformation out there.

Risky Diets

One of the most common ways to approach weight loss is through rapid weight loss diets. Sticking to a restrictive diet and working hard through intense exercise isn’t easy. Initially the ability to reach a weight loss goal in a short amount of time feels good.

Unfortunately, many times this rapid loss also results in significant muscle loss. And, because the weight was lost so quickly, the body reacts to the loss and causes the person to regain the lost weight and sometimes even more even if they maintain a sensible diet.

By checking your hormones, vitamin and nutrient levels, you may uncover an imbalance that is effecting more than your appetite. Once you address these your metabolism and weight loss plan will begin to work for you .

Genetics

Although many of our traits are attributed to genetics, we can still build a solid foundation that will support a healthy metabolic rate. Your genes and body responds to stimuli. If you have an excess of sugar in your diet, your body will perform differently than if there is little or no sugar. The choices we make every day trigger our bodies to respond.  It is not easy, but with a little help you can take steps to control your weight and metabolism instead of allowing it to control you. For example, keeping a food diary is a good first step toward uncovering unhealthy habits and identifying triggers.

Slow Progress

Unlike rapid weight loss diets, altering your body’s muscle mass takes time and consistent effort. Each pound of muscle can burn up to 60 calories per day. As you lose fat and build muscle, your health and physique will improve but it takes time and commitment. One way to help you stay motivated is to explore new healthy snacks to make every bite count toward your good health.

Other Factors

Hormones like Thyroid, Cortisol and Testosterone effect carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Thyroid stimulates the metabolism and is therefore closely tied to weight gain and loss. A high level of Cortisol can suppress Thyroid causing excess fat storage, and Testosterone is responsible for building and maintaining muscle.

Several B vitamins can limit or enhance the effectiveness of your metabolism. The nutrient Acetyl-­L-­Carnitine helps your body use fatty acids to create energy. Alpha Lipoic Acid assists glucose breakdown. Once you have talked to a naturopathic doctor about your weight loss goals, he or she can guide you toward a healthy diet and weight.

The Secret

The reason that you can no longer eat anything you want without gaining weight is that beginning in your late 20’s, your body’s muscle mass gradually decreases. For many of us, the lost muscle is soon replaced by fat but your weight doesn't go up right away even though the fat does. By the time your weight is going up most of the time a lot has changed.

The good news is that it takes more energy to fuel muscle tissue than fat, even during periods of rest. The best way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight is to build up your muscle mass, eat a sensible diet and exercise regularly. 

Press Reset

If you wish to reset your metabolism, it would be wise to have your hormone, vitamin, and nutrient levels checked. After addressing any deficiencies and imbalances, building muscle mass to replace fat through a sensible diet and regular exercise can get you on the road to optimal health. Complete the form on the right to contact our Phoenix naturopathic doctors and get started on your road to weight loss.