Metabolism refers to the breakdown of food into energy for the body and the rate of metabolism differs for different people.
Some people are known to have faster metabolic rates while others notice slower metabolic rates. But are slower metabolisms the major cause of weight gain? Absolutely not.
This blog explores the facts linking metabolism to weight and reasons out why slow / fast metabolisms alone are not good indicators for weight loss or gain.
METABOLISM – AN EXPLANATION
Metabolism is a process by which calories from our food intake are used to create energy for the body to maintain normal body function.
- Metabolic reactions take place even if the body is at rest, to produce energy for life-giving functions like blood circulation, breathing, cell regeneration and the like.
- The quantity of calories needed to perform these life-giving body functions is called Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). And this metabolic rate differs between people based on their age, weight, gender and genetics.
- Therefore, an individual with a faster metabolism burns more calories at rest than someone who has a slower metabolism, which is why it is easier to maintain / lose weight with a faster metabolism.
SLOW METABOLISM AND WEIGHT LOSS
It is true that the higher the metabolism, the easier it is to lose weight, and that people with slower metabolisms tend to take time to lose weight. But, it is unreasonable to blame weight gain on slow metabolism alone.
What matters more for weight loss is the lifestyle you live, the foods you eat and the amount of physical activity you get in every day.
- A lifestyle filled with bad food choices and an uncontrolled quantity of calories consumed is what compounds to weight gain.
- And if there is no proper exercise routine, then it is difficult to maintain body weight for long-term, even if you manage to reduce weight over the short-term.
Therefore, bringing up slow metabolism simply to justify weight gain is wrong.
WHAT MATTERS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Research proves that weight loss success stories have only the following things in common:
- Regular workouts,
- Calorie deficit,
- Calorie tracking and
- Portion control
Researchers surveyed a large sample of individuals who all had different metabolic rates and were on different diet and fitness regimes. All their success stories depended on a lifestyle change and not on metabolism.
So, if you have trouble losing weight or are currently overweight, then you need to consciously make better lifestyle choices rather than focus on metabolism. It is also important to understand that you need not starve yourself to lose weight. Stick to a calorie deficit and enjoy the foods you love in moderation.
