You probably know someone who can eat everything in sight, but still struggles to keep weight on. But you probably can’t, right? But why? Is it just your genes, or is there something more going on?
Yes, your genetic makeup does count for something, but it’s actually only one piece of the puzzle. A larger piece? The choices you’ve been making, every day, for years.
When we starve ourselves on yo-yo diets, eat processed foods, surround ourselves with toxins, work beyond the point of exhaustion, all these choices influence the way our metabolism processes food, burns calories, and regulates weight.
To manipulate all of this to your benefit, instead of to your detriment, you need to first understand what damage has already been done.
Some of the top causes of a slow metabolism are:
Too many years of not exercising: You’ve spent a lot of time on the couch, so you can’t exactly blame your lagging metabolism on your lack of exercise.
The Cure? Start small, just with 10 minutes for 3 times a week. It can be walking on a treadmill, doing jumping jacks and push up or even doing two-minute planks. But the key is just to be consistent with small things first, then go into a full 45 minute workout later on (after about two months of being consistent with a shorter time).
Too many yo-yo diets: Instead of maintaining a stable weight, you’ve developed a frustrating up-and-down weight-loss pattern.
The Cure? Stop dieting and, instead, adopt a healthier way of eating.
You’re on an unhealthy eating cycle: You’ve repeatedly gone on extreme diets and lost weight, then you’ve slipped back into your old ways of eating and regained that weight.
The Cure? Write down what you eat. Studies have shown once you start to look at what you actually ate, you start to make healthier choice and end the unhealthy eating cycle.
Too many processed foods: You’ve consumed “frankenfoods” that your body doesn’t recognize as real food — because they’re not!
The Cure? Eat fresh fruits, veggies and lean proteins. Stop eating so much of the unnatural stuff!
Too many pesticides in your food: Some farmers spray harmful pesticides on our food, and you’ve chosen those over more organic options.
The Cure? Go organic at least the top four vegetables you eat daily. When you can’t, make sure you’re scrubbing with a brush to help at least control some of the damage.
Too many toxins in our environment: More than 100,000 synthetic chemicals have been registered for commercial use — with 2,000 more added each year — but very few of them have been tested adequately for toxicity. You’ve been exposed to many synthetic chemicals in products in and around your home.
The Cure? Replace home products with synthetic ingredients with healthier options, such as your shower curtain.
Too many hours at work — and not enough in bed: You’ve let yourself get stressed out. Stress is like kryptonite for your hormones — even just a bit of it can throw them entirely out of whack.
The Cure? Make time for sleep. Sleep at least 6 hours a night while aiming for 7-8 hours (HINT: you may need to go to bed earlier!)
Too many drugs: You’ve taken prescriptions dashed off by your doctor and haven’t always…
… checked out how they might interact with certain herbs, vitamins, or other supplements or prescriptions. All these pharmaceuticals could have a serious impact on your hormonal health. The fix? Make sure your doctor knows any and all supplement you’re taking. Also, ask questions. When they prescribe something, ask if it’s absolutely necessary, how the medication may affect your body, and if you need to make any adjustment to your eating/supplement regimen. Remember that you can also ask your pharmacist these questions.
Too many cigarettes: You’ve ignored all the medical findings on the damage smoking can cause. Smoking negatively impacts endocrine glands, which produce hormones, in addition to pretty much every cell in your body. The fix? Stop. Smoking.
Basically too much, period! Yes, there is no denying that we all struggle daily in a world that’s not always good for us. But you can start doing several basic things to make yourself and your home healtheir…and boost that metabolism.
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