We tend to talk about our metabolisms as if they’re something set in stone.
“My metabolism is SO slow. I’ll NEVER lose the weight!”
As if they’re some sort of “set it and forget it” arrangement by our Creator that we just have to live with.
But the truth is you have far more control over your metabolism than you realize. If it’s on the sluggish or slow side, you’re NOT stuck.
You can turn things around.
I’ll share the six secret steps to a speedy fat-burning metabolism in just a few moments. But first let’s take a quick look at how your metabolism works.
Metabolism basics
Each of your cells contains its own little energy factories. These mitochondria convert the air you breathe and the food you eat into the fuel which runs your body.
And when those energy factories are working at the top of their game, they hum along efficiently burning through the calories you take in. The result is a fast metabolism and a body that remains lean and healthy.
But in some cases, the mitochondria become bogged down. They no longer process the calories we eat effectively. More calories end up getting stored as fat. And you’re left with a slow metabolism and have difficulty losing weight.
Born with a slow metabolism
Now don’t worry. If you’ve fought a weight problem all your life I’m not going to tell you that a slow metabolism is your fault. And if you’ve been slim for most of your life but now suddenly find yourself battling a pot belly, you won’t find any judgements here either.
Because I’ll let you in on a little secret. You were right all along. Genetics do play a big part in your metabolism. And you really can be born with a slow metabolism.
That’s why, for example, folks who have a close family member with type 2 diabetes are significantly more likely to have sluggish mitochondria. And those little energy factories may not burn calories nearly as effectively as they should, even if you aren’t overweight.
That means you’re at a higher risk for developing diabetes and obesity yourself. Plus aging and certain chronic diseases mess with your metabolism too.
Beware of these metabolism busters
But as I said earlier, you’re NOT powerless over your metabolism. You do have the ability to guide it and change it. And as you probably already suspect, it all begins with diet.
The food you eat fuels your body. And when you feed it mostly processed food that’s loaded up with inflammatory sugars, junk carbohydrates and highly refined oils you can cause a slowdown in your energy factories.
Eating more food than your mitochondria can effectively process will overload the system too. And those unconverted calories end up in all the places you don’t want them such as around your middle and hanging off your upper arms.
It’s a lot like that “I Love Lucy” episode at the candy factory. When Ethel and Lucy can’t keep up with the chocolates flying by on the belt they start shoving the candy everyplace it doesn’t belong, such as into their mouths and hats.
Crash dieting, exposure to pesticides and other toxins and unbalanced gut flora can all do major metabolism damage too.
6 simple steps to a speedy metabolism
But don’t panic it’s not all bad news. You can turn things back around. And it’s likely far easier than you imagine.
Following are six steps you can take, starting today, to claim the speedy metabolism you deserve.
1. Fixate on healthy fats:
Your mitochondria adore healthy fats. So if you’ve been eating a low fat diet in an effort to lose weight stop. Just make the switch to healthy fats like those that you’ll find in nuts, seeds, avocados and coconut oil.
2. Slash sugar & refined flours:
The typical Western diet is far too high in simple sugars and junk carbs. These inflammatory foods stress out your mitochondria slowing your metabolism. Lower the junk carbohydrates and added sugars in your diet. Replace them with more delicious, filling proteins and smart carbs instead.
3. Pack in the produce:
Next time you’re in the grocery store take a good look at the produce section. You’ll notice there’s a rainbow of vibrant colors from the deepest greens to the brightest reds.
Those fruits and veggies are so colorful for a reason. They’re nature’s way of shouting, “EAT ME!” And when you do, those antioxidant-rich plant foods will help fight off the toxins and oxidative stress that damage your mitochondria and slow your metabolism.
4. Make a move:
When you don’t exercise, you literally lose mitochondria. And the ones you still have slow down. But regular exercising will help your body make more of these essential energy factories and bring your sluggish ones back up to speed. Mix things up with strength training on some days and aerobic exercise on others.
5. Tuck in on time:
If you’re regularly cutting corners when it comes to sleep, be prepared to pack on the pounds. Study after study has found when we don’t get adequate rest our metabolism takes a nose dove. Commit to a regular sleep schedule that allows you to get seven hours of quality shuteye a night.
6. Eat more energy-boosters:
Feed your body more energy boosting nutrients to keep your metabolism humming along.
- CoQ10: Eat more CoQ10 rich foods such as grass-fed beef, pasture-raised eggs, strawberries, broccoli and pistachios. And consider a supplement too since our bodies become less efficient at converting the nutrient into its active form as we age.
- B-vitamins: Eat wild caught fish, grass-fed beef, dairy foods and pastured poultry and eggs. You can also take a B-complex supplement to cover all your bases.
- Alpha lipoic acid: Eat more spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, green peas and Brussel’s sprouts. Alpha lipoic acid is also available as a supplement.
The truth is even if you were born with a slow metabolism you don’t have to live with it. Give your mitochondria what they crave with these six secret steps and you’ll be well on your way to the speedy, fat burning metabolism you want.
She is an advocate of self-education and is passionate about the power of group knowledge sharing, like the kind found right here on HealthierTalk.com. Alice loves to share her views on holistic and natural healing as well as her, sometimes contentious, thoughts on the profit-driven inner workings of traditional medicine.
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