Good News Tucson - A Family Values Publication

The Truth About Metabolism by Vera Knight

I am asked all the time about metabolism. People complain that their weight problem is due to the fact that their metabolism is slow and in some cases they believe it is non-existent. “I asked my doctor to test my thyroid” – I hear it repeatedly. People with sedentary desk jobs or perhaps daily vending machine or fast food habits do not recognize this as part of the problem.

You see, very few people have a medical thyroid (or metabolism) problem. Yes, there are things you can do to boost your metabolism - and things you can do that will slow it down - but metabolism is usually not the culprit of excess weight.

What is metabolism? Simply put, it is the rate at which your body burns calories just to stay alive.

Here are a few metabolism facts to clear away some of the untruths you may have heard:

l Metabolism is greatly affected by how much muscle you have or don’t have. Body composition is a major determining factor of metabolism. That’s why increasing your muscle is at the top of the list. This can be accomplished without a gym membership.

l Cutting calories too much will cause your metabolism to slow down. Yikes! Your body needs enough calories (fuel) to get through the day. If you cut your calories too much or go too long between meals, your metabolism slows down to conserve energy.

l Getting older is not the culprit. In fact, much of the slowing of our metabolism as we age is due to loss of muscle. You do not lose muscle quickly due to aging – rather you lose it due to a decrease or lack of physical activity.

l Your metabolism increases for up to several hours after a strength training or aerobic workout. For how long depends on the length and intensity of your workout.

l Grapefruit will not increase your metabolism or burn fat from your body. No specific foods are shown to have metabolic boosting properties (beware of false claims and fad diets, all of which can slow your metabolism).

Movement, otherwise known as exercise, and a solid eating plan remain the tried and true solutions to achieving and maintaining your ideal weight, there is no magic… but you knew that already, didn't you?

Vera Knight is an ACE certified Master Trainer and Fitness & Wellness Coach, with over 10 years in the fitness industry, and owner of Focus Fitness Personal Training Studio where fitness happens in an environment that's motivating, uplifting, inspiring and welcoming. Contact Vera at www.focusfitnesstucson.com, 1116 S. Pantano Rd., Tucson 85710, 520 404 2069 or 891 9883.