Common Myths About Metabolism
•Weight loss
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Our metabolism is what sustains us, but it’s often misunderstood and shrouded in myths! Misconceptions can lead to worry and confusion around weight loss, weight management and overall health. Let’s uncover some of the common myths.
Metabolism Is Solely Determined By Genetics
While genetics do play a role in how your metabolism runs, it is not the sole determinant! A lot of people are under the impression that they’ve got their genetic to blame for any metabolic irregularities, but lifestyle factors are a huge influence.
Diet, physical activity and sleep patterns all influence your metabolic rate. Just remember, while genetics are a large part of your metabolism, some of it falls on you!
Losing Weight Speeds Up Metabolism
This is one of the most misunderstood topics about metabolism. Weight loss is often associated with a faster metabolism, but the reality is a bit more nuanced. Initial weight loss may rev up your metabolism, but after weight loss, your body needs fewer calories to maintain its new size. Consequently, your metabolism can slow down to match the reduced demand for energy. This is just our body’s natural responses and one of the reasons we hit a weight loss plateau at some point in our journey.
Your Metabolism Doesn’t Change Throughout Life
Your metabolism changes quite a bit throughout life! It’s typically at its highest when we’re first born and remains elevated as a kid to support things like growth spurts and brain development. It slows down once we reach adulthood, it’s just a natural part of ageing.
Understanding your metabolism can help you determine your goals — learn more about how it changes throughout life here!
Skipping Meals Speeds Up Metabolism
This is far from the truth! Eating regularly is actually more beneficial for your metabolism than skipping meals. While there’s not much we can do to speed it up significantly, there are some lifestyle habits that will at the very least keep it running smoothly and provide a slight boost.
When you’re on a weight loss journey, it’s a good idea to learn about your metabolism to make changes that align with your goals, but weight loss is not solely determined by the speed of your metabolism, so get that out of your mind!
