Is Your Metabolism Broken?

Often times when individuals struggle with weight loss or have hit the dreaded weight loss "plateau", they automatically go straight to putting the blame on their metabolism stating that it is "slow" or "broken". Unfortunately, neither one is the case, in fact, your metabolism is pretty hard to damage, though it can be done in extreme cases.....but here is the cold hard truth about metabolism. First, it is extremely complex.....shocker, right? Next, metabolism doesn't necessarily run either fast or slow, or any direction for that matter. It does do one major thing though; it keeps us alive.

So what does have an impact on our metabolism? Well, to break it down it is our behaviors and practices in everyday life like what we eat or how we move...or IF we move! Sleep, stress, and how we care for ourselves also play a role in our overall metabolic health and how it functions.

In an effort to improve your metabolic health, you can focus on the following key strategies:

• Balance your diet - Focus on whole and nutrient dense foods such as vegetables and fruits, lean protein and grains and limit added sugars and processed foods.

• Exercise regularly - Engaging in both strength training and cardio will improve insulin sensitivity and promote weight management.

• Get adequate sleep - Sleeping for around 7-9 hours a night can improve hormone levels including those involved in metabolism.

• Manage your stress - Practice stress reducing techniques like deep breathing, meditation, stretching, and even spending time in nature to lower cortisol levels and support healthy metabolism.

• Hydration - Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, which can disrupt hormone levels and balance which have an impact on metabolism.

• Manage medical conditions - Talk to your healthcare provider and get regular check-ups to monitor key indicators of metabolic health.

Incorporating these simple lifestyle changes will help you improve your metabolic health and reduce the risk of metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.