My Metabolism Has Changed: What Can I Do To Activate It Again?
We spend months and months following strict diets, we take maximum care of each food we put on our plates, and yet we do not see results. We cannot lose weight. Not a gram. What is this about? It’s about metabolism.
The usual thing is that we go to the doctor and that a nutritionist prescribes us a more adjusted diet according to our particularities. However, it is always worth knowing why this problem is due and what are the guidelines that we should follow. In this sense, the metabolism can change due to many factors.
What is metabolism?
We have heard many times about metabolism, and how it influences us when it comes to losing weight more or less quickly. However, sometimes we get used to using terms without knowing very well what they really are.
Then, explained in a simple way, we will tell you that metabolism is a set of chemical reactions, through which we release energy and promote the proper functioning of the body’s cells.
All these processes are carried out through catabolism and anabolism, essential processes that help us to:
- Enhance blood circulation.
- Regulate body temperature.
- Breathe and get oxygen for the cells.
- Allow us to properly digest food and nutrients.
- Eliminate waste through urine and feces.
As you can see, it is a complex mechanism that includes important basic processes for the body and that, in turn, also involves numerous organs.
In essence, metabolization is a complex web of physicochemical reactions that change over time and that can also be affected by external causes. Let’s see more below.
Why does the metabolism change?
Hormonal changes
The metabolism changes over the years.
Although it is true that the weight of genetics determines whether we inherit a more active or slower metabolism, as we mature, the ease of losing weight becomes more complicated.
For what is this?
- As the years go by, women reach menopause, and we produce less estrogen and progesterone. All this is causing small changes.
- There is a slowdown in the metabolic rate and a decrease in basal metabolism. In other words, we need less energy on a day-to-day basis, and any excess that the body does not need turns into stored fat.
- In addition, we lose muscle mass, which also becomes a decrease in metabolic rate.
Physical exercise
It is possible that you come home tired, that you do not stop all day and that, however, all that activity does not reflect on your body.
- You must bear in mind that standing, for example , does not help burn energy, nor does walking at a normal pace.
- The heart needs to “start up”, to accelerate at an adequate rate, not very high but constant.
- We are talking about aerobic exercise, that which promotes heart health and activates the metabolism.
- Leading a sedentary life or one of moderate or low activity accustoms the body to a stable level of energy. At this point we can “not gain” weight but, nevertheless, we will not be able to reduce those extra kilos.
Intake of certain foods
There are certain foods that, eaten on a regular basis, can help us to start our metabolism. Now, if we accustom the body to a certain type of components, we will be able to slow down all those basic processes at the cellular level that we told you about at the beginning.
Try to avoid excess of:
- Sugars
- Red meat
- Saturated fats.
- Refined flours
- Ultra-processed.