Are you wondering why you are eating all of the right things and exercising but still bloated and tired?
Your metabolism might not be as fast as it can be! Metabolism converts food into energy through chemical reactions happening in your body. Each chemical reaction correlates to another bodily function such as how your body can exfoliate your pores all on its own.
It is also important to remember that if you are not “eliminating” enough, you could be carrying extra weight and not properly digesting the nutrients you obtain from foods. It is called eliminating because you are literally eliminating the toxins in your body that could be weighing you down. Poor elimination can also slow down your metabolism. Reminder - colon cleanses and detoxes are temporary! (Check out my post on colon cleanses!)
Are you going to the bathroom enough times each day? If you have a healthy metabolism and a fiber-rich diet, you should have bowel movements 1-3 times a day. Good digestion and proper elimination contributes to energy and weight control.
How does metabolism affect my energy?
Thyroxine is a hormone released from your thyroid which helps to control the rate of the chemical reactions that occur during the process of metabolism. The metabolic process is a balance of the building up and breaking down tissue and energy storage.
Some people call anabolism constructive metabolism because it is the building up part. It includes the growth of new cells, energy storage, and the care of bodily tissue. The production of small molecules turning into more complex molecules of fat, carbohydrates, and protein occurs during anabolism as well.
Catabolism, AKA destructive metabolism, breaks down the complex molecules and transforms it into energy for anabolism and cell activity. It also heats the body and allows the body to move through muscles contraction. The excess from complex molecules breaking down into smaller molecules is released through your skin, lungs, kidneys, and intestine.
Adrenal glands control when your body releases the stored fat to give you energy and if this doesn’t happen properly then your metabolism can get out of whack and cause sugar cravings.
Iron and Vitamin B deficiencies can cause anemia, not enough red blood cells. This can cause your metabolism to slow down which causes you to lose energy. So if you don’t have enough energy to get through a normal day, keep reading to learn how to speed up your metabolism!
Are you not able to lose weight or do you gain unexpected weight? It probably means that your metabolism is lacking. Also, the hormones that regulate your metabolism control your hair, skin, and nails so a telltale sign of a slow metabolism is dry or damaged hair, skin, and nails.
Having a healthy metabolism helps to have clear skin because the skin cells are able to regenerate and communicate with each other to make proper adjustments to balance each other.
How can I achieve a faster metabolism?
To boost your metabolism eat lots of protein, drink cold water, and perform high-intensity workouts. Food will give you fuel and energy but it also boosts your metabolism because it takes energy to digest and absorb food. This is called the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF). Protein causes the largest TEF increase but also makes you feel full so you won’t overeat. If you are trying to lose weight, eat protein! When you are losing fat, your metabolism drops because of the muscle loss and protein will help to build lean muscle.
Drink COLD water! Water in general tends to help bloating, energy, and skin because it boosts your metabolism. Cold water is even better because your body has to work to heat it back up which causes calorie expenditure. Water also helps to make you feel fuller so you won’t overeat.
A high-intensity workout is better than a regular workout because your body works extremely hard for a few days a week instead of a medium effort for more days. When you are more active, it causes a bigger boost of metabolism and calorie expenditure.
If your metabolism isn’t where you want it to be, remember to have a fiber and protein rich diet, drink plenty of water, and participate in difficult workouts!
