Surprising Habits That Are Destroying Your Metabolism

Did you know your metabolism does a lot more than just burn calories? It’s basically like your body’s engine that supports all kinds of bodily functions, from energy levels to mood to digestion and hormone balance. When it’s high, or fast, you burn more calories, but when it slows down, it can make it tough to maintain weight, feel energized and stay healthy.

It turns out, a lot of common habits can actually be causing your metabolism to stall, but these expert-backed strategies can help get it back on track.

• Not eating enough - It doesn’t sound logical, but undereating can cause your metabolism to slow down because the body goes into energy-conserving mode when it’s not getting enough calories. That can make it harder to lose fat and leave you tired, irritable and lead to muscle breakdown. Avoid that by eating a balanced diet with enough calories for your needs and activity level.
• Waiting too long before eating - Intermittent fasting is great for some folks, but for others it can cause energy dips, increased cravings and a slower metabolism. Health experts advise starting the day with a balanced breakfast full of protein, healthy fats and complex carbs to prevent that.
• Sitting too much - Even if you exercise regularly, sitting for too long can drastically slow your metabolic rate, but standing, stretching and walking every hour can help activate your muscles and boost your metabolism.
• Not prioritizing strength training - "Building muscle is one of the most effective ways to boost your metabolism," explains personal trainer Lola Lopez Guardone. "Muscle burns more calories at rest than fat, so strength training is essential for long-term metabolic health."
• Not sleeping enough - Sleep deprivation affects hormones like leptin and ghrelin that regulate hunger and fullness and over time, not getting enough sleep can lead to weight gain and a slower metabolism.
• Always feeling stressed - That triggers cortisol, which can increase fat storage, especially around the waistline. Finding ways to manage stress, like walking and meditating, can help lower cortisol levels and keep your metabolism going strong.
• Not getting enough protein - Your body needs plenty of protein to maintain lean muscle mass, so make sure you're eating enough lean protein, like tofu, Greek yogurt and legumes.

Source: Eat This, Not That