4 Metabolism Myths That Keep You From Losing Weight

Losing weight can definitely be a struggle — and often, it can seem like the struggle is harder for some than for others. 

For anyone who’s struggled with losing weight, it can be frustrating to see a friend or loved one drop those excess pounds with ease — and it’s also easy to attribute their success to a “faster” metabolism that literally tips the scales in their favor. 

But while your metabolism can definitely play a role in your own weight-loss journey, its role isn’t as clear-cut as you might think. All too often, myths and misconceptions about metabolism interfere with weight loss or give us excuses that can keep us from finding real solutions that work.

At STL Medical Weight Loss, Joseph Moleski, DO, and Laura Howard, FNP, are committed to helping patients understand the reasons for weight challenges so they can overcome them. Here, they explore four metabolism myths that could be holding you back.

1. Metabolism never changes

While research shows it’s true that your genes have an impact on your metabolism and the way it works, that doesn’t mean your metabolism is unchangeable. In fact, your metabolism does change throughout your life — and what’s more, there are steps you can take to alter it, too.

Your genes might establish certain underpinnings of your metabolism, but the way your body uses calories is still dependent on lots of modifiable factors, like:

• How active you are
• Your sleep patterns
• Your eating habits
• Your nutritional profile
• Your stress levels
• Your personal health history

Managing all these factors isn’t easy, but optimizing them can definitely help improve your metabolism and make it easier to maintain a healthy weight.

Our medical weight-loss plans all begin with a comprehensive exam, lab testing, and a review of your medical history, along with an evaluation of your current lifestyle habits, so we can provide you with the amount and type of support you need for optimal weight management.

2. Skipping meals is a quick way to speed up your metabolism

Many people mistakenly believe that cutting out meals and drastically reducing calories puts the body into “starvation mode,” which in turn ramps up metabolism and fat burning. While it’s true that monitoring calories is important, cutting out meals entirely can lead to nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances that actually slow down your metabolism.

Skipping meals also increases the risk of unhealthy eating habits that lead to weight gain, too. The optimal approach is to follow a healthy eating plan that provides your body and metabolism with the necessary nutritional support for optimal function. Our team works with you to develop an eating plan that’s satisfying, tasty, and focused on metabolic health.

3. Cardio exercises are the best way to boost metabolism

There’s no denying that cardio workouts can help burn calories, but the effects of these workouts are largely limited to the time you’re working out. Shortly afterward, your metabolism returns to its resting rate, and the calorie-burning benefits diminish.

While you definitely should include aerobic activities in your exercise routine, you also need to incorporate plenty of strength training to build muscle tissue. Muscle burns fat longer, providing an increase in your resting metabolic rate. Plus, muscle burns more calories than fatty tissue, so the more muscle you have, the more fat and calories your body can burn.

4. I have a slow metabolism, so I can’t lose weight

This is a pretty common refrain from many people who struggle with weight loss, but again, it’s not entirely true. Yes, metabolism and metabolic rates can vary from one person to another, and your metabolism can slow down as you get older. But for most people, the reason they can’t lose weight is likely due to personal habits that can be changed, like an unhealthy diet, poor eating habits, or a lack of physical activity — often, a combination of all three.

That said, there are metabolic disorders that can alter the way your body breaks down foods and uses calories. Our team is skilled in uncovering clues that may indicate a metabolic disorder, providing testing that can help identify the problem so it can be effectively treated.

Don’t let myths stand in the way of your success

When it comes to managing weight and optimizing your health and wellness, metabolism is just one part of the picture. 

To learn how we can help you ramp up your metabolic activity and achieve your weight-loss goals, call or book an appointment online with STL Medical Weight Loss at our Chesterfield, Missouri, practice today. Can’t make it to the office? We also offer telehealth services for patients in Missouri, Texas, Illinois, Kansas, Florida, Delaware, Arizona, New York, Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Nevada, and Washington State.