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Dieting and Metabolism
Metabolism and Weight Loss
When a person suddenly stops taking in the amount of calories to
which they are accustomed their body responds by slowing their
metabolism. The body will act as if it is starving, which sometimes
it is. Metabolism is the rate at which a person's body burns the
calories needed to function normally. It is for this reason that rapid
weight loss programs don't work in the long run. The body
responds to the plunge in calorie intake by slowing the metabolism
so that it can continue to operate on fewer calories. The dieter will
hit a plateau in weight loss, which for some people stimulates a
frustrating pattern of weight loss and gain, known as yo-yo dieting.
Repeated attempts at rapid weight loss can permanently slow a
person's metabolism, making weight loss harder with each diet.
Generally, diet plans that are well balanced and do not fall below
1200 calories a day are manageable.
The Slowing of One's Metabolism
Several other things will slow a person's metabolism. The first is a
lack of exercise. Exercise increases your metabolic rate both
during and up to 48 hours after exercising. Muscle tissue is far
more active than fat tissue and even when a person's muscles are
at rest, they are actively consuming energy. A person's metabolism
speeds up in order to provide muscle tissue with this energy. For
this reason, we also need to make sure we provide our body with
enough calories to fuel the consumption of energy. Changing the
amount of muscle vs. fat in the body is the primary way in which a
person can alter their metabolic rate. Our metabolism also slows
as we age. The body needs fewer calories and more exercise to
maintain a healthy weight. It has been found though that older
women who exercise in combination with a balanced diet low in fat
can counteract any decrease in their metabolic rate associated
with aging.
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