Hit a Weight Loss Plateau? This May Be Why.

So you’re counting your calories, never eat more than your daily limit, and you still can’t lose weight? So many diets have stalled when calorie counts run into the immovable force of a dreaded plateau.

What is metabolism? Simply, it is the rate at which your body converts food into energy. But the longer answer is that the energy is used in everything your body does—not only for biking or hiking, but also for breathing, blinking, pumping blood, thinking, and even digesting the food that becomes energy. All of the basic daily functions become your basal metabolism or the energy needed just to make it through your day, and your basal metabolism rate can vary from person to person depending on your gender, age, body composition, muscle mass, and hormone health. 

Does a higher metabolism mean faster weight loss? Yes. Some people are genetically predisposed to a faster metabolism and are blessed with the ability to consume more calories without gaining weight. If you’re not one of those genetically favored people, there are ways to slightly increase your metabolic rate. 

How can I increase my metabolic rate? If you believe your metabolic rate is abnormally low, your first call may be to your primary physician for a general check-up to make sure your body is functioning normally. Conditions affecting the thyroid can cause difficulty losing weight, however these conditions are rare. Assuming you’re healthy, ensure you’re getting plenty of protein and vitamins so your body can function at peak performance and use that performance to build muscle mass. Studies have shown that increasing muscle mass through weight lifting can lift your metabolic rate even when you’re at rest, although that news come with a word of caution not to expect much change. Other studies have shown that the metabolic rate change from simply having larger muscles is slight.

But my metabolism was fine! Why did I stop losing weight? We hear you. Weight loss changes our bodies and while most of those changes are wonderful, a slimmer body means you’re not carrying those extra pounds around everywhere you go anymore. Or, if your diet is not being carefully managed by experts such as your PWM consultant, you may have lost muscle mass from insufficient protein or calorie intake. Your metabolic rate has likely changed. Your Professional Weight Management consultant can retest your metabolic rate and make any necessary adjustments to your plan so you’re back on your journey to better health.