Metabolism refers to the body’s processes that convert food and drinks into energy. This process is essential for maintaining bodily functions, including breathing, blood circulation, and muscle movement. Your metabolic rate plays a significant role in weight management. At Tailored Vitality, we offer weight management consultants to help you identify and practice lifestyle changes to lose weight! Our first step is helping you understand your metabolism and how it will affect your weight loss journey.
Here’s How to Understand Your Metabolism and How It Affects Weight Loss
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) refers to the number of calories your body naturally burns at rest to carry out its basic functions. Each person’s BMR varies depending on various factors such as age, gender, muscle mass, and overall health.
Thermic Effect of Food (TEF)
The Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) refers to the number of calories the body burns while digesting, absorbing, and processing food. Different food groups require different levels of energy expenditure. Digesting proteins, for example, requires more calories than digesting carbohydrates. By choosing a diet rich in proteins instead of carbohydrates, you can utilize more energy to digest food.
Physical Activity
Physical activity plays a crucial role in metabolism and weight loss. Cardiovascular exercises such as running, swimming, or dancing can help increase your metabolism. Resistance training like weightlifting, push-ups, and squats can help you build muscle mass, which is effective in increasing your BMR.
Medications and Hormones
Certain medications and hormonal imbalances can affect your metabolism, which may lead to weight gain. Thyroid hormones, for instance, regulate the BMR, and an underactive thyroid can cause weight gain. Our hormone specialists can help you determine if hormone therapy can aid your weight loss plan!
While hormone imbalances can be frustrating, there are ways to balance your hormones naturally. Implementing these tips and taking advantage of our hormone replacement services can help balance your hormones. If you have any concerns about your hormone levels, please contact our specialists today!