As you get older you may have noticed the pounds piling on and wondered just where it came from. It is entirely possible that you could be suffering from a slow metabolism. Your metabolism is the rate in which your body burns the stored fuel you have as energy. The more fuel you burn the slimmer you are, if you have been eating right and working out but the pounds are still there it may be time to have your metabolism checked.
Causes and Effects of a Slow Metabolism
Your Thyroid: An over or underactive thyroid can affect your weight and no matter how much training you can’t change your weight. Thyroid problems can cause unexpected weight loss or weight gain. You need to see your doctor to get the condition treated. Here is a closer look at the symptoms of thyroid problems.
Exhaustion: When your body starts burning fuel more slowly, that in turn will cause your bodily functions to slow down at the same time. This will leave you feeling tired and sluggish. When this happens your mood can change too, this can easily turn into depression.
Feeling Cold: When your bodily functions slow down so does your circulation that can make you feel cold even in the warmest of days.
Fixing Your Metabolism
A slower metabolism doesn’t have to be a forgone conclusion as part of the aging process you can get back to burning fuel at a healthy rate.
- Have a checkup: Before you assume that you are just getting older go see your physician and have a checkup to make sure there isn’t a different underlying cause. If you suspect that it is your thyroid then ask your physician for a thyroid function test.
- Change up your workout: Doing the same workout day after day can make you plateau. You don’t see results anymore because your body has adapted to the routine and you need a change. You can work with a personal trainer to get a different and more challenging routine.
- Change your diet: If you’re not eating healthy already then it may be time to have a look at what you are putting in your body for fuel. Try new foods and incorporate more vegetables into your diet. Adding spices to your diet can help boost your metabolism, so try foods that you have never had before.
- Get regular sleep: Your body can’t function properly without adequate rest. Everything starts to slow down including brain activity and your digestive system. Your metabolic rate will drop and your body starts storing fat instead of burning it. A full night’s sleep can be anywhere from 6-8 hours, if afternoon naps help you get the right amount of sleep then take advantage of them.
