We all know people with fast metabolisms. You know who they are–those people who seem to eat whatever they want and never gain a pound. They have great skin and hair, toned muscles and tons of energy. But what about you? How do you know whether you have a fast metabolism or a slow one?
1. It’s easier for me to gain weight than lose weight
This is the number one sign of a sluggish metabolism: Your old weight loss tricks simply don’t seem to work anymore. (Note that if you’re having unexplained weight gain or loss, visit your doctor to make sure there’s no underlying medical issue.)
2. I can’t lose weight no matter how much I exercise
We’ve heard this one for years: That losing weight is merely about calories in and calories out. So theoretically, it doesn’t matter WHAT you eat as long as you burn off more calories through exercise. Well, let me tell you, I’ve had clients that run 10 miles a day and can’t lose weight. I’ve seen men who hit the gym 5 times a week and can’t lose the beer gut. It’s NOT about calories: It’s about what foods you’re putting into your body. Exercise can help, as long as you’re eating the right foods, but you don’t need to kill yourself every day with 2-hour workouts.
3. I gain weight even when I eat next to nothing
Something terrible happens when you severely restrict your diet. Your body goes into emergency mode. Because it’s not getting enough food, your metabolism starts thinking “hey, we haven’t had much food, so I’d better start storing everything just in case.” Your body is actually trying to save your life! Instead of burning fat for fuel, it stores fat for the future. Not what you want! You actually need to feed your body and your metabolism to lose weight. The key is feeding it the right foods that stoke your metabolic fire. That’s what the Fast Metabolism Diet is designed to do!
4. I’m noticing fat in areas I’ve never had it before
We all have those trouble spots — the little bulges where we always tend to gain and lose weight. But if you’re starting to gain fat in new areas, this could be a sign of a sluggish metabolism. Your body is searching for new areas to to store fat. Fat around your midsection, for instance, can mean your cortisol levels are out of whack. When your metabolism is over-taxed, or you’re stressed out, your body pumps out extra cortisol, a hormone that tells your body to store fat around your belly.
5. I’ve got cellulite in new places
Forty percent of women — even a lot of very fit women — have some cellulite on the backs of their thighs and hips. But if you’re starting to notice it on the fronts of your thighs, that’s a metabolic red flag. When your body starts scavenging your muscles for fuel, soft fatty deposits are left behind: cellulite. You also lose collagen and elastin, leaving your skin looking stretched. This can also make cellulite more noticeable, and any body fat starts to look lumpy and distorted.
6. My heels are cracked and dry; I’m losing hair
The thyroid is not only a metabolic superstar, it also shares responsibility for healthy skin, hair and nails. Dry, cracked skin — especially cracked heels — is an indicator that your thyroid isn’t as efficient as it should be. Hair loss, particularly for women on the crown of their heads can also indicate hormone imbalance.
7. I have terrible afternoon sugar cravings
Your adrenal glands are responsible for telling your body to release stored fat for fuel, particularly as the afternoon drags on. When that doesn’t happen, blood sugar drops and your body signals you to eat something that has quick, easy energy — sugar and simple carbs. But it’s a vicious cycle because those foods don’t provide energy very long. A fast metabolism, however, can regulate blood sugar to give you energy all day, without sudden drops.
The good news
Even if you have a slow metabolism, you can CHANGE it! It can be fixed, repaired and refinished — just like a piece of beautiful furniture with good “bones” that needs some TLC. That’s what the Fast Metabolism Diet is all about! Read more about the science behind why it works.