5 Mistakes That Slow Down Your Metabolism

Revving up your metabolism is the essence of getting the body of your dream. Unfortunately, not everyone was gifted with a naturally fast metabolism, but the good news is there are several ways to boost it and shed the extra pounds even when at rest. But, what could possibly slow down your fat-burning engine in the first place? Surprisingly, many of the habits we carry out every day contribute to this unsolicited process, making your weight loss efforts go wasted. Here are the top 5 mistakes to avoid if you want a slimmer waist:

BINGING ON SUGAR

This one comes on top of the list because sugar is the metabolism’s worst enemy. Stuffing yourself with sugary beverages and food does your body no good and slows down your metabolism. Besides, consuming sugary food spikes your insulin levels, making it harder for your body to tap into your stored fats. Keep your sugar intake to a bare minimum for maximum results.

LEADING A SEDENTARY LIFE

Although the body is capable of burning calories at rest, exercising is an effective way to boost your metabolism and burn even more. Being sedentary may lead to a significant decrease in the number of calories you burn on a daily basis. Being active in general have a major effect on your metabolism, and this includes taking the stairs, cleaning the house, or any activity that requires your body to move.

INSUFFICIENT PROTEIN INTAKE

Needless to say, protein is crucially important for maintaining a healthy weight, especially that it helps in upholding your muscle mass while losing weight. Besides, protein can help you feel full faster, so you can easily minimize your portion size. More importantly, protein is capable of increasing the metabolism more than carbs or fat can.

CONSUMING VERY FEW CALORIES

It is important to create a calorie deficit in order to lose weight, but then again, some people make the mistake of going way below their daily requirement, sending their bodies into starvation mode which, inevitably, slows down the metabolism to reserve energy. It is recommended that women shouldn’t go below 1200 calories a day and men shouldn’t consume less than 1500 calories. Besides, eating very few calories for a prolonged period can damage your metabolism.

INTERRUPTED SLEEP

It’s well-known that sleep is extremely important for good health, but it is also vital when it comes to weight loss. Little hours of sleep can be detrimental to your health; besides, it can also wreak havoc to your metabolism. Always try to incorporate adequate sleep into your schedule to reduce your likelihood of weight gain.