How to Increase Metabolism and 
What Slows Metabolism Down

If you want to know how to increase metabolism, let's first look at exactly what slows metabolism down. A calorie-reduced diet is one of the main causes of reduced metabolism. When you start depriving yourself of food, the body needs to protect itself.

Fat is our energy reserve. When you go on a diet the body will do everything it can to reserve it's fat. If the weight loss is too fast, the body's metabolism will automatically slow down in order to protect itself and conserve energy. All processes will be slowed down and fewer calories are burned. You may feel that you get tired more easily or you may feel sluggish and bloated.

When the diet is finished and you start to eat normally or you go back to your old ways of eating, the metabolism is still slowed and it will hurry to build up it's reserves of fat again. The weight gained will be stored as fat and more weight will be gained than before. 

a pic of 2 small carrots to show that a reduced calorie diet is not how to increase metabolism

It is exactly the same when you skip breakfast or skip a meal. The body is smart and always wants to maintain balance, it doesn't know when the next meal will arrive, so it protects itself by slowing down it's metabolism.

Not only that, in order to further protect itself, it will store the next meal mostly as fat to conserve energy.

And I don't know about you, but when I go too long without eating, by the time the next meal comes along I'm starving and I eat too fast and too much! 

How to increase metabolism? What Not to do.

a pic bacon to show that keto is not how to increase metabolism

What about keto?  

First of all, keto was created for people with epilepsy. The brain is fatty, so a high fat diet was found to help one third of people with epilepsy. People started losing weight with it. But, when done long term, keto takes years off of your life, so if weight loss is so important to you that you're willing to shorten your lifespan, then go ahead.

Secondly, as soon as you deviate from keto your weight will come right back on again and then some. I've seen it happen to so many people, and many of my clients also experienced that before coming to see me. 

Here's an article by a leading cardiologist to explain the scientific studies done that prove how detrimental keto is for you. Mark my words, 20 or so years from now all those people who've done keto long term will be having heart attacks and strokes. It's a big price to lose weight. 

Keto is a fad diet, and we all know, that...

fad diets work temporarily but... they are Unhealthy and... Are Not Sustainable! 

How to increase metabolism?
Don't do intermittent fasting unless it's between dinner and breakfast

a pic of a clock to show that intermittent fasting is not how to increase metabolism

Every year there are new weight loss gimmicks that come and go. The industry made 72.7 billion in the U.S. in 2018.

  • South Beach
  • Atkins
  • Montignac
  • Paleo
  • Low glycemic index
  • Keto
  • etc

and tons of expensive, unhealthy products that go along with these.

How to increase metabolism? Find a healthy way of eating, eat, whole natural foods in the the most natural state possible, one that makes you feel good, feel full, have fewer cravings... 

most important,

you must find a healthy way of eating that you can easily sustain for the rest of your life. That includes some deviations (better to use a positive word than the negative word cheat.) Learn to enjoy and savor your deviations, do not feel guilty about them, but then back on track the next day.

There will be temptations, parties, vacations, outings. You need to learn how to get through these and maintain a healthy eating plan most of the time, as it is guaranteed that life will throw you some curve balls simply to test your resolve.  

Intermittent fasting is just another fad diet that people try to do to lose weight quickly. 

Not good for you. Not sustainable. Fast weight loss always comes back again

Forget the fad diets and Never skip a meal if you want to learn how to increase metabolism

a pic of vegetables to show that a healthy diet is how to increase metabolism

Do not deprive yourself of food or try to starve yourself by reducing calories or skipping meals. Eat a varied, healthy diet and eat 3 meals per day. 

I know sometimes you may not be hungry at breakfast, so simply have a fruit or something really small, like a small smoothie, but have something, as this is how to increase metabolism. 

Everyone is different. Some people do well with a very small, light breakfast, others need a big breakfast and snacks in between meals - it depends on your body type, metabolism, lifestyle, and more. Advice to eat 5 or 6 small meals per day to increase your metabolism will actually cause some people to gain weight as they don't need to eat that often.

The essential thing for weight loss is to follow a plan for your specific body type. 

How to increase metabolism with hypothyroidism

Some illnesses slow down metabolism, especially hypothyroidism. Determine the cause of your weakened thyroid. It could be due to an emotional shock. Frustrations in life are also hard on the thyroid gland. You may need medication.

Nutritional and mineral deficiencies can also play a role.
Lack of :

  • Zinc
  • Selenium
  • Vitamin C
  • Protein
  • Iron
  • Complex B

If you're looking for ways to increase metabolism follow these guidelines above to keep your body burning calories. You will naturally lose weight and easily maintain your ideal weight.


How to increase metabolism? Get help! 

Pic of Sue-Anne
  • If you've tried everything and nothing works
  • you really want to lose the weight once and for all
  • You've tried to figure it out on your own but your're struggling
  • You've never weighed this much before
  • none of your clothes fit

then, by all means, reach out and I'd be happy to jump on a call with you!

Hi I'm Sue-Anne, certified naturopath and weight loss specialist, nutrition, healthy eating and healthy lifestyle have been a passion of mine for over 28 years. 

As a naturopth I look at all the causes of your specific ailments and/or weight gain and help give your body the tools it needs to heal. I take a holistic approach, looking at the body systems, the emotional side, stress management, a global approach to wellness. Whereas mainstream medicine usually only covers up the symptoms with medication, most meds have side effects and many are detrimental to the body long term. Once we determine the cause of what's going we can work on the solution.  

Your health is the most precious gift you have, work with me, take the first step on your path to a healthier, you.