What really is metabolism and what affects it?

Question

How do I know how my metabolism is? I don't get it! ^.^

so.. i have a really low metabolism cuz i dont eat much, i excercise A LOT, and still gain/mantain my weight?
that sucks! :(

i eat healthy too! i dont eat sweet stuff, fast food (mainly cuz i dont like it), and i dont eat greasy/buttery stuff...

great...! i think im stuck like this forever!

Answer 1

Metabolism is the sum total of all the chemical reactions taking place in your body. Genetics is the biggest thing that determines your metabolism. Exercising temporarily increases metabolism as well. Usually people with a "high" metabolism can eat whatever they want and as much as they want and still be really skinny. Most people have an average metabolism, gaining and losing weight by what we eat. And people with a "slow" metabolism have a hard time maintaining their weight because their body cant process their food quick enough.

Answer 2

Metabolism (from Greek μεταβολισμός "metabolismos") is the biochemical modification of chemical compounds in living organisms and cells. It is through the process of metabolism that organisms process nutrients into the biochemical tools and structures they need to maintain a living state. Metabolism has two distinct divisions: anabolism, in which a cell uses energy and reducing power to construct complex molecules and perform other life functions such a creating cellular structure; and catabolism, in which a cell breaks down complex molecules to yield energy and reducing power.

Cell metabolism involves extremely complex sequences of controlled chemical reactions called metabolic pathways, usually a sequence of enzymatic steps. Enzymes are crucial to metabolism because they allow organisms to greatly accelerate slow favorable reactions as well as couple unfavorable reactions to available energy sources. By providing energy to metabolic processes (energy usually in the form of ATP) cells can successfully power reactions that would otherwise never occur.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolism

Answer 3

chic, metabolism is the process by which the cells or tissues of a living body transforms food materials into their own vital substance. an that gives u energy. if a person just lays around and dont exurcise, they will feel tired most of the time. , also if they dont eat right. god bless. i hope this answers ur question.

Answer 4

metabolism is like how fast your body processes food/nutrients to do work etc..
some people are just born with a fast metabolism and thats why they can eat a lot and still be skinny

Answer 5

Empirically, you can try counting the calories you eat right now. If you are gaining weight on this amount of calories then you need to eat less, exercise more, or both.

Whatever the amount is you can compare it with the calculations from the link below, and see what to do about that.