what can i do (if anything at all) to slow down my metabolism?

Question

I'm 23, I'm 5'11" and weigh about 160. THe problem is that I look like I'm about 140. I've been eating steady throughout the day, Drink Boost (more protein and caloric value than Ensure) , GNC Mega Men's Vitamins, Flaxseed Oil, I drink protein shakes and I workout regularly. I'm convinced I just have a really fast metabolism and I need to slow it down. My target weight is 185 by summer's end. What can I do?

Answer 1

Get older ;o). Your metabolism will naturally slow down as you age & by the time you are in your 50s, you'll be happy that you started out high. Another way to increase your weight is not just to increase your caloric intake, but to do strength training. Muscle will bulk you up & weighs more than flab in a given volume.

Answer 2

Brian gave you fantastic advice........yes, stop eating. I keep telling people who are having problems LOSING weight to do what you do, but for some reason women think if they keep eating, they gain weight SO THEY DON'T and all they do is GAIN weight!!!

So yes, that is correct - stop eating (it's like throwing logs on the fire - it keeps your metabolism revved up). You are very lucky that you have been doing all the right healthy things.

Usually I tell dieters that they need more sleep (more sleep helps you lose weight) and they need to cut out the excessive breads and pastas.

Perhaps I should tell you to do the opposite! :) LOL

Remember, muscle burns fat. So maybe cut-down some of the weight training (not completely, just maybe down to a couple times a week).

Also, maybe replace some of those protein shakes and eat REAL FOOD. That will also help. Fruit is high in calories and it's still healthy and good for you. Fruit usually kills most diets because of its high calorie content. Seeing as how you already live a healthy lifestyle, this could be another dietary option for you. And the natural sugar in fruit is a heck of a lot healthier than the refined sugar in those shakes and will add more weight.

Good luck! I so wish I had your problem! :)

Answer 3

I had the same problem. Here are some tips to slow it down:

1) Stop aerobic exercise (walking, swimming or cycling). Aerobic exercises speeds your metabolism up.

2) Skip breakfast - your body hasn't had anything to eat all night so when you wake up it's gonna hold on to whatever you have until your next meal.

3) Don't drink green tea

4) Don't eat a lot - eat larger meals less, i.e. eat two BIG meals a day - again you want your body to think it's gonna starve.

5) Don't drink a lot of water. Mild dehydration will slow down metabolism by as much as 3%

I really don't recommend any of the advice in 2 - 5. Just reduce your exercises and enjoy your body and your weight as long as you can. You'll understand when you get older!

Answer 4

Its no longer always the style of meals that slows your metabolism. What will finally occur from having dangerous behavior is that you simply wont have that frame that you simply love such a lot. Be cautious of the volume of fats and sugar that you're consuming. Its less complicated to maintain it off than to take it off after getting it! As a long way as your metabolism... it's going to sluggish down as you grow older however to maintain it firing you desire to devour regularly an afternoon. Not extra meals however extra instances!

Answer 5

Don't worry, you will wish you had a high metabolism rate when you get older. It will eventually slow down. In the meantime, try eating a huge bowl of ice cream every night just before bedtime. It worked for a friend of mine. Actually, it almost worked too well. He had to quit after a couple of years, he was gaining too much weight.

Answer 6

Stop eating. Starvation and missed meals slows the metabolism drastically. What your doing is the total opposite. I dont suggest you do that because its not healthy to jus eat one or two big meals for the day. Just eat more caloric rich foods and slow down on your cardio.

Answer 7

eat less starve and then eat alot and then eat alot of chips and fries and mc donalds