How can I stop my metabolism slowing down?

Question

I've been on a healthy eating plan for a little while now. I'm 5'2", so I usually need 2,000 calories per day to maintain my weight.

I've cut this down to 1,500 in an attempt to lose 1lb per week.

Sometimes though, I'll only have about 1,200 calories due to exercise or unintentionally not eating enough calories.

If I eat 1,200 calories will this slow my metabolism down and prevent me from losing weight, or is this still a healthy amount to eat?

I only want to lose about 5lbs.

xx Emmie

Answer 1

Keeping active is the best way to increase your metabolism ,so try to incorporate more exercise into your daily routine ...little things like running up the stairs and extra house work all help.The best is walking as you can walk to work or do a good stint walking round the shopping centre (has to be my fave!!)you would be amazed at how many calories you can burn shopping for shoes!

Answer 2

Actually let me just say you're onto one hell of a great start and you're pretty much doing everything right. In terms of keeping your heart rate up, the best thing in your case would be to look more into interval training. That is the best sort of training because not only is it cardio, but it helps burn a lot of fat without losing too much of the muscle. So you don't need constant heart rate, but find a interval work out that works for you (somewhere online), you can make you're own as well. Cardio and sweating as you may have found definitely helps your metabolism. Now, the one way to keep your metabolism up, is to keep eating throughout the day. Snacking isn't a bad thing, provided its something healthy. Granola bars, small sandwiches, fruits and veggies in between meals keeps your body constantly digesting. When you keep eating, your body has to constantly keep digesting it. Combine that with a good meal plan, some good exercise (interval training, or w.e you're doing so far) and you're body after 20 some odd days or sooner, will train it self to burn the calories you have just eaten, much faster, because you're always eating. If you go anywhere, that is the first thing they reccomend and I can guarantee you that if you stick with that, combined with what you have and you will see a difference soon. You're tall, and the good thing is the more muscle you have, the more you burn everytime you work out. That means that you'll start to increasingly notice larger and larger changes in your physique. Gradual at first, but stick with it and you will see some results. Keep it up! PS I have found this diet program very helpful check the link below

Answer 3

The most important meal of the day to keep your metabolism balanced is breakfast. Make sure that you eat something in the morning when you get up. Also, maintain some kind of regular exercise. Even something as simple as walking or riding your bike rather than driving somewhere can help.

Answer 4

Eating 1200 calories per day every so often will not slow your metabolism. It's when you do it for weeks at a time.

Your best way to lose 5 pounds and keep it off is by exercise.

Answer 5

Weight loss is largely a matter of energy used exceeding energy consumed. If you burn more than you consume you will lose weight. BUT if the body is sent into a 'conservation' mode because the triggers (such as low intake) make your metabolism slow to 'conserve' resources you will only seem to lose weight very slowly.

The process of metabolism is pretty demanding for the body and contributes to aging. You need to slightly increase your energy expenditure - to stimulate your metabolism. But as your body gets used to a new level of energy expenditure (if the form of energy utilistaion remaisn the same) the impact will reduce.

The best way to keep 'propelling' your metabolism is to vary the way you burn energy -- so avoid exercise routines -- vary the form of exrcise through the week and don't get too hung up on the exact amount you are consuming.

It is better to eat healthily (even if more calories) and just exercise more than cut back too much to lose weight -- as you'll just put it back on again when you try to 'go back to normal' eating after hitting your target and it makes no sense to yo yo.

Answer 6

No 1200 sounds perfect for what you are trying to do, Small regular low cal meals to keep your metabolism working hard. Moderate biscuits bread sweets ect or even better cut them out. Regular exercise one of the best ones is swimming.

Answer 7

the most important thing is to make sure you eat breakfast in the morning as it kickstarts your metabolism. eat small meals little and often within your calorie limit and exercise regularly.
good luck

Answer 8

eat early in the morning to kickstart your met and do excercise to keep it going, don't go to low with your calories because that will make it go really slow

Answer 9

How much are you now and how old are you. You need 2500 cal per a day. metabolism shouldnt be messed with as its very individual

Answer 10

Drink Green tea.