In yesterday’s blog I talked about things that are technically true but are often exaggerated or over estimated.
Often to the point where it does people a disservice.
They can feel that they’re doing the right thing when they’re not really.
Or it can lead to them feeling stuck when they don’t have to be.
An example of this can be “good” or “bad” metabolisms.
It’s easy to get stuck behind the belief that we have a “bad metabolism”…….
And then, essentially, not do the things that we need to be done to in order to lose weight.
I think it’s fair to say that when people talk about “good” and “bad” metabolisms they’re essentially talking about variations in someone’s energy usage and requirements when otherwise matched.
I don’t think anyone believes that they wouldn’t lose weight if they never ate again.
Just that something about their metabolism means that the amount they would need to eat is too low to be realistic and maintainable.
All the research shows at the vast majority of someone’s energy requirements is dictated by their size and activity levels
I think we’d all agree that is understandable that someone twice our size and twice as active would use more energy and therefore be able to get away with eating more.
That’s not a metabolism thing that’s a size and activity level thing.
So actual differences in metabolism could only be in the variations of energy usage and requirements when someone is the same size and as the same activity levels
And the research does show that there can be variations in that.
Variations of up + / – 80 calories a day.
Probably less variation for most people.
And probably mostly explainable by variations in body composition for someone who’s otherwise the same mass (more or less muscle and fat mainly).
Even if we do have a “good” or “bad” metabolism it’s liable to be by no more than 80 calories difference from what it “should be”.
Which can easily be accounted for by marginal changes in our eating.
And the real kicker is that the research shows that there is no correlation between the “good” and “bad” metabolisms and someone’s probability of carrying extra body fat.
The person with the “bad” metabolism is just as likely to be slim and the person with a “good” metabolism just as likely to be overweight and vice versa.
So, in short, it is true that you can have a “good” or “bad” metabolism.
Just not by much and it’s easier than we might tell ourselves to adjust for.
Much love,
Jon ‘J. Martins’ Hall
P.S. For proven help in seeing past things that are holding you back and in making lasting changes (whilst having fun with like minded people in an intimidation free atmosphere) then jump in on our risk free 4 week trial at www.myrise.co.uk/apply
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RISE in Macclesfield was established in 2012 and specialise in Group Personal Training weight loss programmes for those that don’t like the gym and find diets boring and restrictive!
