This forum has a lot of smart people! What do you think are the biggest metabolism killers? I know one is eating too little.

Or, do you think that the metabolism issue is over-rated. I've read some places that metabolism isn't that huge of a factor, but it was basically chastising overweight people by saying "You don't have a crap metabolism, you eat too much" lol.

Personally I'm just wondering if I have any habits I think nothing of -- that are harmful to my metabolism and weight loss.

I would say not do any kind of weight training or exercise is a metabolism killer.

I think metabolism plays part. I know a lot of people who eat a lot, sometimes all junk food, don't exercise and are very thin. I'm not that lucky.

I think there are two factors to metabolism. 1. genetics, either you are born with a high one, a normal one, or a slow one. 2. our lifestyles. We definetely play a big role in how our metabolism works. what we eat and how much activity we get. I think both factors play a big role in how our body burns fat. Especially exercise and building muscle. I think some people use a genetically slow metabolism as a great excuse as to why they are heavy. I agree it may be a small part of the reason, but that to me is just a big excuse.
I think the biggest killer to metabolism that we have control over is eating too little, eating the wrong things, and being sedentary. also being dehydrated. Your body needs water to digest food and turn it into energy. Just my 2 cents

I think eating too infrequently and too sporadically can wreak havoc on the metabolism. If you go all day without a meal, then binge on dinner, then the next day snack all day, and then the next day go all day without a meal again, etc etc... You're keeping your metabolism in a constant state of chaos.

Everyone has heard the car analogy, but I'll mention it again. We need to treat our bodies the way we treat our cars. When our fuel gauge is getting low, we fill it up again. You don't go all day without fuel and then end up on the side of the highway broken down. On the flip side when you do refuel you don't fill up your tank to overflowing either. Treat your body the way you would treat the most expensive car you ever owned

jellydisney, I like that analogy!

Sitting on your butt all day and then eating like a farmer. Worst possible combination.

Metabolism is a part of it, and regular physical activity can help. But mainly, overeating is the culprit.

I have a friend who is normal weight, and she almost never exercises (except for a short walk now and then). Yes, she probably has a higher metabolism than I do. But, I've also watched how she eats, and she does not overeat--not because she's trying not to overeat, but just because it's her style. If she doesn't want any more of a food, she stops eating it. In contrast, I would tend to finish it.

Jay

drinking beer

Overtraining, as in not taking a rest day and/or pushing yourself too hard. I was really into cycling last summer and pushing myself. Pushing myself because I really enjoy it, cycing is exhilarating.

Not losing weight, I whined to my doctor and trainer. Both recommended taking a week off and voila! 7 pounds gone, just like that.

I have family history of obesity on my father's side and hyperthyroidism on my mothers. None of overweight relatives weigh over 200 lbs but probably have 30-35 BMIs. Eventhough my fat relatives and I live in different countries and grew up eating different foods, we all have very similar body shapes.

However, the hyperthyroidism is just as harmful as obesity. My mother had to eat 5-6 full meals a day or else she continues to lose weight. Her heart rate would get very high even when resting. So she had no choice but get radiation treatment to slow down her metabolism. My mother gained 10 lbs in 1 month, so she has eat like normal people now - 3 meals and 1-2 snacks/day.

I think metabolism and the affects it has on our weight is over exaggerated. Absolutely.

I definitely think people have different rates at which they burn calories, but I believe those difference are very small percentage wise from one to the other. Naturally, I'd prefer to have a speedier one, but it most likely wouldn't make THAT much of a difference in the amount of food I could eat. Having a slower one doesn't mean you can't lose weight and keep it off. You just may have to work a bit harder at it.

I am a firm believer in the best way to keep those calories burning, is by eating small, frequent meals/snacks throughout the day and to add in exercise, including some kind of strength training, and physical activity to ones day.