Is a "Slow Metabolism" Really a Condition?

  So the question remains…Is the “slow metabolism” really a medical condition, or, is it simply a well disguised lie, created by us, to hide our gluttony in the kitchen?  Is claiming that your body just naturally burns calories much slower that than those with normal metabolisms, just an excuse?

  One of the first things that need to be examined is how our body stores and uses energy.  The food, containing nutrients/calories, that we eat every day are broken down and stored; most of the energy will be stored as fat, or it may be stored as muscle.  Those who gain muscle weight naturally increase their body’s metabolism because muscle requires more calories to maintain itself than fat.  This means that when you exercise and gain muscle mass, you are boosting you metabolism…temporarily.  The muscle reconstruction requires extra energy to sustain recovery and growth, which results in slightly larger calorie needs.  This rise in metabolic rate, however, is only temporary; during workouts and a few hours after its completion.  After the muscle has had time to recover, the body no longer needs the previous extra calories because it is not being stressed anymore.

  This information explains why a person with an athletic, muscular build will most likely have a faster metabolism that a person with an average build.  The muscular person is continually burning extra calories (assuming he continues to exercise) because his added muscle tissue requires added energy to maintain.  The person with an average build has much less muscle tissue and more fat tissue, which results in fewer calories needed.  The problem seems to be sticking with your body’s natural metabolic needs.

To be continued…