Your metabolism is among the primary determinants of your overall health and well-being. It regulates the functioning of your body cells, tissues, and organs, and it can either make or break your weight loss goals.

The metabolic rate varies from person to person, but there are some habits that can slow it down in almost everyone. Read on to find out the seven minute habits that can make your metabolism less efficient and how to overcome them.

1. Sitting for Long Periods

Sitting for a prolonged period has been linked to many health concerns such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

When you sit for an extended period with no significant physical activity, your metabolism rate decreases, leading to faster weight gain, among other health concerns. Therefore, stand up, stretch and take a quick walk every half an hour to prevent your metabolism from slowing down.

2. Skipping Meals

Sometimes life gets so busy to the extent that taking a meal becomes a luxury. Unfortunately, missing out on meals, or not eating regularly can make your metabolism less efficient.

Every time you skip a meal, the body goes into starvation mode, which can result in a slower metabolic rate. Therefore, eat small portions of balanced meals throughout the day, and avoid starving yourself.

3. Consuming Processed Foods

Pre-packaged foods and snacks have become a part of most people’s lives due to their convenience. However, consuming processed foods can make your metabolism less efficient.

They tend to be high in calories, unhealthy fats, sugar, and refined carbs, which slow down metabolism, cause inflammation, and can lead to weight gain. Hence, it’s advisable to stick to whole, nutritious foods and avoid the processed ones.

4. Dehydration

Water is essential for metabolic processes in the body. Dehydration can slow down the metabolic rate, leading to constipation, slow digestion, and weight gain. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, and avoid sugary drinks.

You can add some natural flavorings to water if you find it plain. Also, eat fruits and vegetables, which have high water content, such as watermelon or cucumber.

5. Lack of Sleep

Sleep is necessary for different body functions, including metabolism. Research shows that lack of sleep can result in slower metabolic rates and unwanted weight gain.

The body gets confused when you deprive it of sleep, leading to hormonal imbalances, including high levels of cortisol, which can cause inflammation and lead to weight gain. Thus, ensure to have at least 7 to 8 hours of good sleep every night to help enhance your metabolism.

6. Eating too Late at Night

Eating too late at night can trigger unproductive metabolic functions. When you eat late at night, it deprives the body of adequate time to digest the food before sleeping.

The metabolic rate during sleep is slower than when you are awake, contributing to slower metabolism. Moreover, the indigestion could lead to other complications like acid reflux, which impedes sleep. Therefore, it’s advisable to have an early dinner few hours before sleeping to prevent slow metabolism.

7. Doing Cardio Alone

Cardio is one way of keeping your metabolism active, but cardio exercises alone are not enough. Your body needs to include strength training to keep up your metabolism and burn calories.

Strength training exercises increase muscle mass, which in turn increases metabolism rate even at rest. The more muscle mass you have, the more calories you can burn. Therefore, instead of doing cardio alone, integrate some strength training exercises for more efficiency.

Conclusion

To keep your metabolism running smoothly, you have to avoid these seven bad habits that can make it less efficient. You should exercise regularly and eat balanced meals, get enough sleep and stay hydrated, and avoid sugary or processed foods.

Also, make sure to include strength training in your exercise routine, and aim to maintain an upright position as much as possible. By following these simple steps, you can keep your metabolism functioning efficiently, helping you maintain a healthy weight and good overall health.