How to prevent slowing down your metabolism?

Hey guys,

What is the best way to prevent slowing your metabolism down?

I try to fill up on fruit, vegetables and wholegrains and have read that eating below 1200 Kcal a day is dangerous for your metabolism.

If you eat below 1200 kcal per day but make sure you are not hungry is it still likely to affect your metabolsim?

Does anyone have any tips for helping to speed up your metabolsim?

thanx :)

I'd like to know this too? I have trouble hitting my target too as I'm full on what I eat during the day (lots of fresh fruit/veg & protein with each meal?) but am afraid my metabolism is suffering- especially as I have an underactive thyroid and can't afford for it not to be working as well as it 'should'??

A couple of years ago I went on a 1200 calorie a day diet, got to my goal weight then couldn't maintain.  I had really slowed down my metabolism and put on about 20lbs.  Now on CC it is recommending I eat 1500 cals to lose 1lb a day.  So to prevent slowing down your metabolism make sure your calories are high enough.

I have recently started doing more exercise so have upped my cals again cos there is NO WAY I want to go back to where i was a couple of years ago.  No energy, cold, miserable. 

Its just that at 47 I have a lifetime of inbred messages from the diet industry that if you want to lose weight eat LESS.  I'm even planning a day of 500 extra calories to boost my metabolism (once every couple of weeks) and I'll let you know how I get on

I'd also suggest not going for the very lowest calorie intake you can get away with but to keep a smaller (500-600 cal) deficit between what you eat and what you need to maintain.  As well as choosing healthy, bulky foods like vegetables, split what you eat up between smaller meals and snacks... this keeps your body burning fat steadily, like feeding a fire with pieces of coal.  Keep well hydrated by sipping plenty of water or other fluids during the day.  Daily light exercise is better for the metabolism than heavy, sporadic exercise.  And finally, as veganmamma suggested, have a day every week or two where you consume more than normal.

My aunt has lost 35 pounds in the last few months by "calorie shifting," where you eat low calories for a few days, ten have a controlled day of higher calories, then two more low calorie days, etc.

The idea is to make frequent transitions so your metabolism doesnt get stuck in a rut. I have tried it for three weeks and so far I am down 6 pounds. (I havent lost weight in years)

Other variations include fasting once a week or skipping dinner every other night.

Here is a brief reason why never less than 1200 calories from the Advice section of Calorie Count Plus, under the Q&A tab:

Why must I eat at least 1,200 calories a day when I want to eat less?

In order to get the daily food servings you need for a balanced diet, it takes about 1200 calories a day. With careful planning, you could have a balanced diet on 1000 calories, but the restrictiveness of a very low calorie level can lead to binging and weight cycling, which will take you further from your weight loss goal. What's more, very low calorie diets can cause excessive muscle breakdown and metabolic adaptations, which can drive down your calorie requirements. In the end, you'll need fewer calories to maintain a higher weight

 

The best way to speed up your metabolism is by doing cardio combined with light weights.  The more muscle mass that you have, the more fat your body will burn.  Don't drop your calories any lower...

Sarah G.