Myth #1: You’re overweight because your metabolism is slow

Truth: If you are overweight, your metabolism is likely running fast, because the more weight you have, the harder your body has to work to carry itself around and avoid heat dispersion.

As a result, in most instances, the metabolism of an overweight individual runs faster than that of a skinnier person. So, apart from some rare metabolic diseases, it’s more likely that you’ll be overweight because you eat too much and exercise too little. 

Myth #2: Your metabolism slows down as you age

Truth: The primary reason the metabolism slows down as you grow older is because your hormone levels drop down and you lose muscle.

Don’t use your age as an excuse!

If you keep up with your training, sleep well and eat adequate levels of lean protein, vegetables and fruit, you will largely prevent hormone levels from falling and muscle mass being lost.

Don’t use your age as an excuse – it’s not uncommon to see a 50-year-old fitter than someone half their age, and you can bet that their metabolism is faster as well!

Myth #3: Long runs are the best form of exercise to speed up your metabolism and burn calories

Truth: If you consider that your body adapts in order to overcome hostilities and survive, why would someone who’s going to run and burn hundreds of calories each session need a higher metabolism as well? The reality is that steady-state aerobic exercises such as long runs cause a temporary increase in the energy expenditure, but as your body rebounds they actually slow the basal metabolic rate (BMR).

Strength exercises, meanwhile, may not burn many calories themselves, but by leading the body to build functional lean tissue they consistently rev up the metabolism. So it’s not aerobic exercises but a smart resistance-training programme that should be at the very top of anyone’s metabolism-boosting regime! 

Myth #4: A high metabolism is the best health goal

People with faster metabolisms show signs of cellular ageing faster

Truth: Higher is not necessarily better. It’s true that an ultra-fast metabolism allows you to eat more, recover faster, sleep less and generally live your life in a higher gear, but the downside is pretty obvious – people with faster metabolisms show signs of cellular ageing faster than people with slower metabolisms, and may be more likely to develop diseases sooner. Scientists think this is a major reason why women, holding other factors equal, so often outlive men.

Nobody is saying you should be spending your life sat watching TV in an attempt to slow down your metabolism, but do try to not get obsessed by having an ultra-fast metabolism and being envious of anyone who has one – all that glitters is not gold!

Myth #5: Metabolism is genetic; you have no control over it

Truth: Nope. You have full control over your metabolism!