Everywhere you look, people are talking about metabolism. Many believe they’re stuck with a “slow metabolism” that makes weight loss nearly impossible. But the truth is often much more encouraging. Your metabolism plays an important role in weight management, but it is not the unchangeable barrier many people assume it to be. Our Eden Prairie chiropractic weight loss team is here to help you understand how metabolism really works—and how you can influence it in safe, sustainable ways.
Metabolism is the system your body uses to convert food and drink into usable energy. This energy fuels everything you do, including:
Because your body requires energy at every moment, metabolism never stops. But how efficiently it works can vary based on your age, muscle mass, gender, and lifestyle.
1. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Your BMR or resting metabolic rate (RMR) represents the calories your body burns at rest just to stay alive. Surprisingly, these “background” functions account for about 70% of your daily calorie burn.
BMR varies from person to person, and is influenced by:
• Body Composition
People with more muscle naturally burn more calories—even while resting. Muscle requires more energy to maintain than fat, making strength training one of the most effective tools for boosting metabolism.
• Age
As we get older, muscle loss accelerates and is often replaced with fat. Because fat burns fewer calories than muscle, metabolism slows over time.
• Gender
On average, men burn calories faster than women because they typically carry more muscle mass.
2. The Energy Required to Break Down Food
Metabolism also controls how your body digests and processes food—a function known as thermogenesis. It takes energy to break down food, absorb nutrients, and move those nutrients through the body. This accounts for about 10–13% of your total calorie burn each day. This number stays relatively consistent and isn’t something you can change dramatically.
3. Physical Activity
This is the only variable you can fully control—and the most powerful one. Physical activity accounts for 30–35% of the calories you burn each day, and it's the easiest way to influence your metabolism.
1. Increase Your Daily Physical Activity
Exercise is the most effective way to raise your metabolism and create a calorie deficit.
Best choices include:
Aim for 30–60 minutes of aerobic activity, 3–4 times per week.
Short on time? Break your workouts into 10–15 minute sessions—the results are just as powerful.
2. Strength Training
Building muscle is one of the most important—and often overlooked—ways to increase your metabolism.
Strength training helps you:
Muscle burns calories far more efficiently than fat, so adding strength training is crucial for long-term success.
3. Add More Movement to Your Day
Your metabolism responds to movement of any kind.
Simple changes add up:
These “micro-movements” can significantly increase your daily calorie burn.
Many people try to force weight loss by severely cutting calories. Unfortunately, this has the opposite effect.
When calorie intake drops too low:
This is why fad diets rarely work—and why sustainable habits always win.
It’s about understanding how your body uses energy, and how to work with your metabolism rather than against it. Exercise, good nutrition, consistent movement, and proper guidance make all the difference.
Our Eden Prairie chiropractic team provides personalized Weight Loss Services designed to help you:
If you're ready to take control of your metabolism and finally achieve meaningful, lasting results, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Contact our Eden Prairie chiropractic office today to schedule your Weight Loss consultation.
