There are many hurdles when it comes to losing weight, which range from slow metabolism and stress to poor food choices and yo-yo dieting. Although there’s no silver bullet when it comes to losing weight, various techniques can pave the way forward to meaningful and sustainable weight loss.
At Family Wellness Acupuncture, our team of wellness experts understands the challenges of weight loss, which is why we offer personalized weight loss programs. From rebalancing your metabolism to diet and exercise recommendations, we give you the tools you need to lose weight and keep it off.
Metabolism refers to how your body converts food into energy, and every one of your trillions of cells requires energy to function. Whether you’re outside running or curling up on the couch, your body is in constant need of energy, albeit at varying levels.
Each person has a basal metabolic rate, and there isn’t much that can be done to change this. That said, the key is to raise your activity levels often and for long periods so that your body requires more energy, which kicks your metabolism into high gear.
It may be tempting to blame your weight gain on a slow metabolism, but the true culprits that influence your weight include your:
It’s rare that a slow metabolism alone is responsible for weight gain — though it can occur if you have an underactive thyroid gland. In most cases, excess weight is a combination of many of the factors that we list above and ultimately due to taking in more calories than you burn.
That said, metabolism can play a big role in how quickly you’re able to lose weight. As we discussed above, the key is to raise your activity levels, which helps your body burn calories. The more calories you burn, the more your metabolism kicks in to replenish the energy levels in your cells.
If you want to lose weight, it’s important to tackle the problem from several different angles. Though diet and exercise are key, it’s important to pay attention to other areas of your health so that your body’s systems work together to achieve success. Some of these areas include:
Through acupuncture, we target these areas for better balance and function. In fact, clinical studies suggest that, “Acupuncture regulates the endocrine system, promotes digestion, attenuates oxidative stress, and modulates relevant molecules of metabolism in patients of simple obesity.” Aside from these great benefits, the studies also found that acupuncture can also suppress your appetite.
If you’d like to learn more about our customized weight loss programs, contact our office in Irvine, California, to set up a consultation.
