Does dieting affect your metabolism?

Changes to your metabolism during weight loss is a much misunderstood phenomenon. Metabolic rate is mainly determined by your weight; the heavier you are, the more you can eat without getting fatter. Think of the amount of fuel a Rolls Royce uses compared to driving the same distance in a Mini. As far back as 1912 Harris-Benedict showed that during the first couple of weeks on a weight loss diet, metabolism rate reduced by 15% and when the diet stopped, metabolism went back up by 15%.

metabolism myth

But here’s the point, you now weigh less than you did before the diet, so the new metabolic rate is appropriate for your new weight.  If you go back to eating the amount you did before you lost weight, you will go back to that weight.

This metabolic change is often attributed to dieting ‘damaging’ metabolic rate, but this lower metabolic rate is the appropriate rate for the new body size.  Anyone of the same, gender, age and lifestyle will have a similar metabolic rate, regardless of what their weight has been before. (Two Minis of similar engine size, age and driving style will have similar fuel needs).

Research from the International Journal of Clinical Practice reveals that those who lose a large amount of weight following LighterLife’s very low calorie diet with unique behaviour change programme, go on to maintain at least 72% of their initial weight loss two years later!