HOW 'flexible' IS YOUR METABOLISM?

Resetting your metabolic switch is a one-way route to smashing your fitness goals

- Louise Pyne

We've long been under the illusion that when it comes to metabolism, you either have a fast fuel-burning engine or a slow one. Speeding up your metabolism has been lauded as the holy grail of improving health and fitness, but experts are now moving towards the notion that a flexible metabolism might be superior than having a fast metabolism.

Your metabolism is a round-the-clock process by which the body converts the food you consume into energy for use right away, or to be stored for later. Metabolic flexibility is your cells' ability to switch efficiently between using fats or carbs as a source of energy, based on their availability. Your body is naturally programmed to do this, but modern day living and lifestyle choices have all affected how smoothly this process runs.

'Metabolic flexibility involves the capacity of cells and tissues in your body to switch between different metabolic pathways in response to varying activity levels - whether working out, lounging on the couch or asleep. This switching ability indicates an efficient metabolism and results in effective weight management, improved health biomarkers and simply feeling better overall,' summarises Amanda Place, a health coach, personal trainer and founder of Sculptrition (sculptrition.com).

WORKOUT GAINS

The body's ability to efficiently adapt to different metabolic conditions can benefit you in multiple ways, from enhanced weight loss, reduced cravings, plus a lower risk of chronic disease and, in terms, of workout gains, you can expect greater energy and performance to keep your workouts on track.