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in it looked as if they had stepped out of a beach movie from exactly that era. Everyone was lean and I mean really lean. There was not an overweight or obese person in sight. Now, fast-forward to today. I am frequently on that beach with my kids, and the vast majority of men and women are much bigger, and I don’t mean by just a few pounds. Do you think our genes mutated in a few decades? No . It’s impossible . Our behavior mutated–big-time–so please don’t blame your genes. Instead, let’s get to work on optimizing your metabolism through new beliefs and behaviors.
Optimizing Your Metabolism
     
    What healthy factors do affect metabolism? Don’t get me started on diet pills and smoking, which, yes, do boost metabolism, but do it in a very dangerous way. Is smelling like an ashtray and/or dying really worth it? Can you really do anything to increase your metabolism? The answer to that question is a big yes . Here are some of the issues that you can address to optimize your metabolism.
    Thyroid
    If you are feeling low in energy, depressed or anxious, have thinning hair and brittle nails, or have issues with constipation, irregular menstrual cycle, infertility, or low sex drive, you may be suffering from hypothyroid (too little thyroid). Now, many women I know claim that the reason for their weight gain is a slow thyroid, but a very small percentage of these women actually have the dysfunction. Once again, it’s your behavior that is problematic, not your thyroid.
    If you suffer from either hypothyroid (too slow) or hyperthyroid (too fast, which is also not good for your health), then properly balancing your thyroid through medication is essential to an optimized metabolism for weight loss. Have your levels checked regularly by your doctor and be vigilant about taking your medication. Also, don’t wait if you feel there is a problem. Get on the phone, make the appointment, and get in to see your doctor if necessary. If your primary care physician is not giving you the attention or answering all your questions, then go to a specialist. There is no reason to live even one day with thyroid dysfunction, especially if you’ve already been diagnosed. Take your medication, as the percentage of people who don’t take their medication or don’t take it properly is enormous.
    Digestion
    Skipping meals is a killer to your metabolism, especially breakfast. Those who regularly skip breakfast have a 450 percent greater chance of being overweight or obese. 2 Some research has shown that regular breakfast-skippers possess metabolisms that are diminished by as much as 5 to 10 percent. British researchers even found that “breakfast size was inversely related to waist size,” meaning the bigger the breakfast, the smaller the waist. Those are compelling reasons to eat breakfast.
    I want you to eat immediately after you get up. I eat within fifteen minutes of getting up in the morning. It doesn’t have to be an entire breakfast. Many times, I eat a piece or serving of fruit first, then exercise, then eat the rest a little later. Also note that for anyone exercising first thing if the morning, you must eat first or you risk burning muscle. Eat approximately 100 calories before you exercise–such as a piece of fruit, a yogurt, or a piece of 100-calorie whole-wheat toast–then eat the rest of your breakfast right after. This should contain more protein.
    Muscle
    If you regularly skip breakfast to cut calories and lose weight, you’re in good company with the likes of Diane Sawyer. She used to do it before she worked with me, and so did other celebs and soccer moms I’ve helped in the past. Again, when you skip meals, your body believes there is not a readily available source of fuel. But you should never tell your body that there is a scarcity of food, as it will do everything in its power to slow your metabolism to prolong your life. This is a classic example of your beliefs affecting your behavior, which directly affects your