Sport Slow/Fast metabolism...??

[Unusual]

I often hear when somebody is trying to justify his bad shape or discredit someone's good shape with comments like: 'I have a slow metabolism, or he has a fast metabolism" and so on...
So what is the truth? I know we all are different, but can somebody's 'metabolism genetic speed' really make that much difference or it is mostly just a function of how much muscle you have and what your body composition is and daily activity is like. Is it possible that two individiuals of same age, weight, body composition and daily activities can have that much of a different metabolism (maintainance calories)
Please let's clear out this 'myth' at once

 

[Phate89]

Slow metabolism is just a excuse used by over weight people because they are too lazy and lack will power to eat healthy and exercise.
I have a slow metabolism. and I am bulking 1-2 pounds every 2 weeks by only eating 2000-2100 calories. When I was overweight i made the same excuse telling myself that my slow metabolism was the reason i cant lose weight and i was just naturally big, I was in denial. I lost the weight and am now gaining muscle and its because i had the will power and determination to succeed.

It goes the opposite way as well, i have a close friend with a super metabolism weighing in at 116lbs at 5'9. I tell him to eat more and eat 6-7 meals a day and just eat more and he says he does and he just has a fast metabolism, but i don't see him eat anymore than he usually does and isn't actually trying

 

[deschain]

No, it is absolutely not just an excuse lazy people use. That's absurd.

It is quite common for someone who puts forth no effort at all, and eats like crap, to blame it on a slow metabolism...true. However, individual genetics play a large role in a person's weight.

All things being equal - two people can still have different metabolic rates and wt tendencies. That is why even the most respected BMR equations can only provide an estimate to base caloric intake from. From there, each person must use trial and error, and pay attention to their own body, to find where they need to be.

 

[philsaigon]

Body types are also related to metabolism

 

[Typhon]

I think Phate has a good point. Yes, some people naturally burn calories faster than others but I've never, ever, seen anyone whose shape wasn't a clear reflection of their diet and lifestyle. I meet people who blame it on genetics every day though

I, like Phate, was someone who made excuses for years; I blamed my pathetic physique on a fast metabolism but the second I stopped the excuses and monitored what I ate all of a sudden I started bulking up

OP-genetics give you a starting point but anyone can acheive a good physique with the right information and focus. If you meet someone who blames their metabolism then they either ill informed or poorly focused

 

[Typhon]

Body types are also related to metabolism

This is my favorite bit from that article

The truth is, despite the fact that there are 3 different body types, you CAN make each body type do what you want it to do. You just need to tailor your diet and workout accordingly. The endomorph can lose weight. The ectomorph can gain weight and muscle. The mesomorph can do all of the above as well. Don't be mad at your genetics. Don't use them as an excuse. If you are naturally inclined to be fat, it's your fault if you actually become and stay fat. If you are naturally inclined to be very skinny and have very little muscle, it's your fault for actually becoming and staying that way.

 

[Phate89]

No, it is absolutely not just an excuse lazy people use. That's absurd.

It is quite common for someone who puts forth no effort at all, and eats like crap, to blame it on a slow metabolism...true. However, individual genetics play a large role in a person's weight.

All things being equal - two people can still have different metabolic rates and wt tendencies. That is why even the most respected BMR equations can only provide an estimate to base caloric intake from. From there, each person must use trial and error, and pay attention to their own body, to find where they need to be.

Yes it is a excuse they use, please prove me wrong.
Anyone can get their dream body, some have to just work harder than others.

 

[shanks911]

Phate n CCR:

I do agree that people do use bone structure/metabolism as an excuse but its such baloney to say that everyone does..

How can you possibly know how easy/difficult it is for others?..

I was an extreme endo (not obese, but 5'9/185lbs, wide-ish hips-apple shaped, bad cardio, very slow metabolism) and I educated myself about diet/weights/cardio and I worked to change everything. I know that bad cardio and obesity are NOT totally down to metabolism/body type, however, being 5'9 and an endo certainly doesn't help matters.

I'm now 160lb and bulking, my cardio is hugely improved, however, there are certain things, such as the wide hips/slow metabolism that will always be there.. The metabolism has sped up since I started dieting, however, it's always gonna be there waiting to pounce if I ever slip up on the diet, similarly, the hips are still wide, however, with the lower body fat they're now an asset rather than a disappointment as they actually look great without a load of stomach fat..

I guess what I'm saying is that sure everyone CAN do whatever they want body-wise in a perfect world, but it's oh so much harder for those who are put at a natural disadvantage. Sure you shouldn't mollycoddle people who are constantly going on about how unhappy they are with their body but do very little to change it, but its such a slap in the face to have people say that EVERY person who isn't able to do what they want is somehow a loser and doesn't deserve help!.. I know you didn't say that but it's clearly implied.

GENETICS NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY!

 

[goergen1]

1. Metabolism is not genetic.

2. Body Type is not genetic.

50 years ago there was not an obesity epidemic. There was not the very large proportion of fat kids. (I mention fat kids because if these things are genetic then there would be a similar proportion of fat to skinny kids, there is not) Why?? Because people were more active, and portion sizes were smaller. That is it.

Metabolism is simply a factor of activity level, as is body type. Anyone that says anything different is kidding themselves.

The reason it is harder for an "endomorph" to lose weight is that they have more than likely been eating too much and doing very little activity for a long time.

I also have personal experience with all body types. I started as an "ectomorph" (5'10" 100lbs) then trained myself to be a "mesomorph" (5'10" 250lbs) then gained to be a "endomorph" (5'10" 330lbs) then became a "mesomorph" (5'10" 205lbs) now my body type would be considered "endomorph." (5'10" 280lbs)

If I choose to, I will change my "body type" again. It is simply behavior that governs metabolism and body type.

I have also seen many other people change their "body type" over time. They just did what it took to make it happen.

You know what, it is hard to gain muscle, lose fat, or get in shape, it is not limited to any type of body that someone may think they have. It is not limited to the type of metabolism people have.

It takes discipline, consistency, and time. (the amount of each thing will be different for different people, some need to be more consistent, some will take more time, some will require more discipline it all depends upon how well people adapt to habit change)

Sure genetics play a role to a certain extent, not as big of a role as people think.

 

[shanks911]

1. Metabolism is not genetic.

2. Body Type is not genetic.

So, bone structure/body type is not genetic?.. If it isn't genetic, then what (thats within our control) exactly does determine our bone structure? And metabolism isn't genetic?.. It may not be so entrenched that it cannot be changed but I don't understand how it isn't genetic.. Dieting and exercise can only go so far in changing the body's makeup, in my opinion, things like body size/proportions that are so totally genetic there's no point even discussing them as they can't be changed.

Good on you for doing what you've done but just because you've done it doesn't mean that everyone can overcome their body types.. I'm on your side with the point that everyone can do it, but its impossible to know what kind of effort it takes for someone else.

 

[Phate89]

1. Metabolism is not genetic.

2. Body Type is not genetic.

50 years ago there was not an obesity epidemic. There was not the very large proportion of fat kids. (I mention fat kids because if these things are genetic then there would be a similar proportion of fat to skinny kids, there is not) Why?? Because people were more active, and portion sizes were smaller. That is it.

Metabolism is simply a factor of activity level, as is body type. Anyone that says anything different is kidding themselves.

The reason it is harder for an "endomorph" to lose weight is that they have more than likely been eating too much and doing very little activity for a long time.

I also have personal experience with all body types. I started as an "ectomorph" (5'10" 100lbs) then trained myself to be a "mesomorph" (5'10" 250lbs) then gained to be a "endomorph" (5'10" 330lbs) then became a "mesomorph" (5'10" 205lbs) now my body type would be considered "endomorph." (5'10" 280lbs)

If I choose to, I will change my "body type" again. It is simply behavior that governs metabolism and body type.

I have also seen many other people change their "body type" over time. They just did what it took to make it happen.

You know what, it is hard to gain muscle, lose fat, or get in shape, it is not limited to any type of body that someone may think they have. It is not limited to the type of metabolism people have.

It takes discipline, consistency, and time. (the amount of each thing will be different for different people, some need to be more consistent, some will take more time, some will require more discipline it all depends upon how well people adapt to habit change)

Sure genetics play a role to a certain extent, not as big of a role as people think.

I totally agree with you. Though I consider myself to have a slow metabolism because I can maintain my weight at 1700 cals

 

[philsaigon]

1. Metabolism is not genetic.

2. Body Type is not genetic.

So, bone structure/body type is not genetic?.. If it isn't genetic, then what (thats within our control) exactly does determine our bone structure? And metabolism isn't genetic?.. It may not be so entrenched that it cannot be changed but I don't understand how it isn't genetic.. Dieting and exercise can only go so far in changing the body's makeup, in my opinion, things like body size/proportions that are so totally genetic there's no point even discussing them as they can't be changed.

Good on you for doing what you've done but just because you've done it doesn't mean that everyone can overcome their body types.. I'm on your side with the point that everyone can do it, but its impossible to know what kind of effort it takes for someone else.

1. Metabolism is not genetic.

2. Body Type is not genetic.

50 years ago there was not an obesity epidemic. There was not the very large proportion of fat kids. (I mention fat kids because if these things are genetic then there would be a similar proportion of fat to skinny kids, there is not) Why?? Because people were more active, and portion sizes were smaller. That is it.

Metabolism is simply a factor of activity level, as is body type. Anyone that says anything different is kidding themselves.

The reason it is harder for an "endomorph" to lose weight is that they have more than likely been eating too much and doing very little activity for a long time.

I also have personal experience with all body types. I started as an "ectomorph" (5'10" 100lbs) then trained myself to be a "mesomorph" (5'10" 250lbs) then gained to be a "endomorph" (5'10" 330lbs) then became a "mesomorph" (5'10" 205lbs) now my body type would be considered "endomorph." (5'10" 280lbs)

If I choose to, I will change my "body type" again. It is simply behavior that governs metabolism and body type.

I have also seen many other people change their "body type" over time. They just did what it took to make it happen.

You know what, it is hard to gain muscle, lose fat, or get in shape, it is not limited to any type of body that someone may think they have. It is not limited to the type of metabolism people have.

It takes discipline, consistency, and time. (the amount of each thing will be different for different people, some need to be more consistent, some will take more time, some will require more discipline it all depends upon how well people adapt to habit change)

Sure genetics play a role to a certain extent, not as big of a role as people think.

I agree that too many people use this as an excuse. If you have a slow metabolism you have to work harder to keep fat off, if you have a super fast met then you have to work hard to gain. Tough luck, deal with it and do what it takes as with anything else in life.

As for body types being genetic or not, I think I'd have to agree with the Shanker here. George, I think you're still an ectomorph but currently have the body of an endo. So, if you decided to lose weight starting tomorrow, it'd be easier/faster for you than a for a natural endo at your same weight.

On a side note, how come you didn't stop and maintain at the 5'10" 205lbs point?

 

[shanks911]

If you have a slow metabolism you have to work harder to keep fat off, if you have a super fast met then you have to work hard to gain. Tough luck, deal with it and do what it takes as with anything else in life.

I think that's really about the long and short of it right there! Labouring the point is fine just for the sake of conversation but that's the bottom line!

 

[goergen1]

On a side note, how come you didn't stop and maintain at the 5'10" 205lbs point?

Well. People ask this question of me pretty often. I do not like to be skinny or weak. A bodyweight of 205 is skinny. I am not comfertable at that weight. My motivation to hit that weight was that I was going to do some MMA. It was going well until I took a knee (actually three in a row) to the face. That got me out of the MMA kick. (apparently I am not that tough)

I have been a competitive Olympic lifter, powerlifter, or strongman most of my adult life. I have always put performance over appearance and have benefited from this. Appearance means very little in the whole scheme of things, and I have never felt the need to be small or lean because of vanity.

Bigger people are stronger people, I compete in Highland games now (and I have friends talking me into getting back into strongman as well. That is what got me to 330lbs) so strength is something that I am emotionally attached to and have always come back to after various lapses of judgment when I strayed from the strength world.

I also like to eat, I am alive and want to enjoy my meals. I believe anyone who says "you should eat to live not live to eat" is full of crap. I will squeeze enjoyment out of all aspects of my life.

Basically I do what I enjoy and let the rest of the world pass judgment if they like.

So, bone structure/body type is not genetic?.. If it isn't genetic, then what (thats within our control) exactly does determine our bone structure?

We are born with a bone structure. That can change, especially with training. Studies done on strength athletes across the last 40 years or so have shown that these people increase bone density as well as over girth of the bone. Our bones adapt to training stress, over time increasing strength and girth in order to sustain the higher loads that are being used.

This takes time (much longer than for muscular adaptation) but happens. After 17 years of training I am under no illusions that my bone structure is the same as it was when I started. X-Rays have shown that my knee joints have increased close to 3" in circumference. (compared to the x-ray taken when I was 15 years old) Showing that an overall change in bone structure has happened.

And metabolism isn't genetic?

It is true that we are born with a certain metabolism. As we age that metabolism changes based upon our environment. It will be significantly slower once one reaches the teenage years if all of the time up to that point has been largely sedentary. The same holds true if you are very active over that time. Once we become adults, our environment and activity level up until that point has a much larger effect on metabolism than genetics has.

The same holds true for increasing metabolism. An adult can increase metabolism, it takes time, time being more active, time eating better, but metabolism will change.

The human body adapts to training very efficiently, most people do not realize that the body adapts to nothing (sedentary / lack of activity) just as efficiently.

 

[matt182]

1. Metabolism is not genetic.

2. Body Type is not genetic.

50 years ago there was not an obesity epidemic. There was not the very large proportion of fat kids. (I mention fat kids because if these things are genetic then there would be a similar proportion of fat to skinny kids, there is not) Why?? Because people were more active, and portion sizes were smaller. That is it.

Metabolism is simply a factor of activity level, as is body type. Anyone that says anything different is kidding themselves.

The reason it is harder for an "endomorph" to lose weight is that they have more than likely been eating too much and doing very little activity for a long time.

This is perhaps one of the most poorly informed responses i have read thus far.

But before i reply i want to say obviously personal decisions and the environment have a significant role in obesity (except for some biological disorders such as leptin defeciency)

In case you dont know what metabolism is, its a series of reactions with numerous control points that allows carb, fat and proteins to be utilised as energy. People do and will be born with differnt amounts of products and enzymes that will determine the rate at which foods products get broken down. By the way obese people are more likely to give rise to fat babies, how is that not genetics if the baby hasnt even had a chance to experience its environment.

Lets not forget other things that could be involved that are genetic. I assume your unaware of hormones such as CCK that are secreted in the stomach, and GI. These promote satiety and if the pathway to the brain with other hormones is disrupted guess what youll east more because youll feel hungry all the time.

What about leptin (which can be compared to type 11 diabetes) obese people have plenty of it, so why is this a problem for them? becuase their brain is unresponsive to it.

Lets not forget about psychological factors too...

To assume genetics has no or little role is either stupidity or ignorance. Being overweight or obese is multifactorial and is not as simple as you claim.

 

[deschain]

Genetic tendencies do have an affect of wt - there have always been people more prone to wt gain than others, even before the obesity epidemic. The problem comes in when lazy people take it and use it as an excuse to continue being lazy.

Everyone is technically capable of losing fat, and gaining muscle (barring some bizarre disorder). That isn't the question.

We have some control over our BMR through increased activity, LBM, and some other things - but whether or not we have any control over that isn't the question either.

The question was whether or not two people of relatively similar stats can have different metabolisms, making it more difficult for one of them to lose weight - yes, they can.

 

[tmalik70]

Genetic tendencies do have an affect of wt - there have always been people more prone to wt gain than others, even before the obesity epidemic. The problem comes in when lazy people take it and use it as an excuse to continue being lazy.

Everyone is technically capable of losing fat, and gaining muscle (barring some bizarre disorder). That isn't the question.

We have some control over our BMR through increased activity, LBM, and some other things - but whether or not we have any control over that isn't the question either.

The question was whether or not two people of relatively similar stats can have different metabolisms, making it more difficult for one of them to lose weight - yes, they can.

I think most people here agree that different metabolism can make it more difficult/easier for some people to lose/gain weight. The question is how much of a difference it makes.

For me I've always been an "ectomorph" which should mean I should have a lot of trouble gaining weight and muscle. I started training and dieting 14 months ago. Once I was up to speed and knowledgeable on dieting/training gaining weight and muscle was easy. I gained a good 25-30lb of weight in 9 months with it mostly being muscle.

This proved to me that my body type or metabolism didn't affect me as much as I thought.

For me metabolisms do matter but not to the extent most people argue. We can all train our body to do what we want, some easier than others but it is possible and I don't believe it should be used as an excuse. Yes your metabolism could make it harder for you to achieve your goals but I'm sure there's another part of you that makes achieving your goal easier. You gotta take the rough with the smooth!

Started babbling near the end there! Basically metabolisms do matter, but IMO they don't matter as much as people make out!

 

[matt182]

Well we were really talking about the concept of fat. Of course, if you eat right and incurr a stimulus the muscle will respond and some will gain significantly more muscle than othrs...

 

[goergen1]

This is perhaps one of the most poorly informed responses i have read thus far.

Matt, I understand that you have trouble grasping how things work in real life.

In case you dont know what metabolism is.....bla, bla, bla,bla

I know, you do not understand. Metabolism is like any other aspect of fitness. Look at strength for instance. Say a person starts training and, in the beginning their bench press is 50lbs, and they work their way up to a 315lb bench press.

Then lets say that the person stops training. Even after years of not training, if they go to lift weight, their bench press will be higher than their initial 50lbs. More than likely they will be able to life over 100lbs.

Metabolism works the same way. If a sedentary person trains for a long period of time, metabolism gets faster. Nobody will argue this, since it is generally excepted that the more trained an individual is the more calories they need.

Say their MT goes from 1500 calories to 3000 calories. If that person stops training, their MT does not immediately drop to 1500 calories. It will take years of not training for their body to drop back down to the 1500 calories (it may not ever drop that low)

The same is true if a person with a fast metabolism stays sedentary for many years. Lets say 10 years. Their metabolism will be slower at the end of that 10 years that it was at the beginning of that 10 years. Simply because the body will adapt to a sedentary lifestyle.

Thus, in different times in a persons life their metabolism may be faster or slower. It is not set in stone. The fact that they may have started with a faster or slower metabolism does not matter. Each person is different, but the way the body adapts is going to be pretty consistent.

By the way obese people are more likely to give rise to fat babies, how is that not genetics if the baby hasnt even had a chance to experience its environment.

Thank you for not reading the entire thread. If you had you would have seen that I said -

It is true that we are born with a certain metabolism.

After that I state that behavior and environment have a larger impact on metabolism than genetics.

Of course I would not expect you to actually read through all of the posts.

To assume genetics has no or little role is either stupidity or ignorance. Being overweight or obese is multifactorial and is not as simple as you claim.

Trust me, it is that simple. (barring extreme situations, which are a fraction of a percentage of people, so they are not worth discussing at this time)

The reality is that if a person is obese, they are that way because of the way they have lived their life up until that point. At any time after that they can make changes, and reach the goals they want.

The question was whether or not two people of relatively similar stats can have different metabolisms, making it more difficult for one of them to lose weight - yes, they can.

That is the answer to the original question. initially. After 2 or 3 years of training the answer will be different.

For me metabolisms do matter but not to the extent most people argue. We can all train our body to do what we want, some easier than others but it is possible and I don't believe it should be used as an excuse. Yes your metabolism could make it harder for you to achieve your goals but I'm sure there's another part of you that makes achieving your goal easier. You gotta take the rough with the smooth!

Well said

 

[matt182]

blah blah blah? i should be the one saying that in response to that

im not going to reply much because theres no need, previous posts have answered the question, but..

"Thus, in different times in a persons life their metabolism may be faster or slower. It is not set in stone. The fact that they may have started with a faster or slower metabolism does not matter. Each person is different, but the way the body adapts is going to be pretty consistent"

Yes it does matter, so you think someone with a slow metabolism can alter it so they can have a fast one? thats not the case of course they can improve it but they cant go from one extreme to the next. From 20 years of age it begins its decline, no matter what you do it will decline.