How to Boost Metabolism and Lose Weight

It used to be that numbers on the scale were the main indicator of weight management and obesity. Today, doctors know that many factors make it easy to gain and difficult to lose weight, including metabolism, sleep time and quality, activity, stress, and more.

Jean Huang, MD, an endocrinologist with Washington Health Medical Group, is raising awareness that one’s overall health should be taken into consideration when determining a healthy weight. She encourages people not to focus solely on the scale, but rather, on how they feel with energy and strength, and body composition changes.

“Weight management is no longer just about calories and activity level,” says Dr. Huang, who is certified by the American Boards of Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. “They’re still the foundation of weight management, but it’s more than that. People are frustrated. They’re eating right, going to the gym, and still can’t lose weight. Now, we look at metabolism and other factors as they contribute to weight control.”

Passionate about this topic, especially in preventing diabetes, Dr. Huang will present a Washington Health free online seminar, “Mastering Weight Management: Boosting Metabolism for Lasting Results” June 11 at 5 p.m. The public may watch in real time online at Facebook.com/WashingtonHealth1 or YouTube.com/@Washington_Health. After the initial airing, this and other seminars are available for viewing on Washington Health’s YouTube page.

Reducing Risk of Disease

The seminar is aimed at those who struggle to lose weight, and will explain how to boost metabolism. Metabolism is how the body turns food into energy to keep it functioning. The rate of obesity in the United States increases each year, and was more than 35% in 2023 among 23 states, according to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention population data.

“Obesity is an epidemic in our country, and the root cause of many diseases, including diabetes, pulmonary, and cardiovascular issues,” according to Dr. Huang. “If we don’t pay attention, the epidemic will create complications for more people each year.”

She will discuss:

• Increasing metabolic rate
• Developing effective eating habits
• Sustaining long-term weight loss
• Taking control of one’s health

Dr. Huang will emphasize the importance of meal-planning and activity. She will give tips on how to start exercising from a sedentary lifestyle, and touch on the intermittent fasting and 10,000-steps-a-day trends. Most importantly, she’ll explain why stress and sleep contribute to weight gain.

“Roadblocks to weight control still stem from our fast-paced society,” she explains, “including eating on the run, stress, and sleep quantity and quality. These factors can be improved to make a difference.”

One of the best ways to make a difference in managing weight, she notes, is through healthy food choices, especially eating protein to start the day.

A High-Protein Breakfast

“I tell my patients, ‘Breakfast! Breakfast! Breakfast!’ “ she says with a smile. “It’s not a cliché.” Starting the day with protein helps keep people satisfied and better able to make healthy meal choices. It also jumpstarts the body’s metabolism for the day to function optimally and not slow down.

She recommends optimizing protein intake for breakfast. Eat boiled eggs, for example, or egg whites if watching cholesterol. She will further elaborate on the importance of eating a high-protein breakfast at the seminar.

Getting enough sleep is also key to weight management, especially for those who work round-the-clock shifts. Sleeping at odd hours disturbs the body’s circadian rhythm.

“Sleep is very important,” she points out, “It’s how our bodies give our organs rest. People with poor sleep or insomnia have increased levels of inflammation and cortisol. Poor sleeping triggers an inflammatory reaction, and a downward spiral. A person will feel tired and stressed.”

Dr. Huang will also discuss how stress can impact food choices. “When we’re in high stress, we sometimes use food for relief.”

For more tips on boosting metabolism and losing weight, tune in to Dr. Huang’s seminar, June 11 at 5 p.m. on Facebook.com/WashingtonHealth1 or YouTube.com/@Washington_Health.

For more information about Dr. Huang, visit www.mywtmf.com/find-a-doctor/jean-huang-md/