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A good rule of thumb when you’re trying to lose weight is to focus on your diet and exercise, however, if you’re working with a sluggish metabolism you may feel as if you’re battling an uphill climb. When it comes to weight loss, what works for one person may not work for another, and this is especially true when it comes to a stubborn metabolism. If you’re looking to kick your metabolism into overdrive, you’re probably sticking to a steady routine of cardio and HIIT — but which one will help you burn fat?
“The answer is: it depends on your metabolism,” explains, Dori Arad, PhD, RDN, CDE, the Mount Sinai Physiolab director. The rate of your metabolism depends on the rate at which it takes your body to produce energy from sugar, proteins and fats, and the rate at which it stores that energy as well. If you take a look at your metabolic rate – the number of calories your body burns in a unit of time – you’ll get a better understanding of whether or not you have a slow or fast metabolism. A RMR test (resting metabolic rate test) can help you find out what your resting metabolic rate is. These tests typically cost between $100-$250 depending on where you go. These tests are offered at special gyms and specific sports clinics.
A specialist will analyze your results and determine how well your body burns fat. Dr. Arad says, “If you’re able to burn fat well, do a type of exercise that maximizes fat-burning, like a moderate-intensity run.” If your body has a hard time burning fat, Dr. Arad suggests “You may benefit from doing high-intensity exercise, like high-intensity interval training.”
If you’d rather not spend money on an RMR test to determine your metabolic rate, and you’d like to do a mix of both steady state cardio and HIIT, Dr. Arad says that this is okay too. She says, “Most people are likely to benefit from both, but the secret is to tailor the program to your needs, preferences, and goals.”
