The dieting industry has taught us to think of metabolism in terms of how efficiently our body burns the fuel, or food, that we eat. Most people believe that a thin body has a fast metabolism, and a body that carries around extra weight has a slower metabolism. But there is more to the story than that.

Metabolism is the sum total of all of the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life itself.

This means that your metabolism is affected by far more than the so called “fast” or “slow” metabolism genes you were given at birth.

Your metabolism is affected by the environment you’re in, the thoughts you think, the people you surround yourself with, the emotions that are swirling around in your body, the words that you speak, the food that you eat, how you feel about the food that you’re eating, who you are being when you eat, and much, much more.

The sum total of all of your thoughts, feelings, beliefs and experiences deeply impacts your metabolism.

So, if you are…

…stressed
or lonely
or feeling rushed…
if you believe that what you’re eating is bad
or it’s going to make you fat
or if you’re talking negatively to yourself about yourself…
…it will affect how well your metabolism functions.

If you are…

…present
calm
and grateful when you eat..
if you take your time
taste and enjoy your food
and relish the company you are with or the surroundings you are in…

… that also affects how well your metabolism works.

Too often, we worry excessively about what we’re eating – the calories, carbs or fat grams – and whether or not it’s going to make us skinny or fat. But what if the worry itself is something that also needs to be tended to – because anxiety has its own set of metabolic repercussions that, when avoided, create a healthier, happier, higher functioning body.

The most powerful way you can show up at the breakfast, lunch or dinner table is as a woman who honors, loves and nourishes herself.

Choosing to respect and love yourself and learning to truly honor yourself can have extraordinary ripple effects in your life, on your health, on your metabolism, and for your body.

It’s the most powerful and profound thing you could ever choose to do for you, at mealtime and beyond. You get to choose who you are being in any given moment or situation. Why not choose the most life affirming version of you?