Remember those carefree days in your early twenties when you could eat whatever you wanted without a second thought? A few extra slices of pizza, a handful of biscuits with your cup of tea, and even that chocolate croissant from your favourite bakery seemed harmless.

Then you hit 25, and it’s as if a magic spell has been broken – poof! Now, everything you eat sticks to your belly, hips, and thighs.

You're not alone. A slower metabolism could be to blame, which is a nightmare for every woman.

Luckily, we’re here to tell you what you can do to fight back!

What's a slow metabolism and why is it making you gain weight?

Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. A faster metabolic rate means you burn more calories in rest phase, while a slower metabolic rate leads to fewer calories burned, and the excess is stored as fat.

As you age, it’s common for your metabolism to gradually slow down. This means your body becomes less efficient at burning calories, leading to weight gain, especially around your belly. 

But don't fear, as it's not just turning 25 that makes your metabolisim grind to a halt, in fact your age is just a small factor, it's the modern lifestyle choices we make as we get older that have more of an impact on metabolism.

5 common reasons behind your slow metabolism

1. Poor diet: All those quick snacks and comfort foods you love can slow down your metabolism. Highly processed foods, fried foods and sweets lead to insulin spikes and crashes, making your metabolism sluggish.

2. Hormonal changes: In your late twenties and early thirties, your body undergoes hormonal shifts that can affect your metabolism. Your growth hormone production reduces, and this change has been linked to obesity. And oestrogen, your main female hormone, is crucial for fat metabolism. When you reach the 40 milestone, oestrogen levels start to decline rapidly.

3. Sleep deprivation: It’s easy to neglect sleep with your busy schedule, but a lack of rest can cause chaos in your metabolism. When you sleep, your body regulates hormones and restores energy to help you function optimally. But what’s more, if you sleep less than 7 hours per night, you’ll crave more food the following day as your body needs more calories to keep you on your feet.

4. Less activity: Remember when you were always on the move? As you leave your college years behind, it’s common to become more sedentary. This drop in physical activity means fewer calories burned and, consequently, weight gain.

5. Stress: This one is a sneaky weight-gainer. It can lead to increased levels of cortisol, a hormone that encourages fat storage, particularly around your belly. Long-term stress can also lead to unhealthy eating habits, further slowing your metabolism and piling up the kilos.

4 tips for speeding up your metabolism

Don’t worry – there are simple ways to get your metabolism back on track without forcing you into a complete lifestyle transformation:

• Start your day with warm water and lemon

Drinking 500 ml of water first thing in the morning helps kickstart your metabolism (meaning energy expenditure) by 24%. By adding lemon, you treat yourself to a sprinkle of vitamin C and citrusy flavour.

• Try flax seeds

This superfood is packed with fibre, which aids digestion and helps regulate your metabolism. Make sure you buy ground flaxseed, as it's easier to digest.

• Get moving

You don’t need to hit the gym every day. Simple activities like walking, taking the stairs, or even a quick dance session can make a difference. But if you wish to really get things moving, try walking for 30 minutes every day – you could burn an additional 150 kcal doing this!

• Body Shaping Day & Night Bundle

Designed to help you shape your body and speed up your metabolism effortlessly, this bundle is a popular choice when you’re trying to fight weight gain.  You’ll also see weight-loss results much faster.

Body Shaping Day & Night Bundle for a fast metabolism

When it comes to fighting weight gain after 25, the Body Shaping Day & Night bundle is your new bestie. This bundle includes everything you need to tackle a slow metabolism, sleep peacefully, and get your body back on track in just 20 days.

• 5-in-1 Curve Shaper: With Java tea and white mulberry power, it works as an appetite suppressant, prevents fat storage, and boosts your metabolism during the day. It’s enriched with Morosil®, a patented red-orange extract proven to help you lose up to 3* kg of body weight, reduce waist circumference by up to 7.5* cm, and reduce hip circumference by up to 6* cm.

• Night Burner Drink: This drink does its magic while you sleep. Its 4-in-1 action burns fat during the night, prevents fat accumulation, and helps you resist evening cravings, all while helping you sleep peacefully. The main ingredient, Garcinia cambogia, boosts weight loss by up to 3* times.

• My Skinny Tea: This detox tea with pu-erh, burdock, sweet fennel, and other herbs helps cleanse your body, improve digestion, and gently speed up your metabolism.