This is why the weight keeps coming back


2026 Issue #18

What actually helps your metabolism (from an NTP)

Hi Reader,

Early on in my weight loss journey, I was stuck in the yo-yo cycle.

I’d eat “perfectly” all week…
hit the gym…
drink a ridiculous amount of water…

and the scale would go down. 🥳

But then the weekend would hit and I’d give myself a little “break”…

have some wine… relax a bit…

…and by Monday? I had gained it all back.

Rinse. Repeat.

For the longest time, I blamed:

  • my lack of discipline
  • my body for “working against me”
  • and yes… the wine 🍷

But here’s what I didn’t understand back then:

👉 I wasn’t failing - My metabolism was SLOW.

I was eating in a way that pushed my body into survival mode.

So instead of working with me…
my body was doing its job—trying to protect me.

No wonder it felt like I was at odds with it.

And I wish someone had told me this sooner:

Weight loss does NOT require
🍪 counting every calorie,
🚴🏻‍♀️ never missing a workout,
🍷 or avoiding anything fun.

In fact… when you start working with your body instead of against it…

the weight comes off a lot more smoothly.

So what actually helps your metabolism? Let’s talk about it.

👉 Eat consistently (this is step one)
I know intermittent fasting gets a lot of hype…

But if your body is already stressed,
long gaps without food can make things worse.

When you don’t eat consistently:

  • cortisol goes up
  • blood sugar becomes unstable
  • your body shifts into “hold on to everything” mode

Instead, eating regularly throughout the day tells your body:

“You’re safe. Fuel is coming. You can relax.”

And a relaxed body is a body that can actually burn.

👉 Strength train (not just cardio)
Muscle is metabolically active tissue.

That means it burns energy… even when you’re resting.

In fact, muscle burns about 4x more calories than fat.

So when you build muscle, you’re naturally increasing your metabolism without needing to “do more.”

It’s one of the most powerful (and underrated) tools for long-term fat loss.

👉 Support your minerals (this is where things get interesting)
Your metabolism doesn’t just happen at the gym or in the kitchen…

It happens inside your cells.

And minerals are what allow your body to actually produce energy.

One ratio I look at often is your calcium to potassium ratio.

Ideally, we want that to be below 6.2 : 1.

When calcium is too high relative to potassium, it can signal:

  • a slower metabolic state
  • higher stress patterns
  • and reduced energy production

Which can look like:
fatigue, brain fog, weight that won’t budge… even when you’re “doing everything right.”

This is the part most women are missing.

And it’s exactly why I run mineral tests with my clients—
because instead of guessing, we can actually
see what your body needs.

If you’ve ever felt like your body just isn’t responding the way it should…learn more about a mineral test.

👉 Eat enough protein (especially in the morning)
If your day starts with coffee and nothing else…

your body is already playing catch-up.

Protein helps:

  • stabilize blood sugar
  • support muscle
  • and give your body the building blocks it needs to function

A simple shift like adding protein to your morning
can change your energy for the entire day.

👉 Improve digestion (because you can’t use what you don’t absorb)
You could be eating all the “right” foods…

…but if your digestion is off,
your body isn’t actually getting what it needs.

Stress, low stomach acid, and rushing through meals
all impact how well you break things down.

And no nutrients = no energy production.

👉 Prioritize rest (this one matters more than you think)
If you’re constantly in go-go-go mode…

your body is going to prioritize survival over fat loss.

Your metabolism is deeply tied to your nervous system.

When your body feels safe, rested, and supported—
that’s when it finally lets go.

Here’s the big takeaway:

👉 Your metabolism isn’t broken.
👉 It’s adapting.

And when you give your body what it actually needs…

✔ consistent nourishment
✔ strength
✔ minerals
✔ digestion support
✔ and rest

…it stops fighting you.

And starts working with you.

If this hit a little too close to home…

Just know—there’s nothing wrong with you. There’s just a smarter way to support your body.

xo,

Nikki Leary

Owner, Root for NEW

Reiki & Nutrition Services

www.rootfornew.com

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Root for NEW, LLC

I’m a nutritional therapy practitioner and natural bodybuilder who helps people shed the pounds for good. No gimmicks. Just real, sustainable weight loss.

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