When it comes to your metabolism, you may be surprised to find out that it’s not about whether it’s fast or slow! In today's podcast episode, JJ reveals why it's more important to focus on supporting your metabolism so that it can function at its very best. Listen as JJ shares the key factors that can damage your metabolism, including stress, the wrong type of exercise, and long-term caloric restriction. JJ also explains how to avoid these dangers so that you can easily burn fat for fuel and have steady, sustained energy throughout the day. Find out the truth about metabolism so that you can look and feel your very best!   Freebies From Today’s Episode Get JJ’s free Stress Relief Guide by going to jjvirgin.com/metasupport.   Main Points From Today’s Episode Do you really want a fast metabolism, or does that mean that you’re aging faster? In today’s podcast episode, JJ explains why the goal is to have a metabolism that works well and can easily burn fat for fuel. One of the things that can destroy your metabolism is stress. That’s because stress can not only impair the conversion of thyroid hormones, stress can also break down muscle and make your gut more permeable. While short-term caloric restriction can have benefits, long-term caloric restriction can actually slow down your metabolism. That’s why JJ is a fan of caloric variability so that you can become more metabolically flexible.   Episode Play-By-Play [1:12] Introduction to today’s episode [3:00] Listener shout-out  [4:55] Why it’s important to distinguish type 1 diabetes from type 2 diabetes  [7:05] The true cause of weight gain is not calories, it’s food intolerance! Discover the sneaky 7 foods most likely to create food intolerance in The Virgin Diet. [8:05] Do you really want a fast metabolism, or does that mean that you’re aging faster? [8:55] The goal is to have a metabolism that’s working well.  [9:22] What are the things that can destroy your metabolism?  [10:06] The effects of stress on your metabolism [10:12] Stress can impair the conversion of T4 to T3. [10:36] Other markers of stress  [11:26] Stress can break down muscle and make your gut more permeable.   [12:10] Stress, as well as sugar and artificial sweeteners, can disrupt your gut microbiome, making you more insulin resistant.  [13:16] The impact of prolonged steady-state endurance exercise on your metabolism [14:32] Why you should opt for resistance training and high-intensity interval training [16:47] Why JJ is a fan of caloric variability [18:30] How your body adapts to short-term versus long-term caloric restriction  [20:00] Incorporating caloric and macronutrient variability into your routine can help you become more metabolically flexible. [21:26] Tapping can lower your cortisol levels by as much as 27 percent.  [22:43] Keep changing things up all the time!  [24:07] Action steps from today’s episode – start with one thing.    Mentioned in this episode: The Virgin Diet, by JJ Virgin Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing (for Stress Hormone Testing) Fast Fitness Online Program Free eBook on Tapping Ziva Meditation Betty Rocker’s website Debra Atkinson’s website Subscribe to the JJ Virgin Lifestyle Show Become part of JJ’s community JJ Virgin Official Facebook page JJ Virgin on Instagram JJ Virgin on YouTube