If you've been feeling like your metabolism is sluggish or your progress has hit a plateau, it might be time to take a closer look at your habits.

While metabolic rates aren’t entirely within our control - thanks, genetics - there are components linked to our daily choices that can impact how fast or slow our metabolism operates.

Here are five common ways you could be unintentionally slowing down your metabolism:

You're dieting too often:

Consistently cycling through restrictive diets can wreck havoc on your metabolism. Your body responds to prolonged calorie deficits by slowing down its metabolic rate to conserve energy, making it harder to lose weight over time. Spending time at maintenance is the key to success.

You're eating too few of calories:

Severely restricting your calorie intake might seem like a quick fix for weight loss, but it can actually backfire in the long game. Eating too few of calories can signal to your body that it's in starvation mode, causing your metabolism to slow down to preserve energy.

You're moving less:

A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to a slower metabolism. Regular physical activity not only burns calories, but also helps to maintain muscle mass, which is crucial for keeping your metabolism revved up.

You're losing muscle:

Crash diets and excessive cardio can lead to muscle loss, which can further slow down your metabolism. Muscle tissue is metabolically active, meaning it burns more calories at rest compared to fat tissue. Incorporating strength training into your routine can help preserve muscle mass and keep your metabolism working in your favor.

You're not aware of what you're eating:

What you eat actually matters. Without a care to your nutrition and the foods you're consuming, you could be slowing down your metabolism without even realizing it. Did you know that protein burns more calories than carbs through the digestive process? This is why protein is so important for stoking the metabolic fire. Plus, protein is essential for maintaining lean muscle mass.

By addressing these factors and making small, sustainable changes to your lifestyle, you can support a healthy metabolism and achieve your weight loss goals more effectively.