PhilliBilliful
Alex: That would be a pretty big factor in it I would say.
I'm pretty sure metabolism has something to do with the rate your body burns stored energy at to power muscles or aid in healing or something... I'm pretty sure Thymen would know more than me, all of my knowledge comes from Fallout and what little I know from personal experience.
But like anything in your body, you can teach your metabolism to do tricks! If you're in Canada (Are you still in Canada?) you can ask your doctor or weight-loss consultant what he or she thinks you can do to speed up your metabolism. I remember a while ago my old-man weighed in at 240 pounds, and ever since he started Tai-Chi he's dropped back down to 215.
Funny note on that, ever since I started working a nine-to-five shift five days a week I was able to start my self, and I've actually gained muscle weight I thought I lost when I got laid-off...