Everyone seems to understand the
basics of losing weight: calories in versus calories out. However, we
all 
have met those people that seem to eat whatever they want and don’t
gain a pound. They claim, “I have a fast metabolism!” -- which may be
true in your twenties and possibly your thirties but the quality and
quantity of fuel you intake will build your body’s infrastructure (like
it or not) to reflect these choices at some point over the years.
have met those people that seem to eat whatever they want and don’t
gain a pound. They claim, “I have a fast metabolism!” -- which may be
true in your twenties and possibly your thirties but the quality and
quantity of fuel you intake will build your body’s infrastructure (like
it or not) to reflect these choices at some point over the years.
What is metabolism?
Metabolism
is the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order
to maintain life. Translation: The amount of calories you need to
breathe, eat, sleep and function on a daily basis.
How can I boost my metabolism?
1. Eat breakfast
Fueling your body first thing in the
morning isn’t just for school age children. Skipping breakfast actually
slows our metabolism during the day and increases our hunger and
appetite later in the afternoon. Slower calorie burn, slower reaction
times and high calorie craving later in the day are the result.
Tip: Try simple breakfast ideas like quick oatmeal or cholesterol free scramblers like Egg Beaters 100% Egg Whites.
2. Muscle Up
You don’t have to be a body builder to
have a lean muscle to fat tissue ratio. Leaner bodies have higher
metabolic rates. Muscles burn calories - fat doesn’t. Muscle also burns
calories while you sleep while fat doesn’t.
Tip: Incorporate body weight training programs in addition to your cardio routine
3. Move it
Exercise doesn’t just burn calories, but
also improves metabolic rate even after you’ve stopped moving. When
your body needs more fuel to move, it first uses the fast energy stores
of “sugar/glycogen” in your muscles. Once these fuel centers start to
deplete, the body has to break down fat for energy, which it has to work
even harder to do. But the best part is, when you stop moving, the body
has to work to replace that muscle by burning up more fat and restoring
the muscles with more sugar/glycogen to be ready for the next workout.
That “after burn” is revving up the metabolism.
Tip: Try something new to challenge yourself or work out with a partner to get some healthy competition going.
Brought to you by LifeFitness
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