Your metabolism is a key driver of your weight and ability to lose unwanted weight. Most overweight people think they just naturally have a slow metabolism. Some people actually do while others are operating below their peak rates and just don't know there are things they can do to kick start their metabolic rates. This article will provide many important steps you can take to get your metabolism working in high gear.
Some people do have slower metabolisms based on heredity. Age can be a factor as well, with the average person's metabolism slowing about five percent every decade after forty. But these are things out of our control and harping on them do nothing, but keep us from doing things that will actually have an impact on improving our metabolic rates. I offer you some of the best metabolic boosters known today.
Different macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fat) require different energy expenditures by the body in order to digest the food. Protein burns roughly 5x-6x more calories during digestion than a similar amount of calories of fat and about 3x more than carbohydrates. Eat your weight in protein grams and see your metabolic rate soar.
Proper hydration is also key in aiding digestion. With our bodies made up of nearly two-thirds water, it is not beyond reason to think that dehydration can inhibit most bodily functions, including metabolism. Research has shown that drinking more water burns more calories. I recommend one ounce per pound of body weight plus eight ounces per fifteen minutes of exercise. If you want a kicker, drink ice water. This is because of the thermo effect of food/drink. It takes extra calories to warm up cold water in your body.
Smaller, more frequent meals can also play a key role. I recommend six meals per day. Your body will burn more calories by kickstarting the digestion process more frequently throughout the day. It is also important to try to eat a serving of protein with every meal. Consistency is also key. Eating six meals one day and three the next can impact your metabolic rate. Skipping meals is dangerous for your metabolism. It is important to eat a high protein meal early in the morning to get your metabolism running again after a night of fasting.
Eating whole foods is highly recommended as opposed to those that are processed with chemicals and heavy in fat, sodium, and sweeteners. If you do include processed foods in your daily diet, I recommend always reading your food labels so that you are aware of exactly what is in your foods. You would be surprised by some of the dangerous chemicals that are approved for use in our food supply. Some of these can inhibit your metabolism or lead to overeating. It's best to avoid highly-refined foods.
Muscle and exercise play a huge part in your metabolic rate. Muscle burns more calories than fat on your body. Also, weight lifting can be very metabolic, sometimes boosting your rate for up to 48 hours. In order to do this, it is important to push yourself to failure on each exercise, choosing a weight that will drive you to failure before 12 reps with 8 to 10 reps being ideal. HIIT or high-intensity interval training is also a great cardio method to boost your metabolic rate. Thirty seconds to a minute of sprinting followed by up to a minute of jogging or walking can really rev up your metabolism in 20 to 30 minutes.
I also recommend getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you're tired, it's likely you'll skip workouts and crave unhealthy carbs. Proper sleep allows your body to function at its best.
I caution everyone on the use of diet pills and other quick fixes. These rarely have a positive, long-term impact. If they did, our country wouldn't have the obesity rate it does.
Some people do have slower metabolisms based on heredity. Age can be a factor as well, with the average person's metabolism slowing about five percent every decade after forty. But these are things out of our control and harping on them do nothing, but keep us from doing things that will actually have an impact on improving our metabolic rates. I offer you some of the best metabolic boosters known today.
Different macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fat) require different energy expenditures by the body in order to digest the food. Protein burns roughly 5x-6x more calories during digestion than a similar amount of calories of fat and about 3x more than carbohydrates. Eat your weight in protein grams and see your metabolic rate soar.
Proper hydration is also key in aiding digestion. With our bodies made up of nearly two-thirds water, it is not beyond reason to think that dehydration can inhibit most bodily functions, including metabolism. Research has shown that drinking more water burns more calories. I recommend one ounce per pound of body weight plus eight ounces per fifteen minutes of exercise. If you want a kicker, drink ice water. This is because of the thermo effect of food/drink. It takes extra calories to warm up cold water in your body.
Smaller, more frequent meals can also play a key role. I recommend six meals per day. Your body will burn more calories by kickstarting the digestion process more frequently throughout the day. It is also important to try to eat a serving of protein with every meal. Consistency is also key. Eating six meals one day and three the next can impact your metabolic rate. Skipping meals is dangerous for your metabolism. It is important to eat a high protein meal early in the morning to get your metabolism running again after a night of fasting.
Eating whole foods is highly recommended as opposed to those that are processed with chemicals and heavy in fat, sodium, and sweeteners. If you do include processed foods in your daily diet, I recommend always reading your food labels so that you are aware of exactly what is in your foods. You would be surprised by some of the dangerous chemicals that are approved for use in our food supply. Some of these can inhibit your metabolism or lead to overeating. It's best to avoid highly-refined foods.
Muscle and exercise play a huge part in your metabolic rate. Muscle burns more calories than fat on your body. Also, weight lifting can be very metabolic, sometimes boosting your rate for up to 48 hours. In order to do this, it is important to push yourself to failure on each exercise, choosing a weight that will drive you to failure before 12 reps with 8 to 10 reps being ideal. HIIT or high-intensity interval training is also a great cardio method to boost your metabolic rate. Thirty seconds to a minute of sprinting followed by up to a minute of jogging or walking can really rev up your metabolism in 20 to 30 minutes.
I also recommend getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night. If you're tired, it's likely you'll skip workouts and crave unhealthy carbs. Proper sleep allows your body to function at its best.
I caution everyone on the use of diet pills and other quick fixes. These rarely have a positive, long-term impact. If they did, our country wouldn't have the obesity rate it does.
About the Author:
Please see my website for more information at food labels or my blog at reading food labels
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