Welcome to Metabolic Weight Loss!
If you are trying to lose weight, forget about yo-yo diets and starving yourself. The only thing you have to remember is "increase your metabolism". The faster our metabolism the more calories we're capable of burning. Let's take a closer look at what metabolism is.
Simply put, your metabolism is your body's natural process of converting what you eat and drink into energy. It breaks down proteins, fats and carbohydrates to produce the energy you body needs. Your basal metabolic rate is how much energy you burn when you are resting.
The rate of your individual metabolism is dependent on the interaction between what you eat and what you burn. What affects your "burn rate?" It's a combination of physical activity like exercising, your body's makeup and your unique genetic make-up. (See Mayo Clinic)
Weight gain occurs when you take in more calories than you burn. To rid yourself of unwanted excess weight, the idea is to eat less calories and increase the number of calories you burn off through regular physical activity like exercising and work-outs.
However, there are a few secrets to increase your metabolism, which I'll share with you ...
How to Increase Your Metabolism
Muscle tissues burn more calories than fat tissues, so muscle mass is a "must" in doing away with excess weight. How do you increase muscle? Through a combination of strength training and a balanced diet consisting of muscle-building protein. That's the secret!
Here are the steps to go about increasing your burn rate:
- Regular Aerobic Work-outs – These may include simple activities like walking, biking or swimming. As you go through your daily routine, you'll have to devote 30 minutes of your time in these. Should you be targeting to meet specific fitness goals, you'll have to put in longer time.
- Strength Training – Strength training exercises such as weightlifting helps increase your muscle mass over time, thereby increasing your metabolism.
- Lifestyle – Any extra physical movement you do will help burn your calories and contribute to loss of weight. Find ways to move around your home or your office. Take the stairs or walk to your favorite book store several blocks away instead of taking a cab. Even simple activities like gardening or washing your car or cleaning the attic will help burn calories and contribute to reduced weight.
- Your Liver - Any proper functioning of your metabolism depends on the health of your liver - this is the organ that stores and processes all your fats. A growing problem called fatty liver hampers your ability to properly metabolise fats. Fortunately, a proper diet and exercise not only strengthens your body but also your liver.
- Diet - A diet high in protein and vegetables helps promote muscle mass. Cut out the junk food, and add more lean chicken, turkey, Greek yogurt and protein shakes into your diet.