Nearly everyone knows at least one person that can eat everything in sight and never put on weight. It doesn’t matter if they eat cake, ice cream, burgers, or any other food; they always stay the same weight. When asked about this, these people often say they don’t gain weight because of their metabolism. Have you every thought about your metabolism and how it affects your ability to lose or gain weight? If this is something you’ve pondered and are wondering if you can decrease your weight if you increase metabolism, take a look at a few very interesting facts.
Exactly what is metabolism?
Metabolism can be explained as the process that the body uses to chemically process calories from food we consume and convert it to energy. This energy is what makes different physical and physiological functions possible.
Energy metabolism is the chemical process by which calories from the food we consume are converted into energy. This energy is then used for different bodily functions. This energy is constantly being used by the body to keep it functioning even when we’re at rest, allowing us to breathe, repair cellular damage, produce and distribute hormones, and pump blood through the body.
Each person has a unique metabolic rate that is defined as the number of calories the body needs to function while at rest. This is called the base metabolic rate. The base metabolic rate is calculated by multiplying the body weight by 10. For instance, a person that weighs 125 pounds will have a base metabolic rate of 1250 calories. Any calories that are consumed above the base metabolic rate will result in weight gain no matter what kinds of foods that are eaten.
Can you lose weight faster if you increase metabolism?
The process of metabolism is completely natural. While the metabolism is fine tuned to meet the energy needs of different physiological systems, there are some factors that can have an impact on the metabolic rate including physical activity, nutrition, age, and gender.
Individuals that have a high metabolic rate burn calories faster than individuals with slower metabolism. If two people were tested, one with a high metabolism and the other with a slow metabolism, the results would show that the person with a slow metabolism will burn calories slower than the individual with a high metabolic rate.
Can you make the changes needed to increase your metabolism?
Yes, you can increase your metabolism and this will have a direct bearing on your weight loss goals. Among the various factors that impact the metabolic rate is aging. Most people find that it gets progressively hard to lose weight as they grow older; this can be attributed to a decreasing metabolic rate. However, there are some remarkably simple steps that can be taken to speed up your metabolism and keep obesity at bay. These include strength training and aerobic exercises which contribute greatly in boosting your metabolic rate.
Aerobics and strength training can help build more muscle in the body which will increase your metabolism. This happens because muscles require more energy for repair and maintenance than fatty tissue does. Some specific foods and nutritional supplements are known to effectively increase metabolism while decreasing weight.
Is increasing your metabolism the only thing that you will need to lose weight?
While a higher metabolic rate can help you lose weight faster and reach your weight loss goals, you cannot just increase metabolism to control your weight. No matter how fast your metabolism is, you won’t lose weight if you are indulging in foods that are loaded with sugar, carbohydrates, and fat.
Remember anything above the required and used up calories is converted into fat and stored in the cells. So, if you eat more than the calories required by your body, you will either need to find a way to burn these off or they are bound to add to the inches on your waist line. So, it’s imperative to follow a healthy diet and an exercise regimen when trying to lose weight.
Because you don’t want to consume more calories than your body needs, it might help to talk to a dietitian to determine your individual caloric needs. You don’t have to stick to stringent or restrictive diet regimens or starve yourself which will have a negative impact on the body’s metabolic rate. Instead, eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes of kinds of nutritional group.
Learn more about increasing your metabolism. Stop by Michael Gale’s site where you can learn how you can easily increase your metabolism and what the 101 tips can easily do for you.