To boost metabolism can translate to an increased ability of your body to lose weight. Are you having trouble losing those extra fifteen pounds you put on over the winter?
If you follow the 7 tips listed below to boost metabolism, you will have a much easier time implementing your weight loss program.
What Is Metabolism?
Each day, after your body has completed all of it's metabolic activities, such as moving and breathing, any excess calories are stored as fat. Metabolism is a basic measure of how many calories your body uses throughout the day.
In fact, your basal metabolic rate is a measure of how many calories your body needs to perform normal bodily functions. However, if you take in more calories then you need, the net result is a weight gain.
Individuals with a low percentage of body fat have a higher metabolic rate then those who don't. This is because muscle tissue uses more calories to maintain itself than does fat.
Consequently, if you already have excess weight, you will gain weight easier than individuals with lower levels of body fat.
Also, if you are contemplating a diet, it will be more difficult to lose weight than it would be for those individuals with a larger percentage of muscle tissue. This is why it is important to boost metabolism before starting a weight loss program.
Factors That May Cause A Slowed Metabolism
Several factors may cause your metabolism to slow, including:
Here are a list of 7 things you can do to boost metabolism:
1) Eat Breakfast - Be sure to eat breakfast each day. By eating breakfast you prevent the body from thinking it's in 'starvation' mode, thus causing a slowed metabolism.
Plus, you should strive to eat most of your food earlier in the day. Make dinner your lightest meal of the day, and try not to eat anything after 8 o'clock each evening.
2) Don't Starve Yourself - Make sure you get your minimum number of calories each day. Anything less than 1,000 calories per day will tend to slow your metabolism.
3) Exercise Daily - Getting plenty of aerobic exercise will tend to boost metabolism. Plus, if done earlier in the day you'll keep your metabolism 'revved' up all day long.
Furthermore, you should attempt to do some weight training at least three times a week. This will cause an increase in your muscle mass, which, of course, burns more calories than fat.
4) Add B Vitamins and Other Supplements - Certain supplements, such as the B vitamins may help boost metabolism. In order to ensure you're getting enough of the B vitamins, consider taking a B complex vitamin plus a separate sublingual B-12.
Here is a list of some additional supplements that may help:
5) Eat Healthy Snacks During the Day - Eating healthy snacks in reasonable portions can help you avoid the overhungry-overeating syndrome which can make you gain weight. You should include healthy snacks such as bananas, peanut butter, or apples.
This combination of healthy proteins and carbohydrates can help regulate your blood sugar, increase energy levels, while giving you a feeling of fullness.
6) Eat the Right Foods - By eating the right mix of foods at mealtime, you encourage your body to burn fat, while helping to boost metabolism.
Your diet should consist of 20 to 30 percent fats, 25 to 40 percent lean proteins, and 40 to 50 percent low-glycemic-index carbohydrates .
7) Drink Plenty of Water - I know you've heard this before, but you should drink 8 glasses of water each day. Your body needs water so that it may better perform the metabolic functions it needs to do daily.
Losing weight can seem like an extremely difficult process at times. However, understanding a physiological concept such as metabolism can make you better equipped to accomplish your weight loss goals.
In conclusion, if you implement the 7 steps mentioned above to boost metabolism, you will certainly see an improvement in your waistline.