12 Keys To Boosting Your Metabolism For Weight Loss!

You hear it all the time – “metabolism”, but what is it? It’s the process of converting food to energy. Metabolism happens in your muscles and organs and the result of it is what we commonly refer to as “burning calories”. Metabolism is essentially the speed at which your body’s motor is running.

“Basal metabolism” is the metabolic rate or caloric expenditure needed to maintain basal body functions such as your heart beating, breathing, muscle tone, etc. It’s how fast your “motor” is running when you’re still in a reclined position or sleeping. Basal metabolism accounts for about 75% of the calories you expend on a daily basis!

The good news is that there are 12 ways you can “boost” your metabolism! The more of these you’re able to incorporate into your life, the more you’ll boost your metabolism. That means you’ll be expending (“burning”) more calories 24 hours a day!

1) Always eat breakfast! Skipping breakfast sends the message to your body that you’re starving because you haven’t had food in 18+ hours. As a protective mechanism, your metabolism slows down. Food, especially complex carbohydrates, fuels your metabolism.

2) Eat earlier in the day! Research has demonstrated that you can lose weight simply by eating a substantial breakfast and lunch, and a light dinner. Dinner should be eaten as early as possible, preferably at least four hours before bedtime.

3) Never eat less than 1200 calories per day! Less than 1200 is usually not enough to support your basal metabolism and thus will slow your metabolism.

4) Snack frequently! Complex carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, and grains) fuel your metabolism. Also, snacking prevents you from becoming too hungry. The hungrier you are, the less control you have over what and how much you eat.

5) Eat more carbohydrates (food from plants), and less fat (food from many animals and other food with added fat)! Carbohydrates boost your metabolism and have fewer calories per weight than fat.

6) Do some type of aerobic exercise (walking, jogging, swimming, stationary cycling, aerobic dancing, etc.) on a daily basis (preferably in the morning)! Forget this twice-a-week stuff. Our bodies were designed to be active on a daily basis! When we are, our metabolism soars!

7) In addition to your regular aerobic exercise, take a brisk 10 to 15 minute walk at lunch or in the evening. This serves to boost your metabolism even more!

8) Tone your muscles with weight training three days per week. Toned muscles send your metabolism through the roof. Do it!

9) Look for situations to be active. Park as far from the store as you can rather than looking for the closest parking spot. Use the stairs rather than the elevator, a broom rather than a blower, etc. Look for the “hard” way to do things!

10) Avoid alcohol! Alcohol depresses your metabolism and stimulates your appetite.

11) Drink 60+ ounces of water a day. Your metabolism needs plenty water to function properly. Carry a bottle of water with you and drink frequently throughout the day.

12) Avoid the”3 P’s”... pills, powders, and potions! There are NO quick fixes!

Get started today! You’ll feel better and your metabolism will be in “great shape”!

Greg Landry

Source: freeweightloss.com

Knowing Your Metabolic Type To Lose Weight Naturally

It's very important to understand what you should and shouldn't eat to lose weight, as the same diet plan doesn't work for everyone. A large reason for this is that we each have a metabolic type that dictates the type of foods that help our bodies run most efficiently.

In addition to natural weight loss, eating foods that fit with you will help you with energy, overall health, appearance and mood. When we don't eat the foods that are right for us, then it causes an environment where our bodies don't function properly, which means a challenging time when trying to lose weight.

Protein Types tend to crave sugary foods after eating a meal that includes a lot of carbohydrates, in addition to craving fatty foods like chocolate cake and pizza. When this happens, it typically means that a Protein type individual isn't eating a balance diet that includes a lot of protein, because a Protein type needs a diet low in carbohydrates and high in proteins and healthy fats.

But balance is key, so cutting out all carbs is a no-no. However, selecting carbs wisely is very important. Whole grain carbs and healthy, low-starch vegetables and fruits are best for weight loss. This metabolic type needs to eat protein with every meal for optimal health, and should eat frequent meals or healthy snacks between meals to ensure blood levels don't drop, as this results in hunger pangs and eating binges that challenge weight loss and health.

Carbohydrate metabolic types often eat infrequently, and can go for long periods without eating. They also have a high-tolerance for starchy, sugary foods, which isn't necessarily good because this type of eating can lead to health problems such as diabetes and insulin resistance, as well as making it hard to lose weight.

Carbohydrate types should eat diets high in healthy carbs and low in fat for optimal health and weight loss. Low-fat proteins, like fish, are good options, as protein is still needed within the diet, but again, low-fat proteins are most beneficial. This type should also be cautious when consuming dairy products, as the body doesn't always process them efficiently, and when eating carbs, low starch carbs are best for weight loss and healthy living.

The Combination metabolic type has the most food options available, but do need to be careful to balance their protein and carbohydrate intake. In other words, this metabolic type should be familiar with both the Protein and Carbohydrate types and find a balance between the two within their meal plan for optimal health and natural weight loss.

As you can see, by being aware and understanding metabolic types, especially yours, it puts you in a good position to attack nutrition and your diet in the most healthy and beneficial way for you so you can truly achieve optimal health and towards natural weight loss!

Source: allbestarticles.com