If you are trying to get into shape or just maintain good health, then you are probably familiar with the benefits of a healthy diet and fitness routine. A healthy diet can help you to lose weight and maintain a healthy body mass, while a regular exercise routine can tone your body. This is because both diet and exercise play an important role in regulating your metabolism. Maintaining a healthy metabolism is a key factor in improving your overall health.
What is Metabolism?
Metabolism literally means "transformation." It is the term used to describe the process by which your body changes caloric intake into energy for all of your bodily processes. Your body’s metabolism is running all of the time – while you are exercising, while you are eating, and even while you are sleeping – in order to help your body:
*create new cells and tissue
*maintain its temperature
*repair injuries
*perform all bodily activities
Metabolism is generally measured according to your basal metabolic rate (BMR). This is a calculation of how quickly your metabolism works when you are resting.
How Does Metabolism Work?
Your body’s metabolism is based on the food that you eat. Your body gets all of its energy from food that you ingest on a daily basis. This energy is measured in calories. After you eat your food, your body breaks down the different components into energy that it can use to run different cellular processes. Special molecules, called enzymes, which are released by your pancreas and thyroid gland, help to break your food down into sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids. These three types of energy are then absorbed into your bloodstream and transported to all of the different cells in your body to help to run all of your body’s different processes. Any excess energy is then stored by your body as muscle or fat, so that it can be used in the future.
Factors Affecting Metabolism:
There are a number of different factors affecting metabolism. The most important factor is the amount of lean muscle mass that your body contains. Lean muscle mass burns energy all of the time, even when you are not actively working out. It also burns more calories than any other part of your body. The more lean muscle mass you have, the higher your metabolism will be. Other factors affecting metabolism include:
Age: As you age, your metabolism naturally slows down. This is because the body loses lean muscle mass over the years. Expect your metabolism to decline by about 2% every decade after the age of 20.
Gender: Men have naturally higher levels of lean muscle mass. This means that women will generally have lower metabolisms than men.
Height: People who are taller have a greater surface area for their bodies to fuel. As a result, taller people tend to have a more active metabolism and require more calories in order to stay energized.
Family History: Your genes will also play a role in your metabolism. Some families have a naturally high metabolism, while others have a naturally low metabolism.
Eating Habits: The more often you eat, the more active your metabolism will become. If your body doesn’t get a regular supply of calories, it will enter into "starvation mode," during which your metabolism will slow down and store excess energy as fat. This is why many people who are trying to lose weight suffer from the yo-yo dieting syndrome.
Exercise and Metabolism:
Exercise also plays a key role in determining the rate at which your metabolism will work. Exercise helps to increase metabolism in two ways:
Burns Calories: When you perform an activity, your metabolism will naturally speed up in order to burn up enough energy to fuel your bodily movements. Your metabolism will remain elevated for up to 12 hours after you exercise.
Creates Muscle Mass: As you exercise, your body loses excess fat and begins to lay down increased amounts of lean muscle mass. This is particularly true of strength training exercises, such as weight-lifting and resistance exercises. Because muscle burns more calories than fat, exercise is a natural way to increase your metabolism.
Metabolic Problems:
Sometimes, problems with the metabolic process can affect how your metabolism is working. These problems can be present at birth or can develop over time.
For more info, download Increase Metabolism, a free ebook.
Thyroid Problems: The thyroid gland releases a special hormone, known as thyroxine, which helps your metabolism to function properly. Sometimes, a person’s thyroid gland can become overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism), affecting weight, heart rate, and other bodily processes.
Diabetes: Diabetes is a condition that results from an inappropriate response to your body’s blood glucose (energy) levels. It can result in rapid weight loss or gain, heart problems, and circulatory disorders.
Getting a Boost: How To Increase Metabolism?
If you are eager to lose weight or just improve your overall health, you may be interested in finding a way to boost your metabolism.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Eat Regularly: Though it can be tempting, it is important not to restrict the amount of food you are eating. Don’t skip meals as this will trick your metabolism into starvation mode. Instead focus on eating three healthy meals a day, and at least two snacks. Try to eat lots of vegetables and fruits, along with healthy portions of protein and carbohydrates.
Exercise: It is essential that you increase your amount of lean muscle mass if you want to speed up metabolism. Focus on performing strength-training exercises in order to build your muscle. Pair these exercises with regular aerobics programs, which will help you to burn excess fat and calories.
Calorie Count is a useful tool for calorie intake calculation and diet planning. Calories do count and it's also important how efficiently your body burns them. Calorie Count also contains a diet planner with professional advice on food combining, detox, suggested daily calorie intake for men and women, calorie intake from beverages consumed, as well as some useful guidelines for speeding up the metabolism and making the most of it. People make the mistake of thinking they have to make drastic changes to lose weight and get in shape, but the secret is to make small changes and incorporate them into their lives permanently.
