|
Having control over your metabolism would be a key factor in losing weight, and if anyone could unlock that key they would probably be the most popular person in the world. Unfortunately it is not that easy. Most people who are young take an increased metabolic rate for granted, but as we age we wonder where it suddenly went. Factors that affect a person’s metabolism are amount of muscle tissue, genetics, stress levels, personal diet and activity levels. Things that will lower metabolism are muscle loss and less physical activity that naturally comes as we age. So we do have some idea how to control our metabolic rate, and we stress exercise and diet all the time on our website. But it does become harder as we age. So here are several ways in which we can fire up our metabolism: 1. Build lean muscle. The amount of lean muscle a person has will determine the ability to burn calories. Building lean muscle will be invaluable to keeping your metabolism at an elevated level, and that means strength training plus a diet that is protein based. 2. Sleep more. Studies have shown that lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain. Trouble is, as we age sleep becomes more difficult to achieve. Exercise, and especially cardio exercise, has shown to help sleep in a major way, in addition to having sensible diet patterns. 3. Increase your water intake. Stress is caused on the system when there is a lack of water. Most bodily functions involve water, and dehydration can cause the body’s systems to decrease their speed, dropping metabolism. Plus water is an excellent flush of toxins and waste from the system. 4. Eat breakfast. If breakfast is omitted, the metabolism will slow to compensate for the lack of fuel that breakfast provides. The energy from a proper breakfast that gives the body its wake-up call is vital for boosting the body’s metabolism right out of the gate. 5. Eat smaller meal. It has been established that four to six smaller meals spaced at shorter intervals keep the body’s metabolism at its peak. Observe the way thin teenagers eat: they seem to always be eating, but never very much at a time. 6. Don’t stress out. Stress releases the steroid cortisol, which decreases metabolism. Also, most people tend to eat for eating sake when they are stressed. 7. Avoid sugar. A goal of any diet is to sustain an even level of blood sugar. Insulin spikes will cause the body to store fat, and sugar is a major contributor to insulin spikes. 8. Eat spicy foods. Studies have shown that spicy foods actually increase metabolic rate. 9. Drink plenty of green tea. Green tea is another food that has the ability to stimulate metabolism. 10. Eat energy foods. Fruits and vegetables are considered energy foods, and should be a major part of every diet. So it is not impossible to elevate your metabolism, but as you get older it becomes a whole lot more challenging. Diet and exercise on a regular and prolonged basis will provide what we are all looking for, as long as we have the motivation to see it through. As we age, to build lean muscle will be key to boosting our metabolism. Another factor in good health and aging well is water. We will answer the question on our website how does Water Help You Lose Weight. Jim O'Connell is a writer and health enthusiast living in London.
Related Articles -
metabolism, exercise, health,
| 
