TigerChef

Why is it that some of us can eat to our hearts content and not gain any weight, while some of us gain some weight just by looking at food? The answer: metabolism. Metabolism converts calories into energy which our bodies use to perform daily tasks. However, a big chunk of it depends on how much energy you use. The more energy you use up, the more calories you burn. Just like fuel in a car- the more mileage you drive, the more fuel you use.

Although there are a few factors that take a toll on the metabolism, such as age, gender and yes of course, genes, there are some measures that you can take to boost your metabolism, burn more calories and shed some pounds.

1)      Weight lifting- a pound of muscle can burn up to 35 extra calories a day. When weight training, your muscle tissue gets stressed out. Later, as it de-stresses, it gets repaired which causes your metabolic rate to increase.

2)      Taking time to relax- stress slows your metabolism and causes you to store more fat in your abdomen. ‘Chill out!’

3)      Eating breakfast- taking in 300 to 400 calories in the morning, ideally high- fiber cereal, low-fat milk and fresh fruit, will rev a still sleepy metabolism.

4)      Smaller meals- having four or five small meals a day, instead of three big ones, helps burn more calories by keeping insulin levels steady.

5)      Drinking water- drinking eight, 8 oz.  glasses of cold water a day burns roughly 35,000 calories a year, which is enough to help you drop between 5 to 10 pounds.

6)      Fidgeting- even tiny movements such as pacing and crossing your legs, increases your fat-burning powers and burns some calories.

Every calorie counts. Some for the better and some for the worse. Stop blaming it all on your mom’s mom. Of course it’s always easiest to shift the blame, but remember that there is nothing she can do right now that will solve the issue at hand. Although she may have one foot in on your problem, don’t forget that you’re in two feet plus body. Get off the couch and get started.

Filed under: How-To • General

Tags: metabolism