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Most of us have at least one friend or acquaintance who can stuff his/her mouth with all those delicious calorific foods items like cakes and burgers without putting on a single pound and when asked they often attribute their inability to gain weight on their metabolism. So, have you ever wondered what metabolism is and how it impacts your ability to gain or lose weight? If you have pondered over this question before and are mulling over the veracity of the ‘increase your metabolism and decrease your weight claims’ here is a look at some startling facts.

What is metabolism?

Metabolism is the process that the body used to turn calories into the energy that’s need for both physiological and non physiological functions.

Energy metabolism is the chemical process by which calories from the food we consume are converted into energy. This energy is then used for different bodily functions. This energy is constantly being used by the body to keep it functioning even when we’re at rest, allowing us to breathe, repair cellular damage, produce and distribute hormones, and pump blood through the body.

The metabolic rate can be defined as the number of calories needed to keep the body functioning even when at rest; this is known as the base metabolic rate and it can be calculated by multiplying your weight by 10, so if you weigh 120 lbs you base metabolic rate will be 1200 calories. This means that any food consumption that gives you more than 1200 calories a day will lead to weight gain regardless of the type of food item.

Can you lose weight faster if you increase metabolism?

While the metabolic process is completely natural, and its fine tuned to meet the energy needs of different physiological systems, there are some factors that impact the metabolic rate including nutrients consumed, physical activity, gender, and age.

Individuals that have a high metabolic rate burn calories faster than individuals with slower metabolism. If two people were tested, one with a high metabolism and the other with a slow metabolism, the results would show that the person with a slow metabolism will burn calories slower than the individual with a high metabolic rate.

Is it really possible to change or increase your metabolism?

The answer is yes. It is possible to increase your metabolism, which will have a direct impact on weight loss efforts. One of the factors that affect your metabolic rate is aging. As a person grows older, many will find that it’s getting harder and harder to lose weight. This can be directly attributed to a metabolic rate that’s decreasing. However, there are some simple steps that anyone can take to increase metabolism and prevent obesity. Aerobic and strength training exercise can help you increase your metabolism.

Because strength training and aerobics help you to build muscle tissue, they help to increase your metabolism as muscles use more calories than fatty cells for their repair. Certain food items and supplements are also known to increase your metabolic rate, decreasing your weight in the process.

Is increasing your metabolism all you have to do to lose weight?

While a higher metabolic rate can help you lose weight faster and reach your weight loss goals, you cannot just increase metabolism to control your weight. No matter how fast your metabolism is, you won’t lose weight if you are indulging in foods that are loaded with sugar, carbohydrates, and fat.

Keep in mind that any calories above the amount needed by the body will be turned into fat and stored in the cells. If you consume calories that aren’t used by the body, you will either add unwanted inches to your waistline or have to find a way to burn these calories. For this reason, its very important to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise when you want to lose weight.

It’s a good idea to discuss your individual needs with a dietitian and do your best not to eat more than the base calories that your body needs. This doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself or stick to strict diet regimen. In fact, doing so will likely have an adverse impact on the natural metabolic rate. The best option when trying to increase metabolism is to eat a balanced diet that includes every nutritional group.

Learn more about increasing your metabolism. Stop by Michael Gale’s site where you can learn how you can easily increase your metabolism and what the 101 tips can easily do for you.

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