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Metabolism...The Fat Burning Secret Hidden in All of Us!
Speed up your metabolism
and you will burn more calories faster, and keep them burning longer. Is
this really possible...in a word YES!
Metabolism – 7 Success Strategies to Boost Metabolic Rate and Burn More
Fat
By Claire
Raikes
Ever heard this statement, "Oh I can’t lose weight, I have a slow
metabolism."? Or "She’s so slim, she must have a fast metabolism."? When
it comes to weight loss, the word ‘metabolism’ comes up a lot, but few
understand exactly what it is, how it works and how a thorough
understanding of the metabolism can help us lose weight.
Let’s start, in lay-terms, with what the metabolism actually is…
Our metabolism (or metabolic rate) is the rate or speed at which the body
burns, or "turns" food into energy (i.e. carbohydrate, fat or protein). It
ALSO describes how the body uses fat or protein to make protein, necessary
to maintain our lean tissue. Hormones control these intricate processes,
particularly the part that determines how much lean muscle we make and
most importantly keep!
Confused? You needn’t be – just take on board that your metabolism is
simply the efficiency at which your body can use food . Its “efficiency”
can also be improved upon.
So can we change the rate at which we burn food? Is it under our control?
Well, the short and loud answer to that is YES! Sure, we are all
different, but the key is to work WITH your metabolic rate, and not
against it. By the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll know
how to “rev up”, work with, and keep your metabolism gently ticking over
in a higher gear.
Keep the home fire burning!
In YeartoSlim, our virtual weight loss program, we say: Think of your
metabolic rate as a fire or flame. It may help to think of this deep in
your belly! Ideally, you need that flame flickering gently all day. Now,
if a fire is left unattended, and not refuelled, it will go out.
It’s the same with eating. Going for hours with no food means your
metabolism (or flame) slows right down. When you do finally eat, not only
do you run the risk of overeating because you are over hungry, but food is
not used or burned as efficiently – rather like trying to re-start a fire
by putting coal on it, but with no flame! In the case of your body, more
food or calories are likely to be stored – as fat!
So, the first thing to remember about “revving” up your metabolism is to
aim to eat every 3 hours or so, and feed, feed, feed the metabolism! This
way you will burn MORE energy (i.e. calories)than your body has been used
to, and help you on your way to successful weight loss.
Simple steps to a faster metabolism
Let’s look at the typical eating strategies from 2 different "sports"; a
'lean' athlete eats regularly to stay lean eg. 5 small balanced meals a
day; he knows that’s the best way to burn body fat. A Sumo wrestler on the
other hand, eats one huge meal at the end of the day to PUT ON lots of
fat. He knows his metabolic rate is at its slowest, and much of the excess
he eats will be stored as fat.
So… do you want to look like a lean athlete or a sumo wrestler? Work with
your body – not against it.
Follow our 7 Success Strategies to Boost your Metabolism and help you burn
more body fat.
1. Think like a lean athlete not a sumo wrestler.
2. Aim to eat around every 3 hours or so.
3. Avoid LARGE meals – full stop!
4. Always balance the amount of carbohydrate with protein in your meal –
aim for a 1:1 ratio.
5. Avoid carbohydrate-only meals to balance your blood sugar levels
effectively.
6. Try exercising before breakfast and take your metabolism to a higher
gear for the rest of the day. This could be a 20 minute walk, a home
exercise circuit or a swim.
7. Find time in the week (preferably 3 regular slots) to do some
resistance training that challenges individual muscles. Examples are
weight training, circuit training, Pilates or using a body ball. You will
build and keep lean "metabolically active" muscle tissue, helping you to
burn more calories while you are sitting here reading this!
_________________________________________________________________________
Lucy-Ann Prideaux MSc BSc RNutr and Claire Raikes are co-founders of
YeartoSlim, a natural weight-loss eProgram which denounces diets,
calorie-counting and ‘weigh-ins’ in favour of sound nutritional education,
inspiration and motivation. Sign up now for the FR’EE MINI COURSE at
http://www.YeartoSlim.com.
"Finally, the first step-by-step roadmap to weight loss success.
Guaranteed to get you off the dieting 'merry-go-round'!"
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claire_Raikes
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