Metabolism

Metabolism is the process of breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to yield the energy your body needs to maintain itself.
The rate of your metabolism depends on the interaction between the number of calories you consume, the number of calories you burn while eating and exercising, and the calories you burn based on your individual genetic makeup.


How to increase metabolism

To increase metabolism, always eat breakfast in the morning. Break-fast...break the fast. Don't skip breakfast. If you wait until mid morning or afternoon to eat, your metabolism will run slower. Think of breakfast as adding logs to the fireplace. Your metabolism is the fireplace and logs are the breakfast.

Increase metabolism by eating smaller meals through the day. Eat 4 to 6 six small meals, 2 to 3 hours apart.

Don't depend on herbal products to increase metabolism or energy level. Any metabolic increase will be minimum and herbs are not cheap. Instead, include more energy foods such as whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits.

Park further away and walk. Use the stairs instead of the elevator when possible. Walk to the post office instead of getting into the car. Take your dog on a daily walk. Do more activities around the house to burn energy instead of wasting money on pills and potions that don't work.

Incorporate a walking routine to increase metabolism at least three to four times a week. Walk 30 to 40 minutes each time. This is the best way to increase your metabolism.

Don't starve yourself when trying to lose weight. This will slow down your metabolism in a hurry. Avoid 5 to 6 hour gaps between meals without eating.

Be committed to eating smaller meals at regular intervals. Prepare food in advance and bring it with you. Never eat sporadically and plan each meal. The common mistake is to skip meals and eat too little during the day. This makes you vulnerable for eating junk food later in the day. Eating to lose weight takes planning.


How Age Changes Your Metabolism

It’s true; your metabolism does slow down with age, but keep reading -- the news isn’t all bad.

Starting at about age 25, the average person’s metabolism declines between 5% and 10% per decade.

The good news?

By eating more often, your metabolism will increase to match the calorie demand.

Foods you can eat through the day to increase metabolism are:

7 am ... Breakfast (bowl of whole grain cereal with fruit and coffee)
10 am .... turkey burger (no bread) with steam vegetables
12 pm ... sandwich with salad.
2 pm ... protein shake or energy bar
4 pm .... sliced cantaloupe or mix berries or low fat yogurt
6 pm ... sliced turkey or ham with grated lite cheese. 4 to 5 slices of deli turkey or ham
7 pm ... Dinner (lean meat with 2 veggies)