Ever wondered why your best
friend doesn’t seem to gain an inch of fat despite chowing down that
pint of Haagen Daaz while you seem to double in size even with just a
spoonful? Blame it on your metabolism, the process that helps you burn
off calories. Because of genetics, some women have higher metabolism,
which allows them to burn fat faster. Not only that, a high metabolism
gives you more energy to get through the day.
If you are planning on losing weight, a fast metabolism means more
calories burned. More calories burnt means the easier it is for you to
drop the weight. But just like everything else, as you age, your
metabolism slows down, which is the reason why you’re bountiful of
energy in your early 20s but can’t seem to keep up in your 30s. Not only
that, age, weight, diet and exercise habit can play a role in your
metabolism too. Here are some ways you can revive and speed up your
metabolism.(Courtesy of SC Chua for Yahoo Southeast Asia)
Don’t cut calories. The lower the
calories, the less strenuous on your metabolism, right? Wrong. In fact,
putting yourself on a very low-calorie diet (or any extreme diet at
all) will work against your metabolism as this can slow down your
metabolic rate and your body will try to conserve energy instead of
using it. The way to go? Practice eating a healthy and consistent diet
whereby you are getting the recommended calorie intake. What is that
number? Depending on your level of activity, multiply your weight (in
pounds) by 11. With this recommended daily calorie intake, you can also
safely lose up to 1 kg a week.
Be active. When you’re active,
you can raise your metabolic rate. A few ways to do this: Opt to take
the stairs instead of elevators; hit the gym at least three times a week
30 minutes each time, park a little further in the shopping mall so you
will be required to walk a little longer, and if you have a furry
friend, take it out for more walks!
Eat breakfast. As far as metabolism and weight loss is concerned,
eating breakfast is key. People who eat breakfast actually lose more
weight than those who choose to skip it! Because your metabolism slows
down when you sleep, it doesn’t go back up again until you start eating.
So if you skip the first meal, your body will only start burning more
calories when you eat lunch.
What you eat is also important; a bowl of oats will do your metabolism a
whole lot better than a plate of tapsilog. High-fiber carbs (like oats)
take longer for your body to digest and absorb so you stay fuller for
most of the morning instead of munching before lunchtime.
Pile on the proteins.Research shows that protein boosts your metabolism,
causing you to burn an extra 150 to 200 calories a day! When this
happens, your body actually works harder, causing you to burn more
calories. Fish and chicken breast meat are awesome proteins.
Go for spicy. Fiery food like
chilli and peppers can also speed up your metabolism as well. A study
showed that eating one tablespoon of chopped red chillies actually
boosts your body’s production of heat, causing you to experience a
temporary metabolism spike of about 23 percent!
Exercise The right way.If you
are on the treadmill, rev up your workup by alternating between
sprinting and running at an easy pace. Adding this variety makes your
workout more effective, increasing your metabolism. Or incorporate
strength or resistance training at least two or three times a week. This
can help you put on much needed muscles to get toned and to have a
positive impact on your metabolism.
