It is funny how women have low metabolisms, and desperately crave higher, while men who do not seem to bother about their metabolisms usually have high ones. It is indeed a man’s world! High metabolism ultimately translates into good health and therefore weight loss. Some have called metabolism boosting the holy grail of weight watchers.
Truly so, high metabolic rate means you burn calories faster. Naturally, metabolism or BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is dependent on the interplay of three elements: genetics, age and, you guessed it, gender. Sadly, they are all out of our control and also almost irreversible.
While some people inherit a speedy metabolism, others cannot seem to rev theirs up. Men tend to burn more calories than women, even while resting. Metabolism steadily slows down as we grow older. More so in women than in men. Women’s metabolism start to slow down as early as puberty. In men, metabolism slowing start several years after puberty. Some men have shown steady metabolisms up to age 40.
Since age, gender or genetics cannot be controlled, are there ways to rev up this elusive metabolic rate? Oooh yes! Here are a few:
Build Muscle.
Muscles burn more calories than fat. On average, a pound of muscle burns up to six calories daily. For fat the number is only two. It goes without saying that the BMR is higher for people with more muscles. That is why strength training comes highly recommended for weight loss.
Plus, when muscles are activated after a workout session, especially in the morning, the average daily metabolic rate is increased. Translation: more calories and stored fat are burned. Spirulina, a blue-green algae chock full of minerals, amino acids and Vitamin B 12 is excellent for maintaining muscle mass.
Aerobics.
Getting the heart rate up during workouts is a good way to rev up the metabolic rate. Aerobic exercise may increase your calorie burner for hours after a session! The rule is: The higher the intensity of the exercise, the longer the increase in resting metabolic rate. So next time you go to the gym, try not to turn down that intense spin instructor’s class! You can do that five-mile walk another day! The herbal combination, MetaboMax EF may help boost metabolism as well as increase energy levels.
Did U Know
A 190 pound woman would need 75 minutes of speed-walking to burn off all the calories in a 16oz white chocolate frapuccino latte?
Go for H2O.
The more water you drink the more your metabolic rate is maintained. The body uses water to process calories. Dehydration, even in its slightest form, may slow down metabolism. Simply put, the body is 75% water, if it is not getting enough, it stores up what it has (i.e. if dehydration is ignored), and then starts to conserve energy to ensure sustenance. Therefore, it slows down metabolism to its barest minimum.
To stay adequately hydrated, drink half ounce of water per pound of body weight, everyday. The key is to sip your water all day long. Recovery Drink Mix is one blend of herbs and minerals that helps keep the body hydrated and replaces certain nutrients that are used or perspired away during exercise. Snacking on fruits with lots of juices and fluids, such as water melons, is another way to up the ante in hydration. Put the pretzels and chips down!
In addition, drinking water cold raises the bar in metabolic increase. Research has shown calorie burn of up to 100 calories per day from drinking ice cold water all day long. The reason is that the body burns more calories warming the ice cold water up to the body’s temperature. Plus, cold water is known to absorb into the body quicker than room temperature water.
Eat all day.
Eating all day long can help maintain metabolic rate. When large meals are consumed many hours apart, the body learns to slow down the metabolism between the meals. Eating several small meals three to four hours apart, like the Bushmen do, keeps the metabolism high. Plus, you tend to eat less at meal times when you snack about every three hours. Nutri-Burn drink is a blend of herbs and minerals that may ensure you are getting all the nutrients needed.
Never skip breakfast. In the morning your body has been fasting all night long. Skipping breafast means your body continues to fast, and when you eat at noon it stores up the food because it is not sure when next more food is coming in. Breakfast sets your metabolism for the day, and so you can start burning calories from breakfast time. Any fruit such as an apple or a few strawberries can serve as breakfast. Fruit smoothies also make a good breakfast substitute.
How you break-fast is also important. Eating good fats, such as avocadoes and peanut butter, sets your body on a fat-burning mode for the rest of the day. Complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains help maintain blood sugar levels and avoid the sugar crash that plagues many weight watchers.
Add more spice to your life.
Spices and herbs have metabolism cranking abilities. Cayenne pepper, green chili pepper, turmeric, and curries all have chemical compounds that rev up the metabolism. One tablespoon of cayenne, red or green chili pepper have the potential to increase metabolic rate by up to 23 percent for about half an hour. Regular consumption would ensure more significant benefits. Cayenne pepper can be supplemented if you can’t handle the heat.
Can you say “Mo’ protein”?
More calories are burned in digesting proteins compared to fats and carbohydrates. More protein consumed at mealtimes means heightened metabolic rate. Opt for more protein variety at mealtimes such as chicken and beef, fish, tofu, nuts, beans, and eggs. Ensure you are getting enough protein with Everybody’s Formula: a high-protein food drink made from soy. Spirulina or Synerprotein, an herbal blend of concentrated cruciferous vegetables with nine amino acids are good protein supplements.
Go for green!
Green tea, that is. Green tea is a regular for weight watchers because it helps control appetite and also high in antioxidants. Green tea also has the ability to raise metabolic rate for up to two hours. Research suggests drinking two to four cups alone enables the body burn up to 50 calories per day. Green Tea Extract is an easy way to get the benefits of Green Tea if you are always on the go. So, let the calorie burning begin!