If you want to burn calories quicker through the day, you need to have a faster rate of metabolism. Here's how to increase it.
You must have heard people say, "I have a tendency to put on weight." A person who puts on weight easily generally has a slow rate of metabolism, while those who don't put on weight as easily, have faster rates of metabolism.
Metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories in order to provide you with energy. Everyone's body burns calories 24 hours a day. Even when you sleep, you burn calories - but very few calories.
If you want to burn calories quicker through the day, you need to have a faster rate of metabolism.
So what are the factors affecting metabolism rates? People often believe that age has a great impact on metabolism, and you will hear people often say "As soon as I turned thirty, my metabolism really slowed down." This may be true, but age has little to nothing to do with it.
The biggest factor effecting metabolism is muscle tissue. Simply put, the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn in minute, regardless of your age or any other factor. So if you want to increase your metabolism rate, go in for weight training. Remember that once your muscles are strengthened and toned, you will burn additional fat even when sleeping! Can you ask for more?
Eat frequently
Skipping meals is possibly one of the worst ways to lose weight. Your body's rate of metabolism will slow down drastically to conserve energy, and you will burn very, very few calories. Similarly, if you eat three large meals a day and nothing in between, you are likely to have a slower metabolism rate than someone who eats seven small meals through the day. Consume the same amount of food as you would normally, just eat more often during the day. The longer you go between meals, the slower your body burns calories.
Always balance your eating to your activity level. Your body stores fat only when you eat more than you require. On days you don't work out as much, consume less food. Remember, even low-fat food can be stored as fat, since it is excess food. So if you don't work out at all a particular day, eat a little less, while if you work out, eat more.
Routine yourself
If you wake up late and have breakfast when it is almost lunchtime, you have virtually skipped a meal and your body's metabolic rate would have slowed down drastically. On the other hand, if you had woken up on time, you wouldn't have stayed hungry for so long and your body will start burning fat faster the minute you wake up.
Drink more water
Your body needs enough water in order to perform all its functions at peak efficiency levels. Not having enough water causes all functions, including metabolism rate, to slow down. Your body also goes through needless stress.
Change your workout
Remember to keep changing your workout. Walking or jogging on the treadmill at a constant rate for the same time three times a week will definitely help strengthen your heart, but you need more to burn fat. Make changes in your jogging routine. Jog faster for less time one day, alternate between running and walking another day, and keep increasing and reducing the incline yet another day. Try out different interval trainings on the treadmill.
