This is a blog that many people can relate to. Here we will give you all the latest weight loss solutions as well as health tips, diet tips, and the real facts on how to lose weight the healthy way.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Myths and Facts About Metabolism
Myth #1: Slow metabolism can be blamed for weight gain.
It’s easy to see how this myth got started. Start with a fact—the more lean muscle you have, the more calories you burn. In other words, the less lean muscle you have (and the more fat), the slower your metabolism. Twist this around, and it’s very convenient to blame weight gain on slow metabolism. The truth, however, is that slow metabolism, meaning a person burns fewer calories than they should, is very rare. Most people who are overweight got that way by eating too many calories and not exercising enough.
Myth #2: It’s okay to drink coffee, eat a lot of sugar, and smoke cigarettes in the quest to boost your metabolism.
The truth is, the stimulants found in coffee and nicotine will increase your metabolism slightly, but the tradeoffs are significant: smoking is very unhealthy, as is drinking too much coffee. It’s far better to choose healthier choices for boosting metabolism, such as green tea or spicy foods, or simply offset the effects of slowing metabolism by eating less and exercising more. And here’s the truth about eating large quantities of sugar - it can cause your metabolism to switch to fat storage mode.
Fact #1: Exercise increases your metabolism, and the effects can last for several hours.
There is no question about it—the amount of muscle you have is directly related to how well you metabolize your food and how well you burn calories. Exercises that build lean muscle, such as strength training with dumbbells, will help in this area, as will cardiovascular exercises that reduce body fat, such as running, biking, or cross-country skiing.
And there are two other benefits to exercise. First, it boosts your metabolism and keeps it elevated for several hours after your workout. Second, it reduces stress, which can help reduce levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, which has been shown to slow metabolism.
Fact #2: Make sure you eat enough food and drink enough water.
Believe it or not, not eating at all actually causes your metabolism to slow down. This is because your body goes into what nutritionists call “starvation mode,” causing your metabolism to slow down in order to preserve energy. Instead, eat small, nutritionally balanced meals every three to four hours; this can keep your metabolism humming at a steady clip. And be sure to drink enough water in order to help your body flush away toxins and byproducts.
Posted by HoodiaPharm HungerAway ::
6:28 AM ::
0 comments
