Increase Your Metabolism: How To Get Your Metabolism Moving

By Paige Greenfield

Here's something to feel good about: Your body is a calorie-burning machine. You'll even torch a few while reading this article. The point is, every single thing you do -- from breathing to eating to sleeping -- uses energy. The number of calories it would take just to lie in bed all day is called your resting metabolic rate. And just like your curly hair or warm personality, yours is unique.

"There are so many factors that determine your metabolic rate," says Janet Rankin, Ph.D., professor of human nutrition, foods and exercise at Virginia Tech. Among them: your height and weight (bigger people burn more calories), your gender (women have slower metabolisms than men), your age (your metabolic rate declines as you get older), how much muscle or fat you have (muscle burns more calories than fat does) and your DNA.

Although you can't rewire your double helix or switch back the clock, there's still plenty you can do to be a fast burner, Rankin says. All you need to do is remember these four research-backed truths.

Comments

[Nick Amiradaki]

08:58 AM on 06/13/2012

I recently performed a 45 day study on myself introducing a fasting window into my diet. With extremely positive results, I lost almost 8% Body Fat, 6 kgs (13.2 lbs) and increased in muscle mass. Seriously what more could you want from a weight loss program.

I've tried the 6 meals a day approach with no success. Reason being, even if you did "boost" your metabolism (which you don't) by eating more calories, you now have to burn the calories you just consumed to boost your metabolism. Think about it, you're stuck in an endless loop...

Fasting has been clinically proven to burn more fat & increase Growth Hormone which we all know helps build muscle. The more muscle, the more calories you burn. Its that simple. Here is a link to my personal study - http://www.primalsixpack.com/my-transformation/ complete with nutritional and weight program.

[kutcher balzov]

03:18 PM on 03/08/2012

This is what really helped me get my metabolism going again http://howtofixstuff.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-boost-metabolism.html

[thegscott]

11:56 AM on 01/04/2012

There's no proof that eating 6 meals a day boosts your metabolism. Why would you want to cram food every 3 hours when it takes longer than 3 hours to completely digest your food? Your body needs a break once and a while.

The only sure fire way to boost your metabolism is to exercise. Just eat the calorie requirement for the lean weight you would like to be and exercise...the lb's will come off with ease. Also doing 1 to 2 24 hour fasts a week will do wonders. Read 'Eat Stop Eat' by Brad Pilon or visit the Leangains site by Martin Berkhan. You can eat the foods you want without the worries of calorie counting or diets.

http://www.leangains.com

http://bradpilon.com/

[Threepointturn]

10:52 PM on 01/04/2012

Sorry, but that's the worst advice ever seen in print. You are not supposed to eat 6 "meals" a day. And, it doesn't mean you are going to exercise all day either. 1 to 2 24 hour fasts a week?
Your ideas are on a short bus to crazytown along with your links.

[NevaforLeadership]

09:43 AM on 01/02/2012

It's a circle. Base metabolic rate includes muscle function, even when not exercising. The more muscle, the higher the rate. The less we exercise as we age, the less the muscle.

There you have it.

Stop using metabolic rate as an excuse. Watched a documentary once: two friends, similar life styles, one heavier than the other -- attributed to metabolic rate. Then the researchers came in. Had nothing to do with the metabolic rate. Was all about the heavier friend actually eating more.

[peachfuzz]

10:32 AM on 01/02/2012

Most people do not have a good idea about portion sizes, it's easy to overeat. There is also "comfort eating" -- I have adopted the phrase "food is not my friend" to help counteract emotional dependence on food for a temporary numbing that causes long-term anguish. And yes, we lose muscle. I was appalled to find out that we lose 22% of our butt muscles, causing much back pain in the population.

[susanbsbi]

12:37 PM on 01/01/2012

There is nothing new in this article, that hasn't been out there for at lease 20 years. I do 90% of what they discussed and really it doesn't work. My doctor told to eat 6 small meals a day and that keep the stomach full and working, and that burns off calories.

[NevaforLeadership]

09:54 AM on 01/02/2012

You have to remember that doctors take almost zero nutrition at medical school.

Dietitians (deficient in endocrinology) love that expression, "calories in, calories out." The truth is that hormones, particularly insulin, play a huge role in the problem women have losing weight as they age.

The best way to lose weight is to cut out high-density carbohydrates and added sugar: bread of any kind, muffins and other baked goods, pasta, rice, potatoes, sugar snacks, fruit drinks, even fruit juices, easy on very sugary fruits, such as bananas.

You will not believe how quickly the weight comes off, and how much better you feel within just days.

Once the weight is off: lean protein, fruits and vegetables, with whole grain breads only once in a very little while. I personally believe bread (especially wheat based bread) is not good for anyone anytime.

Not to forget exercise -- every day if possible.

[dieselfriedchicken]

09:36 PM on 01/02/2012

Excellent post!