Metabolism and Fat
Did you know that simply boosting your metabolism can make you lose weight? Those people who seem to be able to eat anything can usually do so because they have a high metabolism. Some people are simply born with it, but anyone can actually force their own metabolism into higher gear, and start burning fat from their bodies at a much faster rate.
People with high metabolisms can burn more calories no matter what they're doing. Sleeping, eating, watching tv, or otherwise: they're burning more fat and calories just because their metabolism is high. Someone with a lower metabolism will have to put more effort into burning the same amount of fat and calories, simply because their body is using its fuel less effeciently.
If you're not sure what metabolism actually is, here's an easy definition: metabolism is the amount of energy your body uses to maintain itself. This maintenance includes processing, using, transporting, acquiring, and disposing of food and nutrients. So your body burns units of energy -- better known as calories -- to process the food you put into it.
Take note of some of these interesting words too, like "acquiring." This means your body actually uses energy when you eat and digest foods. Some foods take more energy to eat and digest, so they'll use more energy. "Using" is another interesting bodily process to think about. If your body has to work hard to get nutrients out of food you eat, it will use more energy in the process.
That's why you're always encouraged to eat things high in fiber for instance. If you've ever had a real piece of high fiber bread, you probably noticed you have to chew it more before you can swallow it. In fact, just pulling a piece off the loaf takes more effort than tearing off a piece of simple white bread. Since the high fiber bread is more complex, it takes more effort to chew, and it takes your body more effort and energy to break it down and put it to use.
In the same way, it takes more work to eat a steak -- no matter how tender it might be -- than it does to eat a piece of cake. And it takes more work to eat raw brocolli than cooked.
In fact, in some cases, you can actually use more energy -- or calories -- digesting and using certain foods than you get from the foods to begin with. In other words, you're using more calories than you're eating.
Now there are many ways to increase your metabolism. The one you hear about most is exercise. Muscles burn more calories than fat does, so simply strengthening and toning your muscles can help you increase your metabolism.
You can also increase metabolism by changing how you eat. Note some of the examples I gave above, then try to pick foods to eat that will take a little more effort and work for your body to process. These simple changes in your day to day life can make a world of difference with increasing your metabolism, and that will help you start burning the extra fat off in no time.
Editor's Note: Unfortunately, many diets and workout programs can damage your metabolism. One of the safest and best routines that work with your metabolism is Tom Venuto's Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle.
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