Why Speeding Up Your Metabolism Helps You Burn Fat

Increase Your Metabolic Rate For Weight Loss Success

One of the side effects of carrying excess body fat is lethargy and the lowering of your metabolic rate. The weight of the fat you carry around increases the effort required to move and all forms of exercise become increasingly difficult. Once you become clinically obese (BMI over 30) just getting to your feet from a sitting position becomes difficult. The lack of mobility slows your metabolic rate still further, reducing your ability to burn off the calories you consume and your weight begins to spiral out of control.

The speed of your basic metabolic rate (the speed at which you burn calories while resting) can vary according to such factors as weight, current level of fitness, muscle mass and even your genetics. A slow metabolism  leads to feeling sluggish and lacking energy, making it harder to lose weight. By speeding up your metabolism you can begin to reverse the downhill slide into morbid obesity and all the life threatening issues that brings.

How to Speed Up Your Metabolism

As part of your lifestyle change it is necessary to increase your daily activity levels through gentle exercise to speed up your metabolism and in turn burn off more fat. Start gently as your body is already under strain, but persevere.

Physical activity accounts for 20 to 40 percent of the calories you burn daily. Depending on your current health, you should consider selecting one or more of the following activities.

• Walking the dog a little further than normal.
• Getting out of the elevator two floors down and taking the stairs.
• Chopping wood for the stove or tidying the yard.
• Cleaning the house.
• Playing games with your children or grandchildren.

If your fitness level is a little higher, try cycling, rowing or other forms of gym work, but remember to stick to aerobic levels of exercise until you see some weight loss. Your heart rate is a great indicator and should be monitored if possible during exercise. Try to do a little extra every day and build up your activity levels gradually. Your ultimate aim should be to exercise for 30 – 60 minutes daily.

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