subject: 3 Practical Tips To Increase Your Metabolism [print this page] Weight loss is basically about regulating one's intake and use of calories. A calorie is a unit of heat by which the energy used by the body is measured. You need calories for energy. However, if you take in more than you need, then the result is weight gain. At the same time, drastically lowering your caloric intake will cause you to go into a feeding frenzy in effect sabotaging your weight loss efforts yourself.
Generally speaking a 1,200 calories a day diet is acceptable but to lose weight more effectively, it is necessary to get a more accurate calorie count that takes into consideration factors such as your age and activity level. According to studies, women lose significantly more weight when their caloric intake is less than the target count.
There are some dietitians who say that dieters need to adjust their caloric intake at various points in their diet programs. The reason for this is because the calorie count should be in balance with the changes in body weight, energy level and metabolism which for dieters in particular, are constantly shifting.
In trying to lose weight, focus on increasing your metabolic rate so that your body efficiently burns the calories you take in. Here are some tips on what you can do to keep your metabolism active:
1.Never skip breakfast. Many people think that they are sparing themselves a lot of calories by not eating breakfast but what they don't know is that they are actually setting themselves up to binge at the end of the day. Moreover, it is important to get your metabolism fired up in the morning so that your body would continue to effectively burn calories the rest of the day. If you don't feed yourself breakfast, you not only allow your metabolism to remain slow throughout the day but you yourself would feel sluggish.
2.Eat small frequent meals throughout the day. It keeps your metabolism active and effectively burning calories. A snack every two hours is beneficial. Of course be sure to choose foods that are high in fiber such as whole grain bread or fruits. This is not an excuse to eat sugary or salty treats. No chocolate bars or chips please. Eating mini-meals will also keep you from feeling deprived that often results in overeating at some point during the day. Keep your calorie count to 200-400 per snack though.
3.Plan out your meals, snacks included. This gives you a better idea of the amount of calories you will be consuming. When you do this, also take into consideration your activities for each day. Laid back Sunday afternoons require lesser calories, but workout days need more. Adjust your meals accordingly. Choose foods that are high in fiber. They are filling and they facilitate regularity in elimination which is not only beneficial to your overall health, but actually promotes weight loss.
These are the three main ways to boost your metabolism through dietary means. Regular exercise and increasing your lean muscle mass accomplish the same thing so you may want to do these as well. Incorporate these tips into your daily routine, and you will soon begin to feel a little lighter and your clothes fitting a little better.
