Would you like to have a supercharged metabolism that melted fat like ice in a sauna?  Follow the tips below to supercharge your metabolism and accelerate your fat loss.

The term “metabolism” refers to the sum total of all activities that keep our bodies functioning.  Definition: the sum of the physical and chemical processes in an organism by which its material substance is produced, maintained, and destroyed, and by which energy is made available, compare anabolism, catabolism.

Your metabolic system is highly complex and actually has many sub-systems operating within it.  To keep it simple, let’s discuss your metabolic system relative to energy expenditure, or more simply “calories burned”.  After all, for weight loss, the amount of energy you use, dictates the number of calories you burn. The type of activity will determine the fuel source for your energy; if you are going to burning a higher percentage of fat or sugar.

If you want to maximize your weight loss safely, make a few of these suggestions a part of your daily routine.

Eat Thermogenic Foods

The foods you eat can have a major impact on raising or lowering your metabolism.  Some foods have a thermogenic effect. This means it takes more energy for your body to digest and metabolism the food than the amount of energy the food actually provides in the way of caloric energy. For example there are approximately 30 calories in 1 cup of raw broccoli. It takes more than 30 calories for your body to digest and metabolize the 1 cup of broccoli. Many vegetables are thermogenic.

Thermogenic foods list

• Cayenne Pepper
• Salsa
• Hot Peppers
• Hot Peppers
• Ice Water
• Green Tea (Iced or Hot)
• Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Brussel Sprouts
• Broccoli and Cauliflower
• Lemon or Vinegar
• Vinaigrette Dressing
• Grapefruit
• Berries
• Fatty Fish
• Soup
• Oatmeal
• Pumpernickel Bread

Drink Adequate Water

You cannot turn fat into energy without adequate water intake. Aim for a minimum of ½ your weight in ounces of water. If you are exercising or sweat a lot you will need more. It is important to make sure you keep your electrolytes balanced if you are sweating or consuming a lot of water.

Eat Monounsaturated Fats

Studies show that people that eat nuts and seeds 5 days per week lost weight and keep it off.  Monounsaturated fats speed up the metabolism, are satiating and are very heart healthy. Most nuts and seeds contain about 60% monounsaturated fat. Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health found three times as many people trying to lose weight were able to stick to a Mediterranean-style moderate-fat weight loss diet that included nuts, peanuts and peanut butter versus the traditionally recommended low-fat diet. (International Journal of Obesity, Oct. 5, 2001). Avocados are also an excellent source of monounsaturated fats. Just remember to stay within your calorie budget. Nuts, seeds and avocados contain a lot of calories. 1 to 2 ounces of nut and seeds per day is a fine. having more may add to your waist line.

Have a Little Protein With each Meal or Snack

Protein provides a satisfying feeling and helps fuel the metabolic burn. It does not take much protein and the source of protein in not important. Organic eggs on a piece of whole grain toast is a good selection. Try peanut butter or almond butter on triscuits, apple slices or celery stalks. Add nuts to your oatmeal or cereal. For your salad add beans, nuts and seeds.

Your protein needs should be reflected as 10 to 15% of your total daily calories. If you have a 2000 calorie budget your protein intake should be between 50 grams and 75 grams of protein. 10% of 2000 calories is 200 calories, there are 4 calories per gram of protein. Divide the 200 calories by 4 and you have the grams of protein you need per day. This is of course an approximation. If you exercise really hard or are sick you may need more protein.

The Multiple Exercise Principle

I lost a lot of my weight following the multiple exercise principle.  When I began my journey, I walked multiple times per day. It started as twice per day and worked up to 3 to 4 times per day. I did it initially in 10 minute blocks. As my fitness improved I extended it to 15 minute walks.  Now, 4 years later, I exercise hard twice per day 6 days per week. 30 minutes per session. It involves cardio, interval training and strength training. Do not over exercise. Over exercising can lower your immune system and cause other adverse health problems. I highly suggest you consult with a certified personal trainer and nutritionist to maximize your weight loss safely.

The reason for multiple exercise sessions is that it will keep your metabolism revved up for a much greater period of time.  Muscles require a lot of calories to create energy. Additionally the body burns more calories replenishing glycogen (stored sugar), creating more enzymes, building and repairing muscles and creating other necessary compounds. Exercise also creates metabolic heat and the body spends calories working to keep your core cooler.  When you get too warm the body dilates blood vessels pushing blood flow to your skin releasing fluid through the  sweat glands to cool your body.  A higher metabolism burns more calories and more fat. For example, 1- 40 minute walk or exercise session will keep your metabolism boosted for approximately 7 hours, whereas 4- 10 minute walks will keep your metabolism boosted for 11 hours. Exercise does not have to be hard to facilitate fat loss. As you build your level of fitness you should increase your level of intensity and duration. This will further increase fitness and fat loss.

Staying Cool ( bet you didn’t think of this one!)

Keeping your body cooler requires your body to burn more energy to stay warm, thus increasing your metabolism. When your body experiences temperatures so cold your that your metabolism can’t keep your core warm enough, it induces involuntary muscle tremors or “shivering. The shivering burns more energy producing metabolic heat to warm the body’s core.   I am not suggesting you expose yourself to extreme cold. I am suggesting you keep your environment a little cooler. We keep our thermostat set at 65 in the winter.  If you are elderly or ill stay warm.

Get Adequate Sleep

You need 7 to 8 hours of good sleep per night. A lack of sleep will cause your body to produce more of the stress hormones that build fat around the abdomen.

Practice Stress Relief Strategies

Stress is not only a major cause of many adverse health conditions but also excessive weight gain. It will cause you to build fat around your waist and hips. It will also make weight loss next to impossible.

Eat Enough Calories for Your Body’s Metabolic Needs

If you drop below 1200 calories per day your body is thinking it is starving and will want to turn everything you eat into fat. In addition it is going to drastically lower your metabolism making fat burning next to impossible.  Use this calorie calculator to determine how many calories per day you should consume to maintain your current weight. Eat 500 calories less per day and you will loss 1 pound per week. You can eat less and exercise more to achieve the 500 calorie per day deficit.

Eat Breakfast

If you don’t eat breakfast, you slow down your metabolism and send the body into “hoard mode,” thinking it’s starving because you’re going a long period of time without food.

Eat 6 Times per Day

Eating smaller meals and snacks more often keep the metabolic furnace stoked. It also helps to keep your blood sugar balanced eliminating cravings and fatigue. Your body needs fuel and nutrients every 2 to 3 hours in small amounts.

Supplement Your Diet with High Quality Nutrition

Certainly as a nutritionist I eat very healthy. I still need additional nutrition. Everyone does. I do not care how healthy you eat; you need to fortify your diet with extra nutrition.  A one a day pill is not going to cut it, they are a waist of your money. They consist primarily of synthetic or isolated nutrients and are not absorbed very well in our bodies.

I want you to have the success I have had! These suggestions work and should become the norm and not the exception if you really want to lose weight.  I did it and you can too!!

Healthy Wishes

Wally Bishop C.N.C.

WebND

The contents of this blog is not and should not be  considered medical advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.

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