Speed Up Metabolism - How Metabolism Affects Our Weight

Do you need to jump start metabolism? Have you ever noticed how one person can eat everything in site and never gain an ounce, while others (maybe you?) spend half your life on all the latest diets? Or why you can start a diet at the same time as one of your friends and not lose nearly as much weight?

The answer of course is your metabolism. Every individual has a metabolic rate that is unique to them.

Our metabolic rate is the rate at which we burn calories or store them as fat, just to sustain life. We burn calories constantly - even while sleeping. Muscles burn calories even when we aren't doing anything physical, because of this muscles are said to be "metabolic reactive". One quick and easy way to jump start metabolism is to get more muscle.

Muscle burns calories, so you want more muscle. Diet plans often include an exercise requirement to build muscles.

What we eat and what we do determine our metabolic rate. Healthy foods jump start metabolism metabolism, while bad foods slow it down. There are other influencing factors, though, such as:

Age makes a difference - as we age, our metabolism tends to slow down.

Stress is also influential. More and more studies are linking obesity with stress on the job and in the home. Aside from our tendency to eat more when stressed, it's been discovered that stress actually interferes with some of the normal processes in the body which in turn slows our metabolism. Seems odd, but yoga or meditation could be a key to jump start metabolism!

Sleep is another factor. Sleep has actually been well researched in the role it plays in weight. Getting too much or too little sleep can mess up metabolism. To jump start metabolism, you need 7 to 9 hours of sleep, optimally.

Your genetic make-up plays a role in metabolism. Not only does it influence it in general, but health issues passed on through families can affect metabolism, too. You should always consult a doctor before trying to lose weight, for this reason. Before you jump start metabolism, get rid of any health issues that could hold you back.

Most diets include advice about drinking plenty water. Most diets say it is to make you feel full so you don't overeat. While that may be a good idea, it is not the entire story as to why water helps with weight loss. Water helps in weight loss because it hydrates the body, flushes out toxins and keeps excess water stored in the body to a minimum. All of this leads to a speedier metabolism and more weight loss.

Want to know more about how to jump start metabolism? Check out all the information about your metabolism and losing weight at my website. Also get my FREE mini-course Fast Weight Loss Tips!