Give your Metabolism a Tune-up
What is metabolism?
Metabolism is the process of combining nutrients with oxygen to release the energy our body needs to function. Metabolism is typically measured in kilocalories, or calories. Total metabolic rate represents the calories needed for maintaining body functions, plus the energy cost of daily activity and added exercise.
What is resting metabolic rate (RMR)?
Your resting metabolic rate is the number of calories it takes for your body to maintain vital body functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and brain function. It is the number of calories you would burn if you were awake but at rest all day. RMR is influenced by factors such as body mass, body composition, age, and gender.
Increasing Your Metabolism
Causes for low metabolism can include sustaining a low calorie diet, fasting, and/or a lack of physical activity. Simple ways to speed up your metabolism include:
-Exercise daily; include strength training to increase your muscle mass
-Do not skip meals
-Avoid alcohol and foods with high sugar content; choose foods with a high nutrition value
-Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily