Metabolism: How can it help me lose weight?
Your metabolism is how you convert calories into energy. It’s a chemical reaction that happens inside your body using oxygen to break down calories. Everyone’s metabolic rates vary– some people’s rates are slower than others.
You gain weight when your calorie intake is more than its expenditure. So, to lose weight, you must burn more calories than you consume. If you can speed up your metabolism, you’ll burn more calories. This not only creates a calorie deficit in your body, but it also gives you more energy to exercise and be productive at work.
Drink Cold Water
Swapping out those sugary drinks for water will not only keep your calorie count low, but it can actually help boost your metabolism. It’s a temporary boost – it only lasts about an hour – but your body expends energy to heat up cold water. So take the 30-day challenge to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of cold water a day to get your metabolism up and running!
If you’re having trouble downing all that water, pick up a trendy water bottle. Sometimes that’s all you need to get motivated to drink more. If that doesn’t work, try adding a sugar free flavor to your water. Crystal light has many flavors to keep your taste buds happy😊
Protein Protein Protein
Eating protein not only fills you up to prevent you from overeating, but it also has an important metabolic effect. About 10 percent of the calories from each meal are saved to aid in digestion. Since your body digests protein more slowly than fat or carbs, that means it will use extra calories to help with digestion. You will expend more energy absorbing the nutrients from protein, keeping your metabolism high.
Any protein is beneficial in increasing your metabolism, but those high in omega-3 fatty acids are especially good. Try to eat lean proteins, like chicken and shrimp, alongside a healthy diet of grass-fed beef and fish. Fish, like salmon or tuna, will help regulate your metabolism by balancing your blood sugar and keeping inflammation in check. If you’re following a vegetarian diet you can focus on plant-based proteins. You can also supplement with protein powders—they come in all flavors and make-ups: whey, pea, soy, beef, collagen, hemp, and egg to name a few. Power Blendz makes a very high-quality whey protein isolate in chocolate and vanilla called Pro-Whey.
Building Muscle
Building muscle is the best way to speed up your metabolism. Muscle weighs more than fat, and it burns more energy too. Strength-training twice a week for at least 30 minutes can improve your resting metabolism by 100 calories a day! This also includes days you don’t work out; which means you’re working smarter, not harder.
You can build plenty of lean muscle without bulking up. A fit, strong, shapely body is healthier and more attractive than a thin, muscle-less one. Make strength training a way of life!
Stop in and get a P3 Body Scan so you can track your percent lean muscle, body fat, and other body composition measures.
Want to make this simpler?
If you'd like to stop stressing over the details and find a way to get control of your food choices while creating a healthier lifestyle, check us out at Power 3 Fitness Coaching. If you are local, stop in for a P3 BodyScan and find out what your body composition is made of.