Is it possible to fool your metabolism into burning fat? The answer is a resounding yes! Everyone knows that as people age their metabolism typically slows down. While most children don't have to worry about boosting their metabolism, adults continue to wage war with those added pounds that continue to sneak up on their bodies. Diet and exercise play a huge role in controlling weight gain, but you can also trick your body's metabolism into burning fat as well.
Understanding How to Fool Your Metabolism into Burning Fat
According to an article written by By Samantha Heller, M.S., R.D. and published in Health Magazine, most people's metabolic rate, which is defined as the energy your body uses when it is at rest, is typically based on genetics. Some people's bodies are just genetically geared to have a faster metabolic rate than others. That's certainly good news for some, but bad news for others.
Whether you want to lose weight or simply feel more energetic, eating healthy foods is the key. Choose foods and snacks like the following:
- Asparagus
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Eggs
- Fish
- Legumes
- Melons
- Nuts
- Oatmeal
- Spinach
- Whole-grain cereals
- Apples
- Bananas
- Baby carrots
- Hummus
- Low-fat cheddar cheese
- Peanut butter
- Trail mix
Serve apples or bananas with peanut butter or low-fat cheddar cheese for a delicious snack, or munch on hummus with whole-wheat crackers.
Jumpstart Your Day
Most people know how important water is to the body, but they may not realize that guzzling a large glass (or two) of icy cold water can boost metabolism as well. In addition to that tall glass of water, begin each day with a good breakfast. Again, choose healthy foods, such as whole-wheat toast and a tablespoon of peanut butter or fat-free yogurt with a handful of nuts or granola.
Follow a Catabolic Diet
Catabolic foods can help your body burn fat as well. Eating these foods means you actually use more energy to burn more calories than the actual calories you ingested! Catabolic foods are primarily fruits and vegetables, and some of the best foods for you to eat include the following:
- Apple
- Pineapple
- Orange
- Watermelon
- Lemons
- Limes
- Grapes
- Spinach
- Carrot
- Tomato
- Potato
- Broccoli
A word of caution: While these foods are certainly good for you, a balanced diet is extremely important to maintaining a healthy body. Be sure you still fulfill the nutritional guidelines published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Choose Exercises that Trick the Body
Exercise is good in just about any form, but there are exercise routines you can do that will fool your metabolism into burning more fat.
Interval training - Many people choose a particular form of exercise and stick with it. After a while, however, the body adjusts to that exercise and weight loss slows down. However, with interval training, you are tricking your metabolism into continuously burning more fat because your workout alternates short bursts of intense activity with slower, less intense activity. A popular new program that will have you up and moving at least three times a week is the Couch to 5K Running Plan. If you have an iTouch, iPhone, or Droid phone, you can download apps, like "Get Running" which gives voice prompts for what to do during the walk/jog routine.
Weightlifting - Another way to boost metabolism is by lifting weights. This isn't body building, but instead a way to boost your metabolism with strength or resistance training. Start out slowly with weights that provide resistance but aren't so heavy that you have to strain and push to lift them.
Don't Starve Yourself
Finally, don't starve your body. When you restrict calories from your diet, you are depriving your body of a necessary energy source. This can actually slow down your metabolism because the body is tricked into believing that it must store carbs and fat until more food is available. Instead, eat regular meals filled with healthy foods that will provide your body energy and boost its metabolism.
The phrase "You are what you eat" holds a lot of wisdom. Stop starving your body or filling it with empty calories from processed and sugar filled foods, and instead choose fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods that provide your body with the energy it needs to stay active and healthy. When you change the way you eat, your metabolism speeds up, and those pounds start to melt away!
