12 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

By Caralee Adams; Reviewed by Hope S. Warshaw, R.D., CDE, BC-ADM, 2009

Want to rev up your body's natural calorie-burning engine? Boost your metabolism. For people trying to lose weight, a higher metabolism can help the pounds melt away even while at rest. Here's how to increase your metabolic rate.

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What Is Metabolism?

Metabolism is the energy (calories) your body needs to function, and it operates at a different rate for each person. Metabolic rate is determined by uncontrollable factors such as gender (men tend to have higher rates than women), heredity, and age (metabolism tends to slow down after age 40 due in part to hormonal changes), as well as controllable factors such as weight, activity level, and what and when you eat.

Here are some tips from nutrition, exercise, and medical experts to help you boost your metabolism and ditch a few extra pounds for good.

Note: "People living with diabetes should check their blood glucose levels frequently to make sure that they do not become hypoglycemic with the decrease in calorie intake and the increase in physical activity," recommends dietitian Toby Smithson, R.D, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "Also tell your health care provider about your intended lifestyle changes for possible adjustments of medications."

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racecarrona says:

I am like kwalker. I can walk with my rolling walker a ways but now winter in Wisconsin has made th......

Comments

Comments ( 21 )

racecarrona wrote:

I am like kwalker. I can walk with my rolling walker a ways but now winter in Wisconsin has made that unsafe. I can't afford to go to a gym.

1/22/2010 09:42:41 AM Report Abuse

0794024998 wrote:

I walk plus minus 25kilometer from and to work but gaining more wait what to do please help me ,cause I want to loose those kilos.

1/21/2010 04:31:13 AM Report Abuse

kwalker10021 wrote:

I am incapacitated requiring a wheelchair on most outings and can walk a short distance with a walker. Any suggestions on exercise for me; indoors? *I can not lift more than 4-5 lbs.

1/16/2010 01:52:09 PM Report Abuse

garfield919 wrote:

Folks, it costs money to create & maintain websites, so they have to sell advertising in order to put this information out there. If you can't click on more than one page, maybe that explains why you are overweight to begin with (can we say L.A.Z.Y.???) Grow up!

1/14/2010 11:14:23 AM Report Abuse

Mspmunday wrote:

Walk instead of taking the elevator. Walk as much as you can in a day. Eat celery, it burns more calories to digest it. If you watch TV, you can do some simple exercises while you are watching, like a treadmill, weights, using a stability ball. Make more trips to the house with groceries, or to the laundry room with laundry. Cleaning house is great exercise.

1/13/2010 05:22:00 PM Report Abuse