Jumpstart Your Metabolism

By Maia Carney

If you're having problems shedding pounds, it's time to jumpstart your metabolism. A slow metabolism is a common excuse when it comes to weight gain, but the good news is that change is within your reach. The change won't occur overnight, but comes in baby steps for the first few weeks. Any great journey is accomplished one small step at a time.

Build Muscle As You Burn Calories

Losing weight is all about burning more calories and eating fewer. You won't achieve it with starvation diets. Super low calorie diets do just what their name implies, starve you. They make the body hunker down and lower the overall caloric use to make sure you have enough calories for your organs. In other words, they put you in starvation mode and that means lowering your metabolism. Healthy eating combined with regular exercise is the only way to lose weight and keep it from returning.

Exercise Does More

Exercise does more than just burn extra calories. A program of regular exercise builds muscle tissue too. Muscle tissue requires more calories for maintenance than fat tissue does, so you'll be burning more calories 24/7 as you build it. That means you'll be raising your metabolism, making it easier to lose weight. You'll also look far thinner, even if you never shed a single pound.

You'll Have Energy

You'll have energy to spare the fitter you become. If it took forever to do a few tasks around the house, you'll be amazed at how much quicker you can do them the fitter you become. Regular exercise also helps you zip through mental tasks. It's been proven that when you exercise you increase your brain power and productivity.

Many ailments seem to disappear as you become fitter. Back problems are one of those. That's because you're strengthening your core muscles. Strong stomach muscles can help prevent back problems by providing additional support.

You'll have more fun. When you're fit, you won't get weary and crabby as easily. That means you'll be enjoying life more.

You'll sleep better at night when you exercise on a regular basis. A good night's sleep not only helps your overall health, it helps keep you sharp and focused.