As we get older our bodies begin to slow down and not function as well as they did 20 years ago, this is because our bodies need more energy to keep going and if we do not supply it then it will begin to expect this and begin to slow down as to keep up with our expectations. If we continue to give our bodies energy through diet and exercise then it will reward us by keeping our metabolism running smoothly and optimally.
Everyone knows that metabolism slows down after a certain age. There are certain factors which impact this change including: age, muscle loss, poor diet, lack of exercise, and hormones. However, there are certain steps we can take in order to fire up our metabolism. If you follow them closely there is no reason you should gain weight due to slow metabolism but if you do you can always fins a diet supplement that helps aid in the metabolic process.
One way to increase our metabolic rate is to increase our muscle mass. Regular strength training can increase our resting metabolic rate by 8%. Most people are concerned with cardiovascular fitness only; however, as far as metabolism is concerned, a combination of both is necessary. It is also very important to never exercise on an empty stomach. When you exercise on an empty stomach you lower your blood sugar and increase your appetite. It has always been recommended to have a light calorie snack, such as a banana or yogurt 20 minutes prior to your workout now it is said that you should try a carb for energy or even a protein drink that will help aid in your energy level. As far as post workout metabolism, you should schedule your meals approximately 15 to 30 minutes following your workout. In several studies, people who ate their meals 15-30 minutes post exercise ate less than people who ate their meals an hour or more following physical activity. Following exercise your metabolism works faster and food is digested much more rapidly. When food is digested rapidly, your body feels full quicker than when your metabolism is sluggish. That is why physical activity is important in maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy digestive tract. To avoid this sluggish feeling you should have a small "mini" meal roughly every two to three hours, this also keeps your metabolism running full of energy because our bodies do not slow down to feel hungry and beg for the nourishment.
It is said that if you do eat smaller meals five times a day it will help you in the long run also. Your digestive track is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it becomes. Eating smaller meals will encourage your digestive tract to work quickly and effectively. When you consume large meals your metabolism is sluggish and it stores a lot more calories in the process. These are just a few ways to improve your metabolism effectively.
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