Understand Your Metabolism

Your metabolism is uniquely yours. Sorry.

If you are reading this page, I'm guessing you're wishing your metabolism had been swapped at birth for the girl's down the street who eats bon bons to her heart's content and never gains an ounce.

Why, on the other hand, do you survive on carrot sticks and celery stalks yet continue to gain weight? (Could it be because you're eating too little???)

Well, thanks to your unique metabolism, what you need to do to lose weight may be quite different than what your best friend has to do.

If you're like me, then you'd swear your metabolism is as slow as a tortoise's, if it exists at all. Actually I had mine measured and now I can confirm it's (nearly) nonexistent.

You can estimate your metabolism thru an equation. The equation is fairly predictive and in my case was only 10 calories different than when I had it measured.

So let's take a closer look at what metabolism really means...

Resting Metabolic Rate

Did you know that your body never truly rests?! Even when you are sleeping or sitting quietly, your heart is beating and your body is carrying out other functions that you are entirely unaware of (making new blood cells, detoxifying, etc.) This all requires energy.

The amount of energy needed (as measured in calories) to carry out all of these bodily functions is referred to as metabolism. Because these functions continue 24 hours a day, even when you are asleep, this is also referred to as your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR).

Metabolism = Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

It slows down as we get older. For some of us, it may never have been very fast to begin with. No question, the "M" word is on every dieter's mind.

You likely know your metabolism and weight loss are related, but do you know how? Read on to find out more about weight loss and metabolism and how to boost your metabolism.

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