Most people have a desire to lose weight especially after the Christmas season when they have gained a few extra pounds. If losing some weight and getting fit and healthy in the New Year is one of your goals then we have some tips to help you achieve and maintain your goal. One of the first things we must understand is our metabolism.

What is Metabolism?
Metabolism refers to a variety of biochemical reactions that occur within the cells of the human body. These reactions not only keep the cells functioning, but are also essential to maintaining the living state of the body. Metabolism most commonly refers to energy production and the process by which calories consumed are broken down and transformed into energy. For some people, this process is naturally quite efficient. However, others may have a slow metabolic rate and struggle to lose weight. With regular cardiovascular exercise and healthy eating you will be able to raise your metabolism and begin to lose weight.

How do I increase my metabolism?
The speed at which your body metabolizes food into energy depends on three key factors:

• How many calories you consume
• How many calories you burn
• Your genetics

While the genetic component is largely out of your control, there is much that can be done to  affect the consumption and utilization of calories to ultimately promote a healthy, efficient metabolism.

Being active has a major influence on our metabolism. Exercise increases your requirement for energy and keeps your metabolism active in order to meet that increased need. Eating a healthy, balanced diet
also supports a healthy metabolism because your body uses energy to digest and absorb the nutrients you consume through foods. Just don’t forget the words “healthy” and “balanced” when it comes to eating.

Overeating or filling your plate with unhealthy food items will not bring about the same metabolism-boosting benefits. A measure that you can use when eating is if you eat it, you have to pay for it by putting in that extra time when exercising. Most people struggle with diets and weight loss because they think that they will achieve their desired goal just by cutting back on certain foods. To see the greatest results you must couple exercise with healthy eating. That means retraining your body by cutting out unhealthy snacks, reducing your portion sizes and cutting out processed foods.

Does metabolism decrease with age?
The answer is yes, as we get older, we tend not to engage in as much exercise in other words we slow down in our activities. As a result, the need for energy declines and the activity of one’s metabolism slows down. So what can we do to avoid this happening? As much as possible, stay active throughout life—no matter how old you may be!

In order to burn more calories and excess fat, you have to include cardiovascular activities into your exercise routine such as walking, running and swimming, which also helps to keep your heart healthy.

How does diet affect metabolism?
Diet plays an instrumental role in metabolic health. Consuming more calories than your body can use, especially from foods that lack nutritional density, can result in the storage of those calories as fat. So be wise when it comes to how much you eat as well as what you eat, and if ever in doubt, choose fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, and lean meats over anything processed or fried.