Metabolism is popularly blamed when people either gain or lose weight. But unknown to them, weight loss can slow down metabolism, and it might be that their efforts at losing weight may be hindering their metabolism to work properly lose weight.
So, what are we going to do? Stop weight loss to speed up metabolism? But it is a known fact that active metabolism helps so much in burning calories and fats which are necessary to lose weight. The principle behind metabolic weight loss is that the bigger the muscle mass, the better metabolism you have and the easier it is to lose weight.
Calorie Restriction is the Culprit
Actually, rigid calorie restrictions and crush diets are the culprits. When you try to lose weight through these ways, they slow down your metabolism so that you wonder why despite the heavy workout and fats and calorie deprivation, you still have the same weight. Worse, you even gain more. According to slimming experts, rigid zero-fat and zero calorie diets can reduce your basal metabolic rate or BMR. BMR is the least amount of energy needed to keep the natural chemical processes in the body going. These chemical processes are what keep you alive and your body organs functioning.
But abrupt and extreme cutting down on calories and fats is not the answer to proper metabolism. Fact is, some diets even force your body to break down muscles to burn them as fuel. That reduces muscle mass. The more muscle mass is reduced the slower metabolism becomes. And that’s why you remain overweight no matter if you workout and continue your severe diet. No wonder it’s so easy to put weight back on with a few bites of food after you get rid of them for a while.
What Can Speed Up Metabolism Effectively?
It remains a fact that active metabolism helps reduce weight and effect slimming. And the best way to speed up metabolism is build muscle mass by working out. While doing this, your body will need energy to burn as fuel to enable itself to work out. Your diet then should continue to include some amount of calories and fat. Hence, the need for a balanced (not starvation) diet.
Another tip for speeding up metabolism is a diet high in protein. Protein helps build up muscle mass. Together with regular exercise, protein can improve metabolism and lead to effective weight loss. Minimal calorie and fat intake, with lots of protein (like lean meat and non-fat fresh milk) and vegetables and fruits, plus high-intensity regular workouts, are the key to successful weight loss.