How to Raise Metabolism

January 5, 2012 · Filed Under Uncategorized · Comments Off 

Everyone who has tried to lose weight wants to know how to raise metabolism. The reason for this is that they have heard that metabolism is related to weight loss and if they can increase their metabolism they will lose weight faster. The good news is, this is true and the bad news is, it isn’t easy. You will need to exercise and watch your diet on a daily basis to actually make a difference in your metabolism.

Before we move on to how to raise metabolism let’s look at what determines our metabolic rate. First of all, age is a factor, the older we get the slower it gets. Your genes also play a big role, therefore some people will naturally have a higher metabolism. Activity level is another big one, the more active you are the faster the metabolism. It makes a difference if you’re a man or a woman as well, simply because men have more muscle to fat ratio than women and it takes more energy to move muscle than it does fat.

It would seem then your goal would be to have more muscle than fat and to do this you will need to exercise regularly. There is no other way to gain muscle. In fact, one of the best forms of exercise you can do to increase your metabolism is weight training. Working out with weights and doing your sets back to back without rest, this is called super setting, will definitely raise your metabolism. How do I know this technique works? I know it works because it works for me. Weight training with super sets can be intense training and it’s the intensity that cranks up the metabolism.

However, you can begin super set weight training techniques with less intensity simply by not using heavy weight and by doing less reps and sets, then gradually work your way up. I highly recommend a trainer to get you started so that you will learn proper form so as to avoid injury, especially if you intend to use free weights which require extra balance and strict form. Once you learn it though, you’re set for life; you can use super set techniques forever. After several months of intense training your metabolism will be high throughout the entire day even when you’re resting.

Most forms of exercise will speed up your metabolism, at least temporarily. All forms of aerobic training will work, but the key is intensity. As mentioned above, you can always start out at the beginner level and work your way up. Nevertheless,  you will need to aggressively build intensity and yes it sounds like a lot of work and it is, but if you really want to do it you will, and it will be worth it.

After all, not many things in life are more important than your health. And if you’re overweight and don’t want to be then you need to do something about it. Raising your metabolism
can help you achieve your weight loss goals you just need to make up your mind and take action. No action = 0 results. In fact why not begin today, heck, why not start right now? Stop reading and go do it.

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8 Easy Tips for Weight Loss Goals

October 1, 2011 · Filed Under Uncategorized · Comments Off 

Well planned weight loss goals keep you focused and motivated.  If you don’t have a plan or goals you most likely won’t succeed. Check out these 8 easy tips for weight loss goals and make the changes you’ve been wanting to make, but didn’t know how.

1. The first thing you want to do is aim for realistic weight loss, safe weight loss happens steadily over a period of time. Losing weight quickly is usually a sign of losing water weight or muscle instead of fat. A realistic goal would be 1-2 pounds a week, possibly 3 pounds at most.

2. Don’t try to do too much at once. Start with a few small goals so that you don’t overwhelm yourself and wind up giving up. Keep it doable so that you will stay in it for the long haul; taking it one step at a time.

3. Plan short term goals and long terms goals. Therefore, you will have daily (short term)goals and long term goals which encompass the big picture. For example, short term would be walking 20 minutes each day and long term would be preparing for a  walkathon.

4. Make the weight loss goals personal. They must be goals that you’re capable of, know your limitations. Take into consideration available time, fitness level, motivation and any health concerns you may have.

5. Choose a date. There must be a time set aside for you to begin or else you may procrastinate. Once you have set the date don’t change it for anything. You may have to change some things in your schedule to do this, but if you’re serious you will do it.

6. Take into account there will be setbacks. Every time you make lifestyle changes you may experience setbacks, it’s a fact of life, so you will need a strategy in place to overcome difficult situations.

7. Another important tip is to write it down. The more details you have the better. For instance when and where will you do it. How will you fit it into your daily routine? What do you need to do to get started?

8. Let’s not forget to evaluate and reassess. Review your goals and adjust them as needed. Be willing to change your weight loss goals if they’re not working as planned. Think about what worked and what didn’t. Maybe you started out small and are now ready to take on a bigger challenge.

These 8 easy tips for weight loss goals will help you focus on a plan that is successful. All you need to do now is go forward and implement. You can do it!

* Added note: To lose 1-2 pounds a week you will need to burn 500 -1000 calories more than you eat each day. You can do this by eating smaller portions, low-calorie foods and exercise. Changing your habits and making it a lifestyle change is one of the major keys to losing weight and keeping it off.

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Weight Loss Dance

July 2, 2011 · Filed Under Uncategorized · Comments Off 

Did you know you can dance weight off? There’s no specific weight loss dance method, but as you can imagine there are multiple styles of dance that will do the trick. It’s best to choose one that you enjoy so that you’ll do it on a regular basis. Personally, I have participated in several and I loved them all, of course, I love to dance so that makes a difference. Dancing can be considered exercise, but I see it as fun.  Why not lose weight and have fun doing it?

One of the most fun types of dance you can do is Dance Dance Revolution, also known as DDR. Just in case you have never heard of DDR, it’s an interactive game. Mostly kids do it, however, adults get involved along with the kids or can play on their own. You just plug it in, get on your dance mat and use the colored arrows as a guide to do your dance steps. The best thing to do is start out easy and work your way up so that you can get used to it and so that you won’t look like a clod. This energetic dance game is used all over the world to help obese kids lose weight and as a family activity.

If you don’t want to go the game route there are plenty of other options, for example, what about a dance class. There are all kinds of dance classes you can take. One of the first dance classes I ever took was a belly dance class. It was tricky getting used to the music and the costumes seemed somewhat brief at first, but in time you get used to it and it turned out to be a great learning experience plus I lost 10 pounds in 5 weeks. Another added bonus was I made some of my money back from the classes by dancing with a team of girls at several Greek restaurants.

And if belly dancing doesn’t appeal to you there’s always Ballet, Tap, Jazz,  Aerobics and the ever popular, Ballroom dance. I have done all of these at one time or other and I must say I really did love them all, however, the most fun one was ball room. To sum up: ballet took the most discipline, tap helped me to get rhythm, jazz was exciting, and aerobics helped me lose the most weight, due to the intensity of it. The best thing to do is consider what your goal is and make a decision based on that.

Additionally, you can learn all the new trendy/line dances and practice them at home either when no one is at home or have a friend or family member join you. This way when you go to parties you can impress everyone with all the latest moves and be the life of the party. Somebody has to do it so why not you? Finally, all forms of dance can help you lose weight it just depends on which one you enjoy most and of course, your weight loss goals.

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