How to Increase Your Metabolism With Exercise
The term metabolism refers to a set of chemical reactions, a biochemical process in the human body that relates to weight control; it is one of the most important functions in the body. Your basal metabolic rate or resting metabolic rate is the rate at which your body burns calories -- the higher your metabolic rate, the faster your body burns calories. Some basic exercises can help to significantly increase your metabolism.
Instructions
-
-
1
Walk more. Many people hold office jobs or otherwise spend a great deal of time on a computer, which decreases the amount of exercise they are getting each day. By simply walking to work, or taking a walk around the block at lunch time, you can increase your daily exercise and help to boost your metabolism.
-
2
Jog, run, swim or begin other intense aerobic activities. Aerobic exercises increase your heart rate and maintain this elevated heart rate for the duration of the workout. They also help increase the body's metabolic rate dramatically if performed on a regular basis of at least three to five times a week, at least an hour each day.
-
-
3
Lift weights. Weight training, or resistance training as it is commonly called, helps you build lean muscle mass, increasing your metabolism in turn. The higher your muscle to fat ratio, the faster your body burns calories. Regular resistance training exercises can help you achieve a significant boost to your resting metabolic rate.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Speak to your doctor if you are overweight or otherwise having issues increasing your metabolism with exercise, particularly if you are over age 50. Health conditions, such as a malfunction of the thyroid gland, can create problems with metabolism.
Other ailments -- including Gaucher disease, Wilson's disease and Zellweger syndrome -- can cause the metabolic rate to slow.
Stress, medication and an improper diet can affect your basal metabolic rate.
References
- Photo Credit exercise image by Inger Anne Hulbækdal from Fotolia.com
