Why People Are Overweight:
People who are overweight often say they have a “glandular problem” when they refer to their weight. By glandular, they are referring to their thyroid gland. The problem they wishfully refer to is an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). The thyroid gland secretes a hormone called thyroxine which helps control the metabolism. An overactive thyroid gland secretes too much thyroxine which speeds up the metabolism and could contribute to a weight loss. Conversely, the sluggishness of metabolism resulting from an underactive thyroid could very well result in weight gain. The cold reality is that less than 1% of the American adult population actually suffers from an underactive thyroid.
Why are so many Americans dramatically overweight? Obesity is not merely an issue of self-control or self-discipline. There are lots of other physiological things that contribute to obesity including, but certainly not limited to: sluggish metabolism, overindulgence of calories with sedentary lifestyle, serotonin imbalances in the brain, genetics, & insulin resistance.
Desperate & Dangerous Measures:
Obese individuals who have spent a lifetime struggling with their weight are oftentimes desperate, unhappy and vulnerable. They will spend thousands of dollars seeking the miracle product that will make them thin once and for all. They will consume all sorts of “miracle” pills and potions for such purpose. They won’t care that these products haven’t been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for safe public consumption. They don’t care about the risky side effects. They so desperately want to be thin.
What is Metabolism?
Metabolism is the rate that your body burns up calories. A fast metabolism speeds up weight loss and is critical to burning fat and managing body weight. “Linda is so lucky… she can eat whatever she wants because she has ‘good’ metabolism. “ Yes, Linda is one of the lucky ones, but you, too, can help yourself become ‘lucky’. By using some safe and natural methods to speed up your own metabolism, you can change your own destiny.
Use Your Muscles to Help Lose Weight:
The American Council on Exercise recommends resistance training for weight management. Think of your muscles as your body’s engine. The bigger your engine, the more energy you can burn. Muscle is active tissue. It moves whenever you move your body and that raises your metabolism. When you increase the density of your muscles, you naturally boost your metabolism as your muscles become fat burning machines. How do you do this? Adding a resistance training program to a physical workout is a sure method of naturally raising your metabolism. To make the most out of your time in the gym, train three days per week, training your entire body during each session. Use basic, compound exercises such as the leg press and shoulder press. If you can afford it, hire a personal trainer to coordinate the perfect exercise program for you. Just one or two sessions with a trainer can help you embark on the right path.Be sure to speak with your doctor before you start any exercise program.
Stay Hydrated:
Water is essential for adequate metabolism. An inadequate water intake can slow your metabolism. Water is responsible for several metabolic processes, including digestion, waste management and temperature regulation. The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking 2 liters (about 8 glasses) of water daily. You can fight hunger as well as raise your metabolism by drinking a glass before each meal. To provide an extra boost, make sure your water is ice cold. Your body burns extra calories heating it up to its core body temperature of 98.6 degrees fahrenheit.
Cardiovascular Exercise:
Aerobic cardiovascular exercises such as walking, swimming, jogging and cycling are all effective ways to keep your metabolism churning which in turn will help you burn off calories. If you are just starting out, don’t overdo it. Use a low-impact, low-intensity exercise such as brisk walking or moderate cycling. Start with a walk around the block if that is all you can do at the onset. Then gradually increase the distance as tolerated. Push yourself just a bit more than you can easily tolerate each time. Eventually, your tolerance will increase. You didn’t get obese overnight. Cut yourself some slack. Asking a friend to exercise with you increases your extrinsic motivation, but ultimately, the motivation has to come from within. With more tolerance, you can graduate to jogging or intense cycling like spinning. Again, be sure to speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Coffee as a Natural Metabolism Booster:
Whether you realize it or not, caffeinated coffee can be an effective natural metabolism booster. The caffeine found in a cup of coffee raises metabolism and can improve fat oxidation. Drinking a cup before exercise can also improve alertness and help fight fatigue.
Spice Up Your Metabolism:
While this may be myth rather than truth, many “natural” resources say that spicy foods will increase your metabolism. Keep the jalepenos coming!
Acupuncture:
Some of the literature claims that acupuncture can also speed up a sluggish metabolism.