Send Fat To Bat And Rev Up Your Metabolism With These Tips!!!

Metabolism, metabolism, metabolism. That one word has always been a mystery to me. Apparently I have a good metabolism (at least that is what my mother has always told me and I am not one to argue with her) and to tell you the truth I was never to sure what having a good metabolism entailed just was glad that I did (based upon serious looks my mother made when talking of metabolism ). One of my friends who is forever on a diet will tell you that she has a terrible metabolism and can never lose weight because of her metabolism (of course she always mentions this while eating several cookies at once). I decided to delve into the metabolism mystery and find some tips to help you speed up your metabolism whether you think you have a good one or a bad one.

When you have a high metabolic rate this increases the amount of calories, or energy, the body burns on a daily basis. Without optimal metabolism the body will store excess calories as fat for future use. The problem for many people is they don’t ever use these excess calories and as a result struggle with weight issues ( not fun).

Vavavoom Your Metabolism

**Eat Spicy Foods- Have you ever noticed that when you swallow that really hot jalapeno that you start to sweat and feel a little hot (I have on many occasions)? Great news! You are speeding up your metabolism. Add some red pepper, or jalapenos to your favorite dish to get going. Mexican and Thai are great choices for this.

**Eat Breakfast-Believe it or not, it may be the most important meal of the day as far as metabolism (and weight loss) is concerned. People who eat breakfast lose more weight than breakfast skippers do, according to studies. Breakfast gives your metabolism a boost and provides a consistent energy supply throughout the day. Christopher, a New York City fitness expert and my online personal trainer is constantly stressing this to me!
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**Eat Lots Of Small Meals Throughout The Day-If you can eat 5-6 small meals (try not to go for more than 4 hours without eating) this will keep your metabolism running great. I have also found this to be helpful so that I do not overeat. I never really feel hungry.

**Drink Green Tea-Studies have found that green tea extract actually increases metabolism. The antioxidants in tea appear to improve concentration, gently boost energy, make people happier, lower cholesterol levels, improve cardiovascular health and help guard against some cancers too. Sounds like a win win idea to me.
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**Avoid Stress-Too much physical or emotional stress causes our bodies to release a steroid called cortisol that actually slows down our metabolism and can cause weight gain, especially around your stomach area.
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**Eat Protein-You should make sure that 10 to 35 percent of your total daily calories come from protein. The amino acids in protein make it harder for your body to break down than carbs and fats so you burn more calories. This does not mean you have to eat a lot of meat (if you do eat meat I think the organic grass fed is best). I am a vegetarian and eat a lot of eggs (thank you Christopher),nuts, cheeses and other low fat dairy to get in my protein.

**Get Plenty Of Sleep-Studies show that people who don’t get seven to eight hours a night of sleep are more prone to weight gain. I have heard that the first 4 hours of sleep help with brain repair and the last 4 hours help with body repair (this is just a rumor but comes from a reliable source).
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**Stay Away From Sugar- Honestly, this has to be my least favorite as I love, love, love sweets! Unfortunately, sugar throws our metabolic rate into fat storage mode (that just sounds awful).

Isn't this terrific! These are really not tough tips to include in our daily lives (although I do struggle with the sugar one) so that we can burn calories more efficiently and speed up the ever mysterious metabolism (what does a metabolism look like? anything?).

Veggie Juice For A Weight Loss Boost!

Veggie Juice For A Weight Loss Boost!

Okay, this is one that I can actually do without too much trouble!!! In a recent study the Baylor College of Medicine scientists studied 81 overweight adults who were following the DASH diet (rich in foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats). They found that the participants that had a daily eight-ounce glass of low sodium veggie juice lost an average of four pounds in 12 weeks-while the control group lost only one pound. The juice, usually tomato mixed with a variety of vegetables, may fill you up so you don’t eat as much.

Now keep in mind this seemed to work on a healthy diet not how I would like to do it which would be with chocolate bars, cheetos, and nachos. If only. LOL. It sounds simple and very good for you to get some veggies in your diet!!!!

Source Jan 2010 Good Housekeeping

Kindness by Plato

Just a thought for you all as we never know what someone is going through.........

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Plato

Have a great day!
Heidi

Drink Cold Water For A Longer Workout And Burn More Calories!!!!

Drink Cold Water For A Longer Workout!!!
Here is a simple and easy trick to stretch out your workouts (I love simple tricks)! According to a British study, exercisers who drank refrigerated water (39 degrees F) worked out approximately 25% longer than those who consumed the same amount of warmer water. They also said that their sessions felt easier too!

Regardless of you working indoor or out, drinking chilled water both before and during exercise could help keep your body temperature down and your energy up for maximum calorie burn-and who doesn’t love extra calorie burn!!! Anything to make life easier!!

P.S. I am still working with my personal trainer 3 times a week and can really see the results. I am such a baby and despise going and when Andy and I have a session where I have only cussed a couple times and hit him once or twice we both consider it a splendid success. I am just not a natural at all this exercise

Ref: Prevention Magazine May 2009

Something For The Soul!

What I love about the human spirit is that at those moments when you feel the weakest you really find your strength. The soul constantly amazes me!

Never give up!

Heidi

Coffee And Tea I Love You Cause You Protect Me! And MMMMMMMM You Are Dellicious!

Coffee and Tea-Have Some With ME!


Great news for all of us who enjoy their daily dose of coffee and tea!!! According to Australian researchers subjecs lowered their risk of type 2 diabetes by 7 percent for every cup of coffee they drank regardless of whether it was decaf or regular (the benefits topped out at six cups per day). And those who sipped three to four cups per day of black tea daily, reduced their diabetes risk by a whopping 25 percent!!!

The reason: plant compounds found in the beverages, such as lignans and chlorogenic acid, optimize insulin production and help keep blood sugar steady.

Source: For Women First April 2010

Wooohooooo!!! Now go and enjoy some black tea or coffee!

Also, I wish all who celebrate Easter to have a great one and to all those who don't I wish you a wonderful weekend as well!!!!

Stomach Shrinker Soak And Have An Omelet To Focus Better!

I was reading the April 2010 edition of the magazine First for Women and found these two neat and nautral fixes for a couple common problems. Both are easy and extremely doable!

Citrusy Soak A Tummy Shrinker!

Is your stomach feeling a little bloated? Heres a quick and relaxing way to help you out! Soak in a bath containing five drops of orange essential oil. The warm water will open pores while the oil draws out fat-trapping toxins!

An Omelet A Day Will Help Your Focus Stay!

Having a hard time focusing? Then you might want to start your day with a breakfast rich in tyrosine. The amino acid heightens alerness and increases multitasking ability according to researchers the University of Illinois at Chicago. Top sources of tyrosine include eggs, milk, cheese, bananas and almonds. Mmmmmmmmmmm!!!

Love finding stuff like this that is not too difficult! Going to try the citrus soak tonight!!!