How Does Metabolism Relate To Fueling The Body?

Many people do not really know what is meant by metabolism. While many have heard the term metabolic rate, they really do not understand what it means. It is often confused with weight loss or weight gain. Metabolism is the name for the way our bodies utilize the food we eat.

I'm sure you have heard that skinny people have a higher metabolism than overweight people, but everyone's metabolism is unique. It is based on age, gender, physical condition, environment, life style habits, and a plethora of other factors. Of course there are common threads but be assured you are unique, and so is your metabolism.

Let's get started with the basics. There is a term called 'basal metabolic rate', which refers to the basic rate that we use calories to stay alive. The automatic operations of breathing, nervous system, keeping the heart pumping, brain function and so on require minimum calorie expenditure.

Since everyone's basal metabolic rate is unique to them, it varies based on their activity level. If they are relaxed and comfortable, it is at status quo. If they are stressed, worried, or anxious it runs faster. (Unfortunately, while stress does raise one's metabolic rate, that is not a healthy way to do it).
One of the best things we can do for ourselves is to increase our muscle mass. Muscles burn calories a whole lot better than fat does. By developing our muscles (and I don't mean by becoming a body builder), we can increase our metabolic rate and become a lean mean healthy machine.

Our bodies burn calories based on our level of activity. If we are sedentary and do not engage in much physical activity, we are basically operating at a basic basal metabolic rate. If however we engage in various types of physical activities, namely different forms of exercise, we increase our metabolic rate and will burn more calories, resulting in weight loss. People who take in more calories than they burn will gain weight; conversely people who take in fewer calories will likely not be overweight.

So while we do not have control over many of the factors affecting our metabolism there are quite a few that we do have direct control over. We can control:

- Eating habits: the quantity, quality, and frequency of meals.

- Physical activity: Do we walk up the stairs or take an elevator? Do we walk to the corner store, or do we drive our car? Do we walk the dog, or sit on the couch watching TV? These all add to calorie consumption.

- Exercise: Do we exercise regularly or not at all? What types of exercise do we do? Are we adding in strength training to build those muscles? (If you are just beginning an exercise routine, they should consult a medical professional and start slow).

By increasing our metabolism in a healthy way we will go a long way toward becoming healthier, fitter and increasing our longevity. We have the ability to increase our metabolism and get our bodies to the fitness we desire to be.