Are You Helping or Hurting the Way Your Body Burns Fat?

Dieting preparation can pay off.

Dieting is rough.  The results of your efforts can seem like forever waiting for those pounds to melt away.  But, what if I told you that are some things you can do more to speed up your body's metabolism and replace fat with more muscle than what you are already doing?

More Protein and Exercise Both Speed Up Metabolism

To start, don't underestimate the power of protein because it does affect your metabolic rate.  Do you eat at least 56 to 62 grams of it a day?   Protein is important because it has amino acids to help your metabolism, turning it along with carbohydrates and fats into energy while building muscle.  Without enough, your body stalls like a car without fuel, which means you won't lose as much weight.  Therefore, don't be denying yourself that protein you need.

Just like that parked car, your body at rest is at a standstill without any exercise to speed up that metabolic rate.  You don't have to run a marathon to get your heart pumping.  You just need to get moving to give your body more of a fighting chance.  Park further away and walk a bit to the store or your office or take the stairs over the elevator, etc. 

If you already exercise, you should add light weights or resistance bands to your routine.  Believe it or not, cans of food can make great homemade weights for lifting.  A typical small can of vegetables runs about 14.5 oz. while the larger cans are about 1 lb. 12 oz.   The size and weight of that can you are comfortable working out with is up to you.  All I am saying is you don't have to buy fancy equipment and can improvise.  

Control Nibbling by Keeping a Food Journal

Another thing to consider is how strict are you when it comes to everything in your diet menu?  Be honest with yourself, do you count every nibble that goes into your mouth?  Tasting while cooking counts and can be hindering your progress.  Try keeping a food journal and write down everything before it enters your mouth will give a realistic picture of why you're not dropping the weight as you had thought.

Starving Will Only Hinder Those Fat-Burning Efforts

Just as harmful to your fat-burning efforts are not eating enough calories.  Cutting calories is crucial for shedding weight, but you can't starve yourself thinking less is better without dire consequences to your health and by slowing your metabolism.  Strive for at least 1200 calories a day when dieting.

To everyone else also trying to lose weight, hang in there and know you are not alone.  Whether you have a few or more pounds to drop, you have plenty of company and hopefully what I shared helps keep you motivated.