Aiding Metabolism

Metabolism is the process by which we create and store energy. It slows as we age and we must be more creative if we are to burn calories and lose weight in our more advanced years.

Here are some important tips to aid in increasing your metabolism:

*Eat Breakfast
*Eat every 3 hours and never skip a meal
*Decrease stress
*Drink water with meals and stay well hydrated during the day
*Eat slowly
*Decrease sugar intake
*Exercise regularly and build lean muscle mass by lifting weights
*Get restful and regular sleep to aid the body in regenerating itself
*Choose foods that are high in fiber and nutrition and stay away from "empty calories"

Effects of Sugar on Weight Loss

Although there are no official recommendations for daily sugar intake, it is a component of your nutrition that should be monitored for many reasons. Sugar is found in foods like cookies, cakes, ice cream and other well known desserts. However, you should also be aware that sugar is found in most processed foods, non-fat foods and sauces like ketchup and salad dressing. Sugar intake causes a fast spike in insulin in the body and will eventually fall. It is this fall of insulin that triggers the body to feel like it is hungry again and makes you crave more to eat soon after eating. The high sugar levels are also telling your body that there is enough energy currently available and therefore, your body will begin to store what you eat as fat.

Sugar can be decreased in your daily intake by eliminating sodas, mixed alcoholic drinks, sugar added to coffee including creamers and other sauces.

You should attempt to replace "hidden" sugars with whole foods such as fruits that will also add fiber to your diet and assist in processing food and aid in fat digestion.

Even though you are monitoring what you eat, you need to know exactly what is going in your body and how your body utilizes these foods to either fuel your body or sabotage your progress. It is as simple as eating for fuel not for taste alone!