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Weight With Fast Metabolism
Are you aware of people who complain about slow metabolism and how they don't eat food and yet gain weight? Or, have you spoken to people who are unhappy with someone they know who eats whatever or she likes even large amounts of junk food because of high metabolism and reportedly doesn't gain weight? In both instances, the person typically concludes by saying,
- What role metabolism plays when it comes to weight gain and loss of weight?
- Are your metabolic rates determined in part by genes?
- If yes, are you able to boost your metabolism by exercising, taking food, or drugs?
- Does the significance of metabolism simply an untruth?
- Does weight loss or gain solely because of "calories in and calories out?"
To answer these queries is the combination of nature (genetic makeup) along with nurture (the environmental conditions).
What Is Metabolism?
Metabolism or metabolic rate can be described as the set of chemical reactions that occur in an organism that generate and destroy energy needed to sustain life. It's simply the rate at which your body burns energy or burns calories.
- Our bodies use calories in many ways.
- By the energy needed for keeping the body at rest. This is also known as the Basal metabolic rate(BMR). Your BMR is largely dependent on the genes you carry.
- Through daily routine
- Through exercises
Metabolism is a part of the genetic code and is largely out of control. It is a subject of debate. Certain people are fortunate. They have genes that help promote increased metabolism. They can eat more food without losing weight. Some aren't so fortunate and suffer from an inefficient metabolism.
One way to look at metabolism is to think of your body as an engine that's always on. When you're not moving or asleep, your engine is idle like an automobile at a stop light. A part of your energy is consumed for keeping the motor going. For us, of course, the fuel source isn't gasoline. It's the calories in food items we consume and beverages we drink that can be consumed immediately as well as saved (especially by way of fat) to be used later.
The speed at which the body's "engine" runs on average and over time, determines the number of calories you consume. When your metabolic rate can be described as "high" (or fast) it will help you consume more calories in time rest and in activities. A high metabolic rate means that you'll require more calories in order to keep up your weight. This is one reason why people can consume more food than others and not gain weight. People who have a "low" (or slow) metabolism will burn fewer calories when they are not in activities and consequently, must consume less food in order to avoid becoming overweight.
Did You Know ...?
People who are slim are more likely to exercise in everyday activities than those that are obese. How? They could "fidget" more -- which means they are more likely to move even while engaged in other activities. The question is whether this tendency to move more than less is genetically encoded or acquired is not known. It can however increase or decrease hundreds of calories per day.
People who are obese burn more calories on average than people who are lean during all activities, mainly because they require longer to move around. However, they are more sedentary, making it more difficult to rid of body fat.
Weight Control -- Part Nature, Part Nurture
It's a bit of truth and a little legend that metabolic rate is the primary factor in weight. The rise in obesity in our country can't be blamed exclusively on a genetic tendency to have a slower metabolism. Genes don't change this quickly. Things that are environmental -- especially changes in diet and not exercising enough are more likely to cause problems. Age is an issue also, however, new research suggests that metabolism is at its peak earlier in life, and decreases in speed much later than was previously believed.
In reality, the majority of people's weight gain isn't caused by bad luck, thyroid issues, or an unrelated external, uncontrollable cause. Most of us know that calories in, and calories out can have a significant influence on changes in weight over the course of a life.
Whatever your metabolism is speedy or slow the body is designed to store extra calories in the fat cells. Thus, if you eat as well and consume greater quantities of calories (energy "intake") than the body burns (energy "output") you are likely to increase weight. However, when you consume and drink fewer calories than you burn in everyday activities (including exercises, rest, and rest) and you lose weight, you'll be losing it. The body is also programmed to recognize an absence of food as being starvation. As a result of this, our BMR is reduced and this means that there are fewer calories consumed over the course of time. This is the reason losing weight is usually difficult.
One of the most fascinating aspects to note is the way our weight fluctuates every day. In reality, just one extra calorie each day can result in a substantial weight gain by the end of the year. For instance, eating an apple every day could cause a weight increase of almost 9 pounds at the end of a year! In the same way, even a tiny reduction in calories daily could result in a remarkable weight reduction. The elimination of dessert for a day per week could result in the loss of six pounds over the course of a year.
There are many theories to explain what amount a person consumes, how they feel full, and the reason they overeat to the point where they feel full. These variables also influence the weight that a person will ultimately be. Another theory suggests that every person has a fixed limit -- a point at which our body is "happy." If you're losing weight you'll be hungry until you reach your weight set by the set point. This is one reason it's so difficult to lose weight. However, how the set point is established and if there is a mechanism for that remain undetermined.
The Bottom Line
In the case of weight loss metabolic rate is vital and is a genetic component. If you are able to alter your metabolism, however, is a subject of intense debate. You could alter the way you weigh the calories you consume with the energy you put in by exercise, which can alter your weight.
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