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The calorie equation has been done to death by almost all nutritionists. We all know that we need to eat less or burn more than our body needs. Given our hectic schedules, most of us opt to starve ourselves in a bid to create a calorie deficit. Unfortunately, the body is smarter than us. It senses the scarcity and puts the body in the conservation mode. This means that where earlier we were burning 2000 calories in a day, we are now only burning 1500. So, despite eating 500 calories less, we are still not creating any deficit. The result ?We stay hungry, get grumpy, and don see the scales shift. What can be more disappointing? The missing variable that people forget to factor into their weight loss calculations is metabolism.



What Is Metabolism?

Metabolism is the process by which the body metabolizes or consumes food. Metabolism is also a calorie burning activity. It is the hidden variable that is the most difficult to control in weight loss. There must be people you know who can eat twice the amount you do and stay half your weight. Or you would remember a time in your life when you could eat as many chips as you could without gaining an inch. The difference was in metabolism. As we grow older, our food processing power changes. Simply put, our requirements decrease. We need much lesser food but out of habit attain satiety in the same amount, which piles up as fat.

We cannot radically alter our body metabolic rate but a good exercise and food program can help us time our consumption with the metabolic cycles. The body, when it wakes up in the morning, is at the lowest metabolic ebb. By eating a healthy breakfast, we literally break the fast and put the body into the metabolic gear. Skipping breakfast means letting the metabolism snooze. Apart from having little productivity in the first half, the body, sensing scarcity, will have a tendency to store what you have for lunch.

How Does Exercise Help Metabolism?

Any activity or exercise increases the body metabolic rate. When you use any calorie calculator, it asks for you to choose between a moderately active and active lifestyle. Check both in turn to see the difference in results. Exercise increases the metabolic rate. This is why it is always a good idea to indulge yourself after a workout when your body calorie burning capacity is at its highest. Similarly, most programs advise cutting down on food intake a few hours before going to bed as the food we eat then has higher chances of staying un-metabolized and stored as fat.

Exercise Plan To Lose Weight

In view of the above, staying active throughout the day is sometimes better than a short spurt of walking or exercise in the morning. It is also the reason why many programs advise you to walk and jog alternatively to maximize the benefits. Whatever exercise or calorie bringing program you follow, be sure to time your food after or with it to ensure the best utilization possible. Another solution would be to deliberately opt for the most active lifestyle that you can get.