Boost Your Metabolism the Natural Way
By: Jen Mueller,
SparkPeople Blogger
11/7/2008 5:29 PM
: 69 comments
Need another reason to get fit? New research shows that endurance-trained athletes have a higher resting metabolism than those who don't exercise. This suggests that they burn energy faster than sedentary people even without exercising--and the different is pretty significant. So while your fit friend is sitting on the couch watching TV, she's likely burning a lot more calories than you (the non-exerciser) are.
This study specifically looked at runners and found that not only does exercise appear to increase metabolism for a few a hours after exercising, but that it also changes the way that muscles convert fat. Surprisingly, study participants burned 54% more calories at rest versus those who lived a sedentary lifestyle.
Now you might be wondering "I exercise, but I'll probably never become an endurance athlete. Does that mean I won't benefit from a metabolism boost?" Previous research has shown that even moderate amounts of activity have a positive effect on your metabolism (and it's great for your health). So remember that some is always better than none!
In this study, endurance athletes were defined as men running four or more hours per week. So it doesn't mean that you have to run 10 miles a day to see these kinds of results. But maybe it's worth throwing in an extra run each week to really get your metabolism going.
The findings of this study aren't earth-shattering, but they do reinforce the significant effects that exercise can have on your body. Whether you're trying to lose weight or just maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise will play a key role. So why not lace up your shoes and get going!
What do you think?
This study specifically looked at runners and found that not only does exercise appear to increase metabolism for a few a hours after exercising, but that it also changes the way that muscles convert fat. Surprisingly, study participants burned 54% more calories at rest versus those who lived a sedentary lifestyle.
Now you might be wondering "I exercise, but I'll probably never become an endurance athlete. Does that mean I won't benefit from a metabolism boost?" Previous research has shown that even moderate amounts of activity have a positive effect on your metabolism (and it's great for your health). So remember that some is always better than none!
In this study, endurance athletes were defined as men running four or more hours per week. So it doesn't mean that you have to run 10 miles a day to see these kinds of results. But maybe it's worth throwing in an extra run each week to really get your metabolism going.
The findings of this study aren't earth-shattering, but they do reinforce the significant effects that exercise can have on your body. Whether you're trying to lose weight or just maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise will play a key role. So why not lace up your shoes and get going!
What do you think?
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Comments
post=is_exercise_a_metabolism_boost
er_maybe_not - 7/14/2009 5:30:13 PM
I will never be a runner. - 5/4/2009 11:28:38 AM
To make walking more effective without elevation change, add a pack with some weight from water or similar dense objects. While it can be viewed as having impact on your joints, most people who run have just as much stress added. As always use common sense when making a change like that.
- 5/1/2009 11:54:58 PM
That's not to say that women shouldn't exercise regularly of course. But I think the implication that it will raise their resting metabolic rates is totally unsupported by this study. But as a fit woman with auto-immune thyroiditis (my thyroid is completely non-functional) and consequently a body temperature that averages about 2 degrees below normal, and a heart rate that drops like a bomb as soon as I am done exercising, throwing in an extra run once a week is not going to do anything to change my resting metabolic rate. - 11/13/2008 12:09:49 AM
I workout daily, but typically run around 4 hours a week (until I was sidelined by this annoying knee problem; now I'm on the exercise bike 4 days a week at least 80 min at a time). Let me just say one thing: increasing my running from three to four hours made a HUGE difference! I was hungrier and consuming more calories (esp carbs), but I lost body fat, inches and pounds. It was like my metabolism was spinning out of control.
Keep in mind, before four months ago, I was a couch potato with no regard for calories, so I'm not exactly atypical. I am just a female who worked her way up the running ladder and proved this experiment true. Work your way up and see for yourself. - 11/10/2008 9:18:10 PM
of mothers with 2-3 young children, through in a couple grandma's . Then do a study on men from different ages. I guarantee that the men already will do better than the women. They are made different. So, when they do the studies they need to have different guidelines for the sex and age. - 11/10/2008 10:15:59 AM
I'm all for more exercise, but I think this information is too generalized. - 11/10/2008 9:46:22 AM
Actually, by running slower you are working at a lower heart rate, less EPOC (post exercise oxygen consumption) is produced, thus less metabolic stress. Much scientific research has proven my point- so please look up the research- especially by Janda.. Sure, like Coach Jen says, someone who runs will have a higher metabolic rate than someone who is sedentary, but if you take two runners, one whom runs slow, one who runs fast, the one who runs fast (sprints/intervals) will have a higher metabolism and most likely be leaner.
- 11/9/2008 5:09:01 PM
- 11/9/2008 11:51:05 AM
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