The phrase “basal metabolic rate” refers to the smallest number of calories a human being needs simply to survive. Basal metabolic rate varies from person to person. Those who burn more calories during periods of inactivity have faster metabolisms than those who require fewer calories to sustain life.
Since the key to losing weight is expending more calories than one consumes, the rate at which one burns of calories is an important part of any weight loss program. Some people simply naturally have faster metabolisms than others, and so are able to eat more food without gaining weight. Many different factors impact metabolic rate.
Men and women have marked differences in basal metabolic rate. Most men naturally have faster metabolisms than women. For this reason, males tend to have more muscle mass and a lower body fat percentage than their female counterparts. This is also one of the most important reasons that weight loss often seems faster and easier for men than for women.
Hormonal fluctuations also impact metabolism. The hormone thyroxin plays an important role in regulating metabolism. People whose thyroid glands do not produce a sufficient quantity of thyroxin have very slow metabolism and tend to gain weight very easily. Conversely, those whose thyroid glands are overactive experience abnormally high metabolic rates and are not able to sustain a healthy body weight. Such problems can usually be regulated by hormone drug therapy.
Aging also has an impact on metabolism. People experience their highest basal metabolic rates during childhood. As people get older and/or become more sedentary, their metabolisms slow and their bodies begin experience a loss of lean muscle mass. These factors often result in weight gain, even if eating habits stay the same.
However, those with slower metabolic rates aren’t destined to remain overweight for life. Increasing your basal metabolic rate is a key to successful weight loss.
The only way to boost your metabolism is through exercise. Engaging in an a regular program of cardiovascular exercise, paired with weight and resistance training, can increase metabolism and result in long lasting healthy weight loss.
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