Thu. August 9, 2012
By Michael Elder
I have said it hundreds of times before and I'll say it again now: I am a pro- metabolism trainer. After having been in this industry for fourteen years, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that increasing metabolism is the key to seeing all results in fitness. But before I go any further, I should answer the question that some of you out there may be asking right now: "OK, that's great, but what exactly is metabolism?" I will give you my answer, although other trainers and health professionals may have their own answers as well. In my professional opinion, metabolism is the rate at which your body burns through food (and yes, that includes fat!)
It goes without saying then that a higher metabolic rate will equal greater caloric expenditure. Sadly, increasing our metabolic rate is no simple task. There are many factors to take into consideration. I will talk about a few of them in detail below.
Sleep to increase metabolism. Another killer of metabolism is inadequate rest and recovery. Seven to eight hours of restful sleep each night is recommended. Lack of sleep can lead to an increase of the hormone cortisol which can have a catabolic effect on the body. "Catabolic" essentially means an eating away of muscle tissue. Since muscle tissue is where food is burned, you can see how this process would not be ideal. Bouts of intense stress can also increase the hormone cortisol. For this reason, I always recommend that my clients allow themselves time to participate in activities that they enjoy doing. Fun is the killer of stress.
By incorporating these tools into your daily life, your metabolism is sure to soar! A soaring metabolism will not just help those people who are looking to lose weight. It is also the same tool people to use to build muscle, increase strength, and improve aerobic endurance. Results in fitness simply cannot be seen without a high metabolism. I understand that these tools may be difficult for some people to employ into their daily lives. My recommendation is to take baby steps at first. Simply take it one day at a time, and as long as adherence is followed, each day you will be well on your way to new and improved healthy lifestyle!
I would also like to take a moment to invite everyone to join me at my upcoming cabaret show. I will be performing with Brian Felder of Gay Chicago TV at the 3160 Piano & Cabaret Bar on August 11 & 25 from 9pm – 11:15pm. The show is called "Happily Ever After: An Evening of Song" and it is sure to be a blast. I hope to see you there! (Event Details)
Michael Elder has been working as a fitness professional in Chicago for the last thirteen years. He comes from a background in gymnastics and is certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE). He can be contacted directly through his website, www.MichaelElder.com.
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