Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers -- millions of North Americans are on a diet, and yet 67 per cent of us are overweight or obese and suffer from obesity-related diseases such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, lower back pain and high cholesterol.
A common problem among many of the popular diets on the market today is they are not sensible or sustainable for long periods of time. Could it be that the weight loss industry is a billion-dollar industry not because it is working, but rather because it is not working?
Calorie consumption
You often hear about metabolism and resting metabolic rate in discussions about dieting and weight loss.
Resting metabolic rate is the amount of calories you burn at rest, or the amount of energy your body uses to function daily. The average 30-year-old woman burns approximately 1,150 to 1,250 calories daily at rest, while the average 30-year-old man uses 1,600 calories.
After age 30, metabolism slows down and drops about 0.5 per cent a year. This may not seem like a lot, but it adds up. This is why as we age, we have to exercise more and/or make wiser decisions about what we eat in order to win the battle of the bulge.
In addition to age, chronic yo-yo dieting (the continual gaining and losing of weight often associated with chronic dieters) also slows down metabolism.
Luckily, there are "nutritional tricks" that can jump-start your metabolism and make the pounds melt away. If you do not lose weight after taking the following steps, ask your doctor for further examination (i.e., have a complete blood test done, checking for possible thyroid problems or other hormonal disturbances).
5 ways to naturally rev up your metabolic engine
*Note: For the safest ways to modify your diet and increase your physical activity, discuss your weight-loss plans with your doctor.
1. Stop eating by 7 p.m. or two to three hours before bedtime. Giving your body a "mini fast and cleanse" and not stuffing yourself at night allows your digestive juices to burn excess waste material, thereby promoting weight loss and digestion. By doing this step and this step alone, you'll notice the pounds come off.
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