What is metabolism?

Metabolism is one of the most important word you have to know in order to achieve successful weight loss or simply, to look healthy and feel healthy!

Metabolism, or metabolic rate, is frequently used interchangeably as they essentially mean the same thing, which is, the rate in which your body converts food into energy, for storage or for usage.

All of us has a basal metabolic rate (BMR) which is used for maintaining activities like sleep, eat, breathe and shit. And this BMR is determined by 6 factors:

1. Muscle mass (the more the higher metabolism)
2. Age (metabolism drops 2% every year, 5% once after 40years old)
3. Sex (male generally has higher metabolism)
4. Genes (if your dad is Moses Lim, don't expect to look like Eunice Olsen)
5. Your weight (the heavier you are, the faster your metabolism)
6. Sickness (e.g. Thyroid)

Surprised by some of the factors listed? Familiar with any of them? We often hear people say, "I used to be able to eat a horse and not gain a single extra inch, but look at me now...". The explanation for this will be? Yes, age. The next time your friend says this, try asking them how old were they referring to, they will most likely tell you something like 10 years ago. Also, realised how your boyfriend can eat so much more than you but not grow any fatter but you on the other hand, eat exactly the same thing yet gain so much weight? Yes, it's the fact that they are bigger than you, thus their body will naturally burn more to carry out their daily life activities, also the fact that they are males, they are made up of more muscles than fats compared to women due to the demands of childbearing and other hormonal functions of women, that is why men has higher metabolism than women. There are also those people whom no matter how much they eat, they simply do not grow fat, they don't need to do much exercise nor do they require dieting after a large meal, they simply burn off the meal! One of the explanation can be the presence of mitochondria in their muscles, which you can gain more of too! Click here to find out how!

Other than BMR, our body also uses energy for movement, especially in exercising and other activities like having sex, shopping, cleaning the house etc. Everytime we work our body, our metabolism will naturally increase to ensure there is enough for our survival needs (breathe, eat, sleep, shit). In fact, the increase doesn't only happen during the workout, it continues for at least a few more hours after the workout!

Want to know more about increasing your metabolism? Read this.