Your Metabolic rate: motivated or messed up

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to eat a lot but don’t gain much weight, while others gain weight even when they eat small portions? Or why do some people feel very energetic while others get tired quickly? The answer often has to do with something called metabolic rate.

So what exactly is metabolic rate?

Metabolic rate is the rate at which your body uses energy to maintain life and activity. Our bodies are like engines. Just as a car engine burns fuel to move, our bodies burn food to give us energy. This “burning” process is called metabolism, and the rate at which it happens is our metabolic rate.

Why is Metabolic Rate Important?

Your metabolic rate is important because it controls how your body uses energy. Even when you are sleeping, sitting, or simply breathing, your body is still at work. Your heart keeps pumping, your lungs keep breathing, and your brain keeps thinking. All of these activities need energy. The amount of energy your body uses to do these basic things is called the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR).

In other words, BMR is the minimum energy your body needs to survive. But when you play football, dance, run, or even laugh, your body uses even more energy. The total energy you use every day is influenced by both your BMR and your activities.

Factors That Affect Metabolic Rate

Not everyone has the same metabolic rate. Different things can affect it, such as:

• Age – Children and teenagers usually have a faster metabolic rate than older people because they are still growing.
• Gender – Men or boys often have a slightly higher metabolic rate than girls because they usually have more muscles.
• Muscle Mass – The more muscles you have, the more energy your body uses, even when resting.
• Food – What and how often you eat can affect your metabolism. Spicy foods and proteins can sometimes increase it.
• Exercise – Active people have a higher metabolic rate because their bodies burn more energy.

Related: 3 Health Pillars for Effective Weight-loss and Optimum Health

Can You Change Your Metabolic Rate?

Yes, you can! 

Even though some parts of it are natural (like your age and genes), you can boost your metabolic rate in healthy ways. Exercising regularly, eating balanced meals, drinking enough water, and sleeping well can all help. For example, doing sports or skipping rope makes your body burn more energy, not just while you are playing, but even after you stop. This is why you should engage in exercises no matter how small. Walking is the easiest for adults.

Why Should You Care About Metabolic Rate?

As an individual, knowing about metabolic rate helps us make better choices for our bodies. Instead of skipping meals to lose weight or eating too much junk food, we should focus on balanced eating and staying active. If your metabolism is healthy, you will have enough energy to stay strong.

Summary

Metabolic rate may sound like a big science word, but it’s really just about how fast or slow your body burns energy. Some of it is natural and out of your control, but you can still influence it by living a healthy lifestyle. 

So the next time you feel full of energy after a good meal or tired after running around, remember that your metabolic rate is at work! Understanding it now will help you take care of your body better, especially as you grow older. After all, our bodies are like engines, and the better we maintain them, the smoother they run. 

Until then, take care of yourself.