Speed Up Your Metabolism

Wouldn't it be nice to have your metabolism working faster for you -while you veg out? You know those Sunday afternoons when you're lying around, watching a movie on-demand? Well, as long as you've been lifting weights, there's no need to feel guilty for relaxin.’

Strength training builds muscle mass, which activates your metabolism. Once a speedy metabolism has been achieved, you can go about your day, doing your regular activities, while easily burning calories.

Muscle is an active tissue, and it’s the engine that will rev up your metabolism. That's because muscle burns more calories than fat.

Thomas Williamson, of Equinox Gym, New York, says:

"Building muscle is the most fundamental component in staying lean. Think of muscle and metabolism working together - like a partnership. The more muscle tissue you have, the higher your metabolism and the more calories you'll burn when you rest. The less muscle you have, the less calories you'll burn. The best way to get your metabolism to work faster so that you can burn more calories, is by building more muscle - lifting weights and strength training. Losing weight doesn't happen just by eating little and doing some cardio; that plan can actually slow down your metabolism. One pound of muscle burns 75 calories, while one pound of fat burns 2 calories."

So, if you're a victim of yo-yo diets, the one word answer to your dilemma may be - muscle. The more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn even when you're just sitting around. If you're worried about getting too buff...don't fret ladies, studies show you can increase your strength without getting bulky.