Health Briefs

How to Boost Your Metabolism

Trying to lose weight? As you likely know, weight loss is a journey, and part of that journey is understanding all the components—from aerobic activity to calorie counting. One of those components is metabolism.  

Nick Nicholson, M.D., a bariatric surgeon and the medical director of the weight-loss surgery programs at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano and Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, helps explain how to optimize your metabolism for weight loss. 

Q: What is metabolism and why does it matter?

A: Metabolism refers to the processes that determine how the body generates and uses energy. The key is your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the amount of calories you burn at rest, Dr. Nicholson explains. 

Q: What impact does exercise have?

A: “When you exercise, you’re burning glucose, your heart rate is increasing, and you start secreting more endorphins in the brain,” Dr. Nicholson says. “It is this cascade that is essentially regulating your metabolic rate.” 

Cardio workouts may burn more calories, but because muscle burns more calories than fat, weight training is important for boosting your metabolism over the long haul. 

Q: What should I change about my eating habits?

A: Listen to your body, Dr. Nicholson says. If you’re hungry at 5 p.m. and dinner is not until 6, go ahead and eat a snack. “Because otherwise, at 6 p.m., you’ll binge,” he says. 

And consider eating five or six small meals during the day. Too much time between meals causes your metabolism to slow down as your body stores calories. By reducing the time between meals, you reduce the amount that’s shuttled into fat stores, Dr. Nicholson says. 

Q: What else should I know?

A: The bottom line, Dr. Nicholson says, is that boosting your metabolism is not a panacea for weight loss.  

“Everybody’s looking for a magic bullet,” he says. “But it all boils down to hard work and smart choices—and discipline. Don’t be discouraged. Boosting your metabolism is great and it may be an important component, but it’s not the only one.” 

To find our more about scheduling an appointment with a dietitian and learn your current metabolic rate, click here. To register for a surgical weight loss seminar, click here.