Does Metabolic Rate Increase With Exercise?
The human body is incredibly complex and efficient. All of its systems work together to keep us alive and functioning - one of these systems is the metabolism.
The metabolism is responsible for converting the food we eat into energy that our cells can use.
It also helps to regulate our body temperature and how we store energy in our bodies.
The metabolic rate is the amount of energy that our bodies burn in a given period of time.
It can be affected by many things, including our age, gender, weight, and physical activity level.
Exercise is one of the most common ways people try to increase their metabolic rate. And there are many different theories about how it works:
How Does Metabolism Work?
As mentioned above, the metabolism is the process of converting food into energy. It happens in every cell in our bodies and is necessary for life.
There are three main ways that the metabolism produces energy:
- Catabolism - This is the breakdown of complex molecules (like carbohydrates and fats) into simpler ones (like glucose and fatty acids). This process releases energy that our cells can use.
- Anabolism - This is the construction of complex molecules from simpler ones (like amino acids into proteins). This process requires energy to occur.
- Glucose oxidation - This is the burning of glucose (sugar) in our cells to produce ATP, which is a type of energy our cells can use.
Related: Here are the Best Vegetables for Muscle and Strength
How Does Exercise Affect Metabolism?
Exercise is thought to increase the metabolic rate in two ways:
- By increasing the amount of catabolism that occurs, and
- by increasing the amount of glucose that is oxidized.
It's important to note that not all exercise is created equal when it comes to its effects on the metabolism.
For example, resistance training (weight lifting) has been shown to be more effective at increasing the metabolic rate than aerobic exercise (like running).
This is because resistance training generally results in a greater increase in muscle mass than aerobic exercise - and muscle cells require more energy to function than other types of cells.
Related: How Exercise Affects Your Metabolism
Best Exercise For Increasing Metabolism
If you're looking to increase your metabolism, resistance training is going to be your best bet.
But that's not to say that aerobic exercise isn't important - it is! It's just not as effective at increasing the metabolic rate as resistance training.
In fact, the best way to increase your metabolism is to do a combination of both types of exercise.
This will give you the most benefit in terms of overall health and weight loss.
If you're new to exercise, or if you haven't exercised in a while, it's important to start slow and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts.
This will help your body adjust to the new activity level and avoid injury.
Remember, the goal is to find an exercise regime that you can stick with long-term:
Consistency is key when it comes to increasing your metabolism.
Does Metabolic Rate Increase With Exercise?
Yes, exercise can increase your metabolic rate. But not all exercise is equally effective at doing so.
Resistance training is going to be the most effective type of exercise for increasing your metabolism.
But the best way to increase your metabolism is to do a combination of both resistance training and aerobic exercise.
Start slow and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts as you become more comfortable with exercise.
And most importantly, find an exercise regime that you can stick with long-term. Consistency is key when it comes to increasing your metabolism.
Best Time To Exercise To Boost Metabolism
You may have heard that working out first thing in the morning is the best time to exercise if you want to boost your metabolism.
And while there is some truth to this, it's not necessarily the case for everyone.
In general, the best time to exercise is whenever you can fit it into your schedule and stick with it consistently.
So, if you're able to work out first thing in the morning, great! But if not, don't worry - you can still reap the benefits of exercise by working out at another time during the day.
The important thing is to find a time that works for you and stick with it. Consistency is key when it comes to increasing your metabolic rate.
How Long Does Your Metabolism Stay High After Exercise?
The effects of exercise on the metabolism are not long-lasting.
In other words, your metabolic rate will return to normal soon after you stop exercising.
However, this doesn't mean that the benefits of exercise are short-lived.
Even though the effects on the metabolism are temporary, regular exercise can lead to long-term changes in the body that result in a higher resting metabolic rate.
So even though your metabolism may return to normal pretty quickly, the benefits of exercise can be long-lasting.
How To Keep Your Metabolism High After Exercise
If you're looking for ways to keep your metabolism high after exercise, there are a few things you can do:
Eat a high-protein diet:
Protein takes more energy to digest than other nutrients, so eating a high-protein diet can help boost your metabolism.
Avoid processed foods and refined carbs:
Processed foods and refined carbs are low in nutrients and can lead to weight gain. Instead, focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients.
Eat plenty of healthy fats:
Healthy fats are an important part of a healthy diet and can help boost your metabolism.
Get enough sleep:
We like to dismiss sleep as a luxury, but it's actually incredibly important for our health. Getting enough sleep can help boost your metabolism.
Drink green tea or coffee:
Green tea and coffee both contain caffeine, which has been shown to boost metabolism.
Take supplements like omega-3s, magnesium, and probiotics:
Certain supplements have been shown to help boost metabolism. Generally speaking, the best way to keep your metabolism high is to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet.
Avoid stress:
Stress can lead to weight gain and a decrease in metabolism. Try to find ways to manage stress in your life in order to keep your metabolism high.
Exercise regularly:
As we mentioned before, exercise is one of the best ways to boost your metabolism. And the benefits of exercise are cumulative, so the more you exercise, the better!
Lift weights regularly:
Lifting weights is a great way to build muscle, and muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue. So lifting weights regularly can help boost your metabolism.
Intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting has been shown to boost metabolism - regularly going from a fasted to fed state helps the body become more efficient at burning calories.
Wrapping Up:
If you were wondering if exercise affects your metabolic rate then the answer is: Yes, your metabolic rate does increase with exercise.
In fact, not only does your resting metabolic rate go up, but the total number of calories you burn throughout the day also goes up.
This is because when you exercise, your body needs more energy to fuel movement and muscle contraction.
So, not only do you expend more energy while you’re working out, but your metabolism remains elevated for a period of time afterward as well (known as the “afterburn effect”).
All of this means that if you want to see results from your workouts in terms of weight loss or maintenance, it’s important to make sure that you’re exercising regularly.