Metabolism

[cntryboy0531]

Any of you guys know of a vitamin suppliment, or just a suppliment in general that will help boost metabolism? I'm begining to wonder if I'm not burning calories and fat at a quick enough rate. Any suggestions?

Also, I'd prefer something that is safe, and not at risk for shrinking my testicals anymore than they are.

Many thanks in advance.

[Switchback]

I hear crank will do a fine job.


Sorry...I couldn't resist. To be honest, I am not a big fan of any of the "supplements" that claim to increase your metabolism. Your metabolism is set genetically and all these supplements do is put your body on a "fast forward", often resulting in feeling jittery, etc.

Your best bet is diet and lifestyle change (and not the type that now allows you sing out proud in Obama's military). Drink TONS of ice cold water (your body has to burn calories to heat it before it can be metabolized), cut out complex carbs (but keep the veggies), take the stairs, don't look for the closest parking spot, etc. It all adds up.

[Kimble]

To be honest, I am not a big fan of any of the "supplements" that claim to increase your metabolism. Your metabolism is set genetically and all these supplements do is put your body on a "fast forward", often resulting in feeling jittery, etc.

Your best bet is diet and lifestyle change (and not the type that now allows you sing out proud in Obama's military). Drink TONS of ice cold water (your body has to burn calories to heat it before it can be metabolized), cut out complex carbs (but keep the veggies), take the stairs, don't look for the closest parking spot, etc. It all adds up.

All good points above, though I also drink green tea which has several other health benefits in addition to slightly increasing metabolism. I usually buy the Crystal Light brands (that taste less crappy than other brands) and mix in another flavored Crystal Light like lemonade or fruit punch. Taste pretty good with no sugar compromise.

[retdetsgt]

I hear crank will do a fine job.


Sorry...I couldn't resist. To be honest, I am not a big fan of any of the "supplements" that claim to increase your metabolism. Your metabolism is set genetically and all these supplements do is put your body on a "fast forward", often resulting in feeling jittery, etc.

Your best bet is diet and lifestyle change (and not the type that now allows you sing out proud in Obama's military). Drink TONS of ice cold water (your body has to burn calories to heat it before it can be metabolized), cut out complex carbs (but keep the veggies), take the stairs, don't look for the closest parking spot, etc. It all adds up.

+1

Bottom line, move more, eat less.

Several years ago, I went on the Atkins Diet. Meat, cheese, eggs, vegetables (mostly raw), no bread, pasta or other complex carbs. Surprisingly, my cholesterol even went down although I was eating all the stuff that supposed to be bad for it. The bad news is that it's a boring diet, but I lost about 15 lbs of fat fairly quickly. Not bad considering I can no longer exercise to any appreciable degree.

Trust me, it will get worse as you get older too. My metabolism rate is nothing to what it used to be. I can honestly say that I eat about 40% of what I did 30 years ago. It sucks big time, but I learned I cannot snack and I can't sit and eat a meal until I'm "full". But that time, I've already over eaten.

But there is no magic bullet. Like Switch said, exercise more and watch what you eat, that's the only thing that works.

[mobrien316]

You also might want to have a doctor check your thyroid function. Sometimes a very slow metabolism is the result of an underactive thryroid.

[MikeG]

Any of you guys know of a vitamin suppliment, or just a suppliment in general that will help boost metabolism? I'm begining to wonder if I'm not burning calories and fat at a quick enough rate. Any suggestions?

Also, I'd prefer something that is safe, and not at risk for shrinking my testicals anymore than they are.

Many thanks in advance.

I'm probably not the best guy to answer this but I find that when I eat is important too.

Eating small meal early in the day (protein bar or similar) and smaller meals through the day. opposite to switch, I was told complex carbs were okay (fibrous vegetables) but simple carbs were bad (starches, sugars). Someone also told be that potatoes and pasta were "complex" carbs so maybe that's why complex would be bad.

Here's the theory they told me: If you eat simple carbs, your body will spike insulin and store all the energy as fat. Then you crash. Caffeine can also spike your insulin. Calories in the form of protein don't spike insulin so they tend not to crash. Second, starving your body puts it into starvation mode. If you eat one or two meals a day, your body will shut itself down and store those calories. Eating smaller meals helps keep it out of that mode and actually increases your metabolism. That's the theory anyway. My own experience is that if I skip breakfast, I am not hungry and can not eat all day. If I eat a protein bar first thing, I am starving in about two hours. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing but I'd like to think it's because I am burning the calories after eating.

And if that doesn't work, legal crank is called "Phentermine".

And HGH isn't a steroid .

[MikeG]

You also might want to have a doctor check your thyroid function. Sometimes a very slow metabolism is the result of an underactive thryroid.

I was hoping I'd have an excuse, too. Nope.

[Switchback]

I'm probably not the best guy to answer this but I find that when I eat is important too.

Eating small meal early in the day (protein bar or similar) and smaller meals through the day. opposite to switch, I was told complex carbs were okay (fibrous vegetables) but simple carbs were bad (starches, sugars). Someone also told be that potatoes and pasta were "complex" carbs so maybe that's why complex would be bad.

Here's the theory they told me: If you eat simple carbs, your body will spike insulin and store all the energy as fat. Then you crash. Caffeine can also spike your insulin. Calories in the form of protein don't spike insulin so they tend not to crash. Second, starving your body puts it into starvation mode. If you eat one or two meals a day, your body will shut itself down and store those calories. Eating smaller meals helps keep it out of that mode and actually increases your metabolism. That's the theory anyway. My own experience is that if I skip breakfast, I am not hungry and can not eat all day. If I eat a protein bar first thing, I am starving in about two hours. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing but I'd like to think it's because I am burning the calories after eating.

And if that doesn't work, legal crank is called "Phentermine".

And HGH isn't a steroid .

You are right about the carbs... that will teach me to try and rattle off a response when on the run. Also, I would liek to give props to something else that you said (and that I completely forgot)... smaller, more frequent meals are always better. You would be far better with 5-6 small meals v. 3 large ones.

[cntryboy0531]

I have been making progress with a diet and exercise. I've been running, and cutting back on the amount of food I eat (lower calorie intake), and overall eating better. I still eat some carbs, but I'm not eating what I used to. Just feels like progress has been hung up. I've actually had a hard time dropping below the 220 line. I can get to that point, and it feels like I can't get under it for some reason. My goal is to be between 190-200.

Oddly enough, working nights on traffic has been great for exercise. I get home in the morning and run for half an hour. Have more time for it now than when I was on days.

Guess I can give the "have a small meal in between your regular ones" a shot to see if it helps.

Crank is not an option. Meth mouth is unsexy.

[canuckofapeach]

Just to be on the safe side, go to your doctor and have some blood work done. Check to see if your thyroid and blood sugar levels are normal. As mentioned, try to eat small meals or 'graze' throughout the day rather than subsisting on the 3 meals a day routine. Be very mindful of portion size, too.

[Ispbear]

It's called your getting older.

Hint - It Sucks!!!

I use to be able to eat anything I wanted when I was in my 20's but now my 6 year old eats more than I do and I still gain weight. Exercise is the best thing to increase your metabolism, but you should get a complete physical from your doctor and make sure there are no medical issues that would be contributing to the problem. Just remember if they get the rubber gloves out and tell you to bend over, inform them that you'll pass on that part.

[MikeG]

I might be dating myself. One of the greatest cartoon strips of all time.

[cntryboy0531]

It's called your getting older.

Hint - It Sucks!!!

I use to be able to eat anything I wanted when I was in my 20's but now my 6 year old eats more than I do and I still gain weight. Exercise is the best thing to increase your metabolism, but you should get a complete physical from your doctor and make sure there are no medical issues that would be contributing to the problem. Just remember if they get the rubber gloves out and tell you to bend over, inform them that you'll pass on that part.

Actually, I am only 25, going on 26 in May. So hopefully age isn't playing a factor at this point. I really hope not. I'm not expecting to hit the "Food REALLY catches up to you point" until the mid 30's (or at least I hope not). I do get a yearly physical with blood work. The only issues I have there is high cholesterol. Blood sugar and thyroid are just fine.

I just want to get control on weight and stay a little lighter before I get to the time where it's really hard to take off the weight.

[SANE-A30]

All good points above, though I also drink green tea which has several other health benefits in addition to slightly increasing metabolism. I usually buy the Crystal Light brands (that taste less crappy than other brands) and mix in another flavored Crystal Light like lemonade or fruit punch. Taste pretty good with no sugar compromise.

Yeah I agree all good points, my brother inlaw is really into body building/training/dieting I will ask him if he has any tips....... Kimble I LOVE LOVE crystal light lemonade.. they make it at my work and i could literally drink it by the gallons I also just recently tried the sierra mist lemon lime soda with added REAL Lemons it is the best drink ever!

[SANE-A30]

Actually, I am only 25, going on 26 in May. So hopefully age isn't playing a factor at this point. I really hope not. I'm not expecting to hit the "Food REALLY catches up to you point" until the mid 30's (or at least I hope not). I do get a yearly physical with blood work. The only issues I have there is high cholesterol. Blood sugar and thyroid are just fine.

I just want to get control on weight and stay a little lighter before I get to the time where it's really hard to take off the weight.

yeah after 30 it is really hard to get the weight off, I agree with all the others watch what you eat and run walk go play tennis try a cardiac diet also