Bodies come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Even if we are the exact same height as our neighbor, friend, or cubicle buddy, chances are our bodies are not going to look identical. Our metabolic rates are largely responsible for shaping our bodies, and our age, gender, the ratio of muscle to fat we carry, our eating habits, and the amount of exercise we get on a daily basis are all factors in our metabolism. With so many factors as influences, it's no wonder we are all so unique. It also explains why there are those folks who can eat anything they want without gaining a pound, and others who choose foods quite conscientiously and still find it difficult to trim down.

In addition to the variations created by diet and lifestyle, hormones, hormone receptors, and enzyme concentrations influence metabolic rates in men and women. Compared to females, males tend to have higher metabolic rates, and compared to men, women tend to naturally carry a higher percentage of healthy body fat.

As we age, it is natural that our metabolism begins to slow down. We begin to secrete less human growth hormone, which is responsible for "keeping us young," and subsequently, our metabolisms slows.

How can women increase metabolic rates?

It is well established that women tend to have higher percentages of body fat than men do, and women tend to store this fat in their hips and thighs. For a woman to boost her metabolism, she must make a commitment to daily exercise and a healthy, sound diet that includes plenty of complex carbohydrates, high-quality protein, and nutritious, quality fats. Crash dieting is not effective, and in fact, it may harm one's metabolism in the long run. And processed foods, even when they claim to be "low-fat," are not the answer. Exercise is absolutely key to a healthy metabolism. Building lean muscle mass through exercise will help keep your metabolism humming along happily for a long time.

Is exercising in the morning better than other times of the day?

Maybe. Many studies done on exercise suggest that exercising in the morning is best because it will boost your metabolism for the bulk of the day. Research also tells us that people tend to stick to their exercise routines better when they establish a morning routine. That being said, if your schedule doesn't allow you to exercise in the morning, don't worry. It's just fine to take a bike ride before dinner. The point is to fit physical activity into your schedule consistently when you can. And exercising regularly can give you additional energy overall in your life. Remember: moving our bodies is critical to a having a healthy life! Exercising for 5 minutes DAILY will give you a life long gift.

As you continue to grow in your understanding of metabolism, rest assured that your body wants to be healthy and wants to work at its best. Experiment with foods. Experiment with different forms of exercise. Get support through friends or hire a coach. Whatever you do, keep striving for the body, and energy, you deserve.

Hope this helps! Let me know.

stay sunny,

Gregory