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<h3 class="p2" style="text-align: center;">Many people blame their weight on a slow metabolism and even genetics, but what does that mean? Can you boost your metabolism to burn more calories?</h3>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Yes, but not all types of exercise will help you with this goal.</h4>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.choose2be.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Boost-your-metabolism-2-1.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1012 " src="http://www.choose2be.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Boost-your-metabolism-2-1-300x199.jpg" alt="Boost your metabolism- muscle help - weight training - Nanaimo Choose2be" width="216" height="143" /></a>Contrary to popular belief, excessive cardiovascular training like running, bik<a href="http://www.choose2be.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Boost-your-metabolism-1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1006" src="http://www.choose2be.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Boost-your-metabolism-1.jpg" alt="Boost your metabolism 1" width="1" height="1" /></a>ing, elliptical training at the gym - when combined with a reduced-calorie diet - further speeds the loss of muscle mass and slows down your metabolism. I witnessed that during the years I worked in a weight training room. I saw the same people doing the same cardio exercises for hours without any strength training, and they didn’t get the results they were looking for at all.  Either their bodies stayed the same year after year, or they even gained weight despite all their efforts.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">There are lots of "skinny fat" people: They may wear a small size jeans, but that doesn't make them strong or healthy. I once read a quote that people who do cardio to look good dressed up and they do strength training to look good in bathing suit (or naked!). That made me laugh, but it is also true.</p>

<h3 class="p2" style="text-align: center;">What is metabolism?</h3>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">Metabolism is the process in which your body converts what you put into your mouth into energy. Even when you are at rest your body needs energy for all basic functions such as breathing, adjusting hormone levels, growing, repair, circulating blood and digestion.  The number of calories your body needs to carry these basic functions is called basal metabolic rate, aka your "metabolism". Several factors determine your metabolism:</p>

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 	<li class="li1"><strong>Body size and composition</strong>; the more muscle you have the more calories you burn, even at rest.</li>
 	<li class="li1"><strong>Gender/sex</strong>; men usually have more muscle and less body fat than women, so they burn more calories</li>
 	<li class="li1"><strong>Age</strong>: as you get older you lose muscle mass so you burn fewer calories</li>
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<p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">I have been working in the Health and Fitness industry for almost 15 years. I worked in a weight training room for many years and most women that came asked for my help because they were afraid of gaining muscle mass. I often wonder why they were so afraid until I discovered some magazines in the 70's and 80´s of women working out. Most of them seemed to be on steroids, they looked more like men than women!</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">There are still many myths and misconceptions that need to be clarified about weight training. I need to reassure everyone out there, without steroids, gaining lean muscle mass is not easy. It is actually pretty difficult for most women to "bulk" up unless you are very serious about your training, train everyday and eat lots and lots of protein. It is important that you understand how to maintaining and building muscle mass not only boots your metabolism, but can do so much more for you.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">Your metabolism is not to be blamed for your weight: Ultimately your physi<a href="http://www.choose2be.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Boost-your-metabolism.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1007 size-medium" src="http://www.choose2be.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Boost-your-metabolism-300x217.jpg" alt="Boost your metabolism- muscle help - weight training - Nanaimo Choose2be" width="300" height="217" /></a>cal activity, food &amp; beverage intake will determine how much you weigh. There are some factors that we can't control to help our metabolism burn more calories; such as genetics, lifestyle, environment, sleep, stress. One factor that we can control is strength training to increase our muscle mass. The American Council on Exercise has found that the average person loses approximately one-half pound of muscle per year after the age of twenty. To even maintain the muscle you have today, you need to take action. If you don't know how to get started on your strength training journey; contact a <a href="http://www.choose2be.ca/nanaimo-personal-training/">personal trainer</a> or join a <a href="http://www.choose2be.ca/nanaimo-group-fitness-classes-bootcamp-yoga-zumba/">group fitness classes</a> that focus on strength building instead of cardio.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">If you need other reasons to increase your muscle mass, check my post about <a href="http://www.choose2be.ca/benefit-strength-training/">Benefit of Strength Training</a>.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">This is part of the <a href="http://www.choose2be.ca/product/8-week-online-register/"><span class="s1">8 week online program</span></a>.</p>

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