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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>
<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 rest your body needs energy for all basic functions such as breathing, adjusting hormone levels, growing, repair, circulation blood, digestion.  The number of calories your body needs to carry these basic functions is called basal metabolic rate also called 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 80´s of women working out. Most of them seemed to be on steroids looking more like men than women. There are still many myths and misconceptions that need to be clarified. Its so important to understand how muscle mass can not only help boost your metabolism but can do so much more for you. First I need to reassure everyone out there, without steroids, gaining lean muscle mass is not that easy. Actually its 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.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">Your metabolism is not to be blamed for your weight, ultimately your physical 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. Did you know that after age 20, you lose approximately one-half pound of muscle per year, reports the American Council on Exercise.  If you don't know how to get your strength training journey; contact a <a href="http://www.choose2be.ca/personaltraining/">personal trainer</a> or join a <a href="http://www.choose2be.ca/group-fitness-classes/">group fitness classes</a> to help you boost your metabolism.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">If you need other reasons to increase your muscle mass, check my post about Benefit of Strength Training.</p>

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