Fitness Forum - Unorthodox Way of Increasing Metabolism

Lifestyle > Fitness Forum > Unorthodox Way of Increasing Metabolism

Q: Unorthodox Way of Increasing Metabolism

asked by: llbsatcc22 on April 11th, 2004

New User

Hello everyone. Thanks for reading this. Hopefully someone can help me out with my question. I know it's lengthy, but all information is pertinant.

I am a 22 year old male, 5'8" tall, and I weigh between 175 lbs and 180 lbs. I am currently on probation for a dwi, although I have stopped drinking now. In addition, while I have been on probation I have been using marijuana, which I know was obviously a bad decision, however I have stopped that as well. I now understand how hard addiction is, and how I let these drugs control me. I voluntarily admitted to my probation officer that I had been using marijuana, although I was not completely honest with her about the length I had been using marijuana. I have a drug test coming up at the end of this month, and I am ready to accept whatever punishment is handed down to me. However, I am currently trying to eliminate as much thc from my body as quickly as possible, because the lower the reading, the better off I will be. So, there is the background for my question....

I know that exercise and raising the metabolism is a method which speeds up the elimination of thc from the body, because thc is stored in fat, and by exercising and raising the metabolism the body burns fat, thereby reducing thc levels.

By looking at my body weight/height ratio (180 lbs/5'8") you can probably tell I have a slower than average metabolism, which coupled with the amount of excess body fat is not exactly a recipe for speedy thc elimination. I have begun exercising every day now, and for the past few days I have started the low-carbohydrate diet, which always makes me lose weight quickly. In addition, I only eat one meal a day, usually around 3pm or so.

Something I read this morning, though, gave me cause to believe that I might not be approaching this the right way. I read that to increase the metabolism, you need to intake larger amounts of calories, and by eating a light diet, the metabolism actually slows down.

Now, I take 36mg of concerta (time released ritalin, prescribed by my doctor) in the morning, and I know that ritalin is, for all practical purposes, controlled speed. I know that these 'uppers' increase the metabolism, so I have that going for me.

Basically, I need to know, given my stats, an effective and safe way of increasing my metabolism as much as possible.

Judging on the information I read this morning, please tell me if this is an effective way of raising the metabolism (this example is based on what I have read, I came up with this idea, however it does not seem to me to be correct):

eating two to three low-fat meals a day while drinking increased amounts of regular soda, not diet soda, plus exercise, exercise, exercise. The low fat diet seems right since thc is stored in fat, so reducing fat intake seems to make sense. And drinking soda increases calorie intake without increasing fat intake. However, i've never heard of a diet where you are supposed to drink soda.

Could someone with a little more knowledge on the metabolism and what affects please help me sort through this information and help me develop a plan, as well as give me suggestions on what to avoid (besides drugs, or course Smile

i really appreciate you reading this lengthy post, and while you may not agree with why I need to raise my metabolism, please let me restate that I am fully aware how irresponsible I have been by using drugs, especially while on probation, and I am currently attending aa and na meetings to help me stay committed to staying clean and sober. Thanks!

Replies(9)

2ferano

replied on April 11th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Soda is not good for any diet. You need to eat more often, but just small meals. Eating once a day is not good to speed up metabolism. It does work for some people, but not many. And low-fat food is in general worse for you then regular full fat food. If you are currently on the low-carb diet, just stick to that. If you follow the atkins diet to a t, it will increase your metabolism dramatically. That is the only thing that ever worked for me.

But, if you have to have soda, drink diet. High calories aren't good unless you are trying to be a body builder or something.

hamishthornton

replied on April 11th, 2004

New User

An Idea!

Hi,

i have a basic knowledge of fitness etc. As I work in a gym. The most effective way to burn fat is via weight training, obviously your decission to do this depends on your desire to put on muscle. You dont have to do excess and become arny. You can increase muscle density by doing a weight where you fatigue after 6 reps. Thus burning fat but not dramatically increasing muscle size, (strength will increase though). Or a weight that fatigues you after about 10 reps. Will increase muscle size. Do two sets with a 30 second gap between (remember you may not be able to do all the reps the second time). There is a rise however that if you stop excersise totally after your tests etc. The muscle, over time (about 10months) will begin to convert back to fat! A light excersise once or twice weekly should help prevent this, as long as you get your heart rate above about 120bmp. Howevere to remain healthy for now, i.E. If you do do weights, dont cut out your other excersise, as otherwise your heart may be put understrain.

Re-diet, any diet which isnt substained will in the long run result in your body storing more fat. Unless you continue to live healthly. This is due to your body believing that it was being starved of food (thus using up fat reserves), so it stores more for any future 'starvation'.

You should have three light meals a day, one meal per day infact slows down metabolism!! And drink water, or an isotonic drink, which already has needed salts etc. This will help with your excersise.

Sorry about the length, its easier to say than write! In short, you will lose weight fastest by eating healthily, with sloghtly reduced amounts, 3 times a day (depending n how much u eat at the moment) by drinking water, (soda, has a lot of sugar in, thus fatty, diet soda has more sugar in, in fact, but a different sort, fewer calories but equaly bad for you). This will help in the short run, but a fast fat burning regime, can make fat size controle harder down the line.

Good luck, hamish

Kazeyama

replied on April 12th, 2004

New User

Metabolism/lifestyle

I agree that most of the "over the shelf" supplements are at the least worthless and at the worst very bad for you.
I am 48 years old and I bicycle a couple times a week for 50 to 60 miles on a cannondale r600 and the way I stay in shape is this:

1)i use the zone diet as a guideline for my meals
2)i take pure fish oil daily
3)i take a vitamin/mineral supplement daily
4)i take l-glutamine daily

the zone is not a "fad" diet or a weight loss scam. It really is a balanced diet based on your body fat % and your activity level. Learn about the zone here:
http://www.Zoneperfect.Com/site/content/in dex.Asp

cod liver oil contrary to popular belief and it's low cost is very bad. Learn about fish oil here:
http://store.Zoneperfect.Com/site/content/ omega3_order.Asp

the vitamin supplement I recommend is:
http://www.Dontforgettotakeyourvitamins.Co m/weller34900
these are the best and based on many scientists and doctors reasearch (not just my recomendation).

The l-glutamine I use is from twin labs.

I maintain a weight of about 150 lbs and a body fat % of 9% to 10% using these mentioned methods. My resting heart rate is down to 50 bpm and while riding at a cadence of 90 cpm my heart rate is 120

this will help you now and for the long run however you must make a concious decision to change your lifestyle. Of course you may substitute your choice of exercise for the cycling. The important thing is to raise your heart rate to 80% of max for at least 20 minutes at a time two to three times a week. If you dont know your preferred max rate I would say that 100bpm would be safe if you are in good health.

2ferano

replied on April 13th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Not all diets will fail. And contrary to popular belief, atkins is not a "fad" diet. Sure, it was not always called "atkins" this diet has been out for hundreds of years and is very affective. Sure, it is not going to work for 100% of people because of allergies and bodies being different. But, it does work. It worked for me and everyone I know who tried it and stuck with it. It is one of the few diets that allows your body to burn its stored fat. Your body will not store fat on this diet like the above post said.
Obviously you also need to work out. You will lose on atkins whether you work out or not, but for health reasons, you need to be active. This will also help you keep the weight off for good.

Kazeyama

replied on April 13th, 2004

New User

Reply to Hotasfrik

You are completely wrong about the zone diet. A person does not "store fat" on this diet. If you would only research before you make comments...
In short the zone is based on a persons body fat percentage and activity level. This determines the body's needed amount of protein and from this you can easily calculate the carbs and fat amounts needed with the 40/30/30 formula. I went from 15% body fat to 9% in two months with no other change than diet. I have been training in martial arts and bicycling for many years and along with this studying diet and nutrition. The statements I made are 100% safe and correct. To add to that this diet is absolutely the best for diabetics. One only needs to go to the site where Dr. Barry sears explains this in detail. There are also many good books on the subject.

2ferano

replied on April 13th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Kazemaya... For being 48 years old, you don't read very well!!!! If you would only read before you comment...... I did not say anything about a "zone" diet, so how can I be wrong?
Don't tell me to research before I comment. I have done plenty of research on the atkins diet and that is all that I commented on, so keep your opinions of me to yourself! And it is hotasfrick, so get it right.

Kazeyama

replied on April 13th, 2004

New User

You Read!

I did not say anything in my original post about your diet at all especially not that you will "store fat" on the atkins diet you are the one who needs to read before firing up you keyboard.

Furthermore the whole idea behind this forum is to share ideas and to assist each other in the learning experience. Your attitude toward my completly honest and wellment post is childish at least.

In short you posted your idea and I posted mine so leave it at that!

2ferano

replied on April 13th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

I posted an idea for the original poster to try. I stated absolutely nothing about your post. Then, I read your reply (titled towards me) and it is telling me to research before I comment. I don't think so. I have been coming here and using this forum for quite sometime and have helped a lot of people. I do not need someone who cannot even spell correctly coming here and telling me what to do. The only thing that was childish was you getting all defensive about (what was it even about). I said nothing about you or your "zone".
Don't tell me to read before responding!!! I did. You don't. Once again, I never said that you said my diet "stores fat" the person who posted above you said that most fad diets "store fat." that is what I responded to. So, stop getting defensive and stop telling me what to do!
I don't care if you think I am childish or not. I have been coming here a lot longer then you and do not appreciate being attacked for no reason whatsoever.
So, you leave it at that!

purple333

replied on April 14th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Everyone is unique therefore a diet that works for me may not work for you. My daughter needs a specific carbohydrate diet as she has ibs, but there are some things on that diet that she can not eat that others on the same diet with the same health problems can eat. So I repeat we're all unique.

People do need to be more careful about what they post and about what they think others are saying/have said, hot never mentioned nor referred to the zone diet while I think kaz gets abit too into him/her? Self re what works for one person.

On the point of weight gain/loss, muscle tone & heart rate, my daughter lost 16kgs (about 37lbs) in less than 8 months while eating alot, exercising virtually not at all, yet her muscle tone & heart rate were spot on great, then she researched and went onto the ibs, scd & aside from changing what type & how much(reduced!!) she ate, & walking for 30-40 minutes each morning (no real heart rate increase with gentle walking) yet she gained almost all the weight back in 7 weeks!! Her muscle tone etc remains great. So again everyone is unique & has to find the foods, exercises (or lack thereof) & supplements that work for them.

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