The human body is a fuel-burning machine. Day in and day out, your body requires fuel in the form of calories to digest food, move and make your organs function. It wants to use calories from fat, carbohydrates or protein. You want your body to use more fat and sugar to look better and feel healthier. Here are some ways to help your body target more fat and leave your muscle in tact.
- Eat More Protein
Once in the body, protein breaks down to amino acids, which are the building blocks for muscle. Muscle burns calories so the more muscle you gain, the more calories you will burn to support a muscle’s life. There are many recommendations for which level you should boost your protein in take to but many adults are not getting enough.
- Sleep 7 to 8 hours a night
Dysfunctional sleep patterns can altar your body’s ability to digest sugar and increase stress hormones, which eat away valuable muscle. Consistent lack of sleep also tends to harm the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain which control cravings, mood and sleep/wake patterns. Many people who correct their dysfunctional sleeping begin losing fat.
- Do Less Cardio
Too much cardio causes excessive stress and strain on the body, which increases inflammation. Excessive inflammation may cause the body to hold on to fat. Furthermore, excessive pain, stiffness and stress hormone increase the risk of injury, cravings and fat gain.
- Work the entire body
Most people have a favorite part of their body they enjoy working. Exercising the entire body from bottom to top will maximize your metabolism.
- Veggies, Veggies, Veggies
Our bodies perform thousands of processes every day. Vitamins and minerals are the fuel that keep those processes going. Magnesium, Zinc and Vitamin B are just a few of the elements that are necessary to target fat, boost hormones and increase energy in a way that keeps our metabolism high. Eat several cups of non-starchy vegetables every day.