![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/261\/2012\/05\/207166_10150566829270537_758175536_18018906_565319_n1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>You are doing well eating a moderate amount of low glycemic foods and stepping up your exercise.\u00a0 Since you are spending more fuel than you are taking in, your autopilot becomes concerned.<\/p>\n\u201cFuel supplies are low,\u201d he radios to the rest of the team. \u201cBring out the emergency supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n
You have plenty that you packed away last Christmas, so that\u2019s no problem. But getting it out IS a problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cSend us the key to the fat cells,\u201d the blood supplies signals.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t have it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The \u201ckey\u201d is a specific amino acid, found in red meats, dairy products, and a few other sources.\u00a0 But you have been avoiding those since they are high in calories or maybe you are lactose intolerant, and so the amino acid isn\u2019t available from your diet.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right,\u201d the autopilot says, \u201cWe don\u2019t have the key.\u00a0 Get the amino acid from the muscles.\u201d<\/p>\n
The muscles protest. \u201cWe\u2019ll shrink,\u201d they say. \u201cYou can\u2019t afford to cannibalize us\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, all right,\u201d the harassed autopilot says. \u201cI\u2019ll slow things down so we use as little as possible. But give it up, because we have to get the fat supply out of storage.\u201d<\/p>\n
The muscles reluctantly give up the amino acid and shrink a bit in the process.\u00a0 The amino acid unlocks the doors to the cells and lets out the fat stores.\u00a0 You are delighted to see the drop in\u00a0 numbers on the scales. However, you may not be aware that while a percentage of that loss is fat, you have also lost muscle. Continuing on with the same scenario means more muscle loss as you burn up the fat stores — and a slower metabolism and consequent slower fat loss because the autopilot is trying his best to preserve your muscles.<\/p>\n
Eating the right protein can fix that problem.\u00a0 I personally use a whey protein powder that contains the specific amino acid — minus the casein which causes problems to those of us who are lactose intolerant.<\/p>\n
When you have that amino acid available, you have handed your body the keys to open the doors to release the fat stores.\u00a0 Your muscles are spared, and your loss is almost all fat.\u00a0 Your autopilot isn\u2019t alarmed about using up your muscles, so your metabolism speeds up instead of slowing down.<\/p>\n
One of the sources I read said that eating a high protein breakfast, like eggs, can speed up\u00a0 your metabolism by 65%, compared to a high carbohydrate breakfast, like a bagel.<\/p>\n
So pack in the proteins.\u00a0 If dairy is a problem, you may want to check into a protein powder.\u00a0 Buy it from a reputable company, though, and check out the labels.\u00a0 Remember, it\u2019s the casein that causes problems with lactose intolerance, so make sure it has been removed.\u00a0 Also, make sure it doesn\u2019t contain extra ingredients like sugar.<\/p>\n
Adding more protein to your diet also has the advantage of satisfying your hunger so you are content with fewer calories.\u00a0 And I believe the whey protein powder I use is an important factor in my personal bone health. A recent bone density test showed I have stronger bones than 99% of women my age.<\/p>\n
Those are all good reasons to add protein to your diet — besides the fact that is can rev up your metabolism!<\/p>\n
Eating to live and living for Christ,<\/p>\n
Susan Jordan Brown<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
How do you rev up your sluggish metabolism?\u00a0 Try packing in the protein. \u00a0 Numerous studies have shown that eating fewer carbs and emphasizing proteins help with weight loss, blood sugar issues, and cardiovascular health.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go inside our bodies to take a look at why this is true. You are doing well eating a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":423,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,68],"tags":[440,66,447,446,190],"class_list":["post-1536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-eating-plan","category-encouragement","tag-autopilot","tag-fat-loss","tag-fat-stores","tag-muscles","tag-protein"],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/a>You are doing well eating a moderate amount of low glycemic foods and stepping up your exercise.\u00a0 Since you are spending more fuel than you are taking in, your autopilot becomes concerned.<\/p>\n