Question about "getting your metabolism going"

SarahIluvatariel

Hi, all.

I can't count how many times I've heard someone say "You should eat breakfast because it gets your metabolism going".

Usually they say this as a tip for losing weight. And I think they mean if I just sit around all day doing nothing.

I have never had any biology classes, so I'm probably quite uninformed about metabolism stuff... But I'm just wondering how much truth there is to that. Or if it's just hear-say.

Actually, I care LESS about the question of eating affecting metabolism, and MORE about the question of exercise affecting metabolism: wouldn't that get your metabolism going, too?

I usually go to the gym on weekday mornings. Is that equally (or more) effective at "getting your metabolism going" than eating breakfast? (Don't worry, I eat enough for breakfast (some pre-gym, and some post-gym) anyways.)

And doesn't your metabolism "just work" all the time? I mean... I'm still alive, right? It's not like it shuts off while I'm sleeping. I'm simply not doing much to REQUIRE calories. Are people really telling me that I'll burn more calories simply by eating more calories? (and I'm asking: won't I born more calories simply by making myself use more calories?)

Or is metabolism and calorie-burning not really apples to apples?

Anyways... It sounds like a good idea to get my metabolism going... (if that increases calorie burn) as opposed to it still thinking I'm sleeping. So what's REALLY the best way to do that? breakfast or working out? or both? or is this all a straw-man argument and there's really no such thing?

Thanks!

LoraF83

And doesn't your metabolism "just work" all the time?

Yes, it does. It doesn't shut off and it doesn't need to be restarted.

Meal timing is about personal preference. You eat before you work out.....or not. Whatever makes you feel best. The same goes for breakfast. Do what works for you and fits your lifestyle.

SarahIluvatariel

Thanks!

I also just saw this post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1048135-you-can-t-boost-your-metabolism which had some good links in it.

Showcase_Brodown

Hi, all.

I can't count how many times I've heard someone say "You should eat breakfast because it gets your metabolism going".

Usually they say this as a tip for losing weight. And I think they mean if I just sit around all day doing nothing.

I have never had any biology classes, so I'm probably quite uninformed about metabolism stuff... But I'm just wondering how much truth there is to that. Or if it's just hear-say.

Actually, I care LESS about the question of eating affecting metabolism, and MORE about the question of exercise affecting metabolism: wouldn't that get your metabolism going, too?

I usually go to the gym on weekday mornings. Is that equally (or more) effective at "getting your metabolism going" than eating breakfast? (Don't worry, I eat enough for breakfast (some pre-gym, and some post-gym) anyways.)

And doesn't your metabolism "just work" all the time? I mean... I'm still alive, right? It's not like it shuts off while I'm sleeping. I'm simply not doing much to REQUIRE calories. Are people really telling me that I'll burn more calories simply by eating more calories? (and I'm asking: won't I born more calories simply by making myself use more calories?)

Or is metabolism and calorie-burning not really apples to apples?

Anyways... It sounds like a good idea to get my metabolism going... (if that increases calorie burn) as opposed to it still thinking I'm sleeping. So what's REALLY the best way to do that? breakfast or working out? or both? or is this all a straw-man argument and there's really no such thing?

Thanks!

There is absolutely nothing special about breakfast that will get your metabolism going. It goes all the time.

Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) goes all the time, basically accounting for the energy you are using for things like heartbeat, breathing, just keeping your body going, not counting any physical activity. You use an astounding number of calories doing nothing every day.

There are extra energy requirements for moving around. You "raise" your metabolism when you are exercising because you are using energy above and beyond what you are using just laying there doing nothing. You don't need to do anything special to let your metabolism know you are awake. It's already providing the energy.

Don't worry about speeding up your metabolism, because there is little to nothing you can actually do for that. It's wasted effort. Eating the right number of calories for the body and goals you have is the most important thing you can do.

SarahIluvatariel

Great. Thanks!

trogalicious

And doesn't your metabolism "just work" all the time?

Yes, it does. It doesn't shut off and it doesn't need to be restarted.

Meal timing is about personal preference. You eat before you work out.....or not. Whatever makes you feel best. The same goes for breakfast. Do what works for you and fits your lifestyle.

Again, Lora beat me to it.



There's no "special metabolism boosting" food either.

ash8184

The best thing you can do to help yourself is to build muscle because muscle burns more calories than fat does. So make sure you're lifting weights with your cardio!

SarahIluvatariel

Great things to know, everyone. Thanks so much!

Ash - Yeah, I have a personal trainer in the afternoons and lift weights then.

neandermagnon

And doesn't your metabolism "just work" all the time?

Yes, it does. It doesn't shut off and it doesn't need to be restarted.

which is a good thing too, because if it stopped, you'd be dead. And if it restarted again after that.... well, Lazarus springs to mind...

SarahIluvatariel

And doesn't your metabolism "just work" all the time?

Yes, it does. It doesn't shut off and it doesn't need to be restarted.

which is a good thing too, because if it stopped, you'd be dead. And if it restarted again after that.... well, Lazarus springs to mind...

lol.