Metabolism

Even while resting, a body will burn energy. What determines how much is burned, is the body's metabolism. When a person walks or runs or does anything, the metabolism increases. This is what makes exercise so effective at burning fat. Metabolism. But there is a residual benefit. This is that exercise causes the metabolism to increase for many hours after the exercise period. So, even at rest, the body will be burning fat for several hours, up to 24 hours according to some studies.

Think of metabolism as the gas pedal in a car. When you step on the gas, more gas is burned. A higher metabolism causes more fat to be burned in the body's muscles.

This week, Bill and Rhonda spent time at the homes of some of their children. Despite their childrens' conscientious use of whole wheat and being mindful of fats and refined carbohydrates, Bill only lost one pound, at 249 pounds, and Rhonda gained two pounds, coming in at 240 pounds. Actually, Rhonda binged on some banana bread two times this week.

Their set point scores this week were not that great, either.

Rhonda: (F) 75 (S) 100 (S) 30 (M) 90 (T) 100 (W) 86 (T) 50 (F) 50

Bill: (F) 75 (S) 100 (S) 30 (M) 100 (T) 100 (W) 100 (T) 75 (F) 75

[Note for Valerie, Brandon, Emily, and David: Your meals were perfect! It was the lack of exercise that pulled the scores down. And Bill and Rhonda slept in on Friday and did not go to the gym, therefore that pulled down the scores for the other “off” days (Sunday and Thursday,) as well.]

Next week will be the all-important monthly measurements, which are a more telling indicator of progress.