Win, Lose or Blog Weight Loss Competition

Win, Lose or Blog is a fun new competition designed by six lovely ladies who are on a mission to make blogland a healthier place. 

Each "season" of their competition will last eight weeks and each season they will choose eight new contestants.  Contestants will blog about their experiences and track their progress for all to see.  They will serve as an inspiration to all of us and hopefully they won't be the only ones who accept our challenge to start some healthy habits. 

Every Monday morning they will post the stats so followers can congratulate contestants who have done well and maybe give some encouragement for those that had a bad week.  In the end, the "biggest loser" will be determined by percentage of body weight lost.  The top three contestants will win some great prizes. 

Readers can also win prizes.  There are two ways to do so-
1) be the "biggest non-contestant-loser."  At the end of the competition we will ask for submissions.  You can do this by sending in 3 before pictures and 3 after pictures (a front shot, side shot, and shot of the numbers on your scale for each).

2) Simply by leaving comments!  Every comment on every post throughout the entire season will enter you for the chance to win two great prizes.  Every prize is worth at least $40!

Win, Lose or Blog will be posting all sorts of inspiration and tips throughout the contest.  Healthy recipes, fitness and nutrition information, and more.  Two of their team members are actually very knowledgeable fitness enthusiasts.  You'll have to stop by their "Meet the Team" page to see which. 

Thank you to Fawnda from Fireflies and Jelllybeans, Maria from Huff and Buff, Lindsey from Fitness for the Rest of Us, Sumo from Sumo's Sweet Stuff, and Holly from 504 Main for coming up with such a creative weight loss competition/blog!

How to Improve Metabolism to Lose Weight

Overview

Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the rate at which your body burns calories while at rest. Genetics has a large impact on your BMR. But did you know there are several other factors that play a role in your BMR? If you have a low BMR, you may find it difficult to lose weight and you probably feel tired more often than others. To increase your BMR, you
will need to make several small changes and stick with them. By increasing your metabolism you will be able to achieve your weight loss goals.


How to Improve Metabolism to Lose Weight

Step 1
Drink more water! Research shows people who drink between eight and twelve glasses of water a day have a higher metabolic rate than those who drink just four glasses. Since your body has to heat the water to you your core temperature, you will burn calories just from drinking water.

Step 2
Eat breakfast. I'm sure by now everyone knows they should eat breakfast, but many people don't. When you go to bed at night, your metabolism slows down. You haven't eaten in several hours, this is your body's way of protecting you from starvation. To raise your metabolism, you need to eat. Foods rich in fiber and protein will fill you up quicker and help you stay full longer.

Step 3
Eat more often. Rather than eating three large meals a day, eat six smaller meals (3 meals, 3 snacks). I know you are probably thinking, " if I eat more, I will gain more". It's actually quite the opposite. By skipping meals, you are telling your body that your are full. Skipping meals will slow your metabolism and lead to the storage of fat. The longer you go between meals, the more your body's metabolism slows down. Tip: Eat from a small plate or bowl. This way, you are eating less but tricking your mind into thinking you ate more then you actually did.

Step 4
Exercise. We all know exercise burns calories. It also helps to keep your metabolism raised for nearly an hour post-workout. In addition, exercise builds muscle, which is metabolically active tissue. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, your metabolism will go up.

Step 5
Consume more protein. Protein aids in the muscle-growth process, and muscle burns calories. Not to mention, protein will give you that satisfied feeling much longer then any other food. Choose lean meats and beans to get more protein without the extra fat.

Step 6
Drink caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant. and by adding this to your diet, your body increases its metabolic rate. If you have high blood pressure, you may want to consult with your physician. Those with high blood pressure should avoid energy drinks as they can increase your heart rate to an unsafe level. Think green tea or Oolong tea, which have added health benefits.