In the article, "Your Metabolism Rate", we were introduced to the fact that there are four major factors that influence your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). Remembering that your BMR accounts for up to 70% of the calories you burn on a daily basis, its smart to focus on increasing it if you want to continue to own a great body long term. In this article, we'll look at these factors in greater depth and touch on some tips you can use to increase your metabolism rate:

Age

Obviously this is a factor that increases naturally, and not something we can control (no matter how we might want to lie about it). The great thing for us is that we can easily overcome any disadvantages in age by influencing the BMR in other ways. So if you are over the age of 40 or 50, don't worry. With the information on this site, you won't have any problems achieving a faster metabolism rate than the average 20 year old.

Gender

Again, this is not a factor we can control. But it doesn't matter. Because if you are a woman, you want to ultimately look like a lean woman, not a lean man, so that's who you compare yourself to. By the same token, if you are a man, you want to look like a lean man, so you'll be comparing yourself to other men, not women.

So even though gender will influence the absolute value of the BMR, it's not something that matters in real life.

Genetics

Many people who are overweight blame their genetics for being fat. Study after study has showed that, yes, there are people who have advanced genetics when it comes to a higher metabolism rate. Some of these people can eat anything they want, as much as they want, and you still won't see any fat on them.

It's also true though, that although genetics may be an accelerator in some people, it is not a limiter for others. What I mean is that even if you have the worst genetics in the world. Even if you are extremely carbohydrate or fat sensitive, there is no genetic reason that will limit you from reaching your ideal weight if follow the right techniques.

Following the right lifestyle strategies will overcome any genetic barriers you face. And remember 'the right lifestyle strategies' depend on you. You have to be happy to carry them out day after day, otherwise they just won't last. And you'll learn how to create these strategies for you, right here as you go through this site.

Part of finding the right strategies for you is to find out more about yourself and what works and doesn't work for you. As part of this, you should know which type of body category you fall into. Let's have a look at different body types.

You fall into one of three body types, called samotypes. You are either an Ectomorph, a Mesomorph or an Endomorph.

• An Ectomorph has an extremely high BMR naturally, and burns calories, and hence fat very quickly. They are naturally slight and finely boned individuals. They have tremendous difficulty gaining weight and find it extremely hard to form large muscles. They tend to have a short upper body, long arms and legs, long narrow feet and hands. They basically store no fat, and generally have long thin muscles.
• A Mesomorph is genetically gifted individual because they tend to have the best of both worlds. They are lean, muscular, athletic types. They have a large chest, long torso, solid structure and are natural athletes. They find it easy to lose weight and gain weight (to build muscle). When they do work out, muscle growth and toning comes to them rapidly, and much more easily than say Ectomorphs. They also do not store fat as easily as Endomorphs.
• An Endomorph is a fat retainer. An endomorph finds it easy to put on weight (and muscle), but finds it very difficult to lose weight. Naturally they are large boned, and can be obese. They have a roundish face, short neck, wide hips and as already mentioned, store fat easily.

Generally speaking, most people are a mixture of all three samotypes, but are primarily one type. If you are on an exercise program, think about what category you'd fit in at a time when you weren't exercising regularly.

Now after reading that, and if you are an Endomorph, you may feel like you got the bad end of the stick. Just remember that genetics can be overcome with the right lifestyle.

Body Composition

Now here is the biggest factor that influences the BMR. And the best thing is: you can definitely control it.

In fact, any disadvantages in all the other factors combined will amount to nothing when you consciously decide to control your body composition. Your body composition simply refers to how your body is made up. What percentage of your overall weight is fat, muscle and so on.

Influencing your body composition comes down, simply, to two factors. What you eat and how you exercise.

But of course it's a lot more complicated than that in practice and you need to have a holistic, healthy weight loss plan based on scientific principles if you want to see permanent changes.

You have to know tips and strategies on what to eat, when to eat, how much to eat, how to prepare your meals, where to get your calories from and much more. When it comes to exercise you have to think about what sort of exercise, how often, at what intensity, for how long and so on.

And you have to know how everything you do influences your metabolism rate, both directly and indirectly. Because if you don't know that you might be doing more harm than good. You might be actually setting yourself to gain more fat than to lose fat (even if you reduce your eating).

It can be complicated, but it if you follow the tips on this web site in the appropriate sections, you'll have an action plan, no matter what disadvantages you have.