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There are a lot of people who would give a lot to increase their metabolism. Having a high level of metabolism enables the body to maintain the burning of fat and lose weight rapidly with the least amount of physical exercise. Metabolism is the process by which the body produces and consumes energy and calories in order that the body can function.

Many factors affect the metabolism of a person, such as the percentage of muscle tissue, the frequency of the meals that get eaten, hereditary factors, levels of stress, personal diet and activity levels. Metabolic rate is slowed down by the following: loss of muscle tissue lack of physical exercise, the tendency of the body to absorb its own tissue because there is not enough food energy to sustain it, and the decrease of physical activity that comes naturally with old age.

Here are several ways to raise one's metabolism:

1. Build up a lean, mean body mass. It is inevitable that metabolism decreases as we get older, but it is possible to minimise the effects. The percentage of muscle tissue that a person has is a prime determinant in their ability to burn calories and lose weight. So it goes without saying that building muscle is essential. Strength and resistance should be developed by a regular exercise program, preferably with weights. Do light exercises in between the full workouts. Light exercise such as walking instead of driving short distances and using the stairs in place of the elevator can all help to take off calories. The key is to match the input of calories to the amount of calories that you burn off.

Here are some guidelines in getting the right exercise:

To develop muscle tissue -Gradually increase the amount of repetitions of a particular exercise. -Raise the level of resistance -Use advance exercise techniques if this is possible. You may need to consult a professional trainer

For cardiovascular exercise -Add rest periods between exercises -Perform cross-training and combine the exercises - Raise resistance and speed

2. Eat breakfast. A lot of people are ignoring the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Surprisingly, it has been found that those people who eat a meal at the start of the day are thinner than the ones who do not. The bodies metabolism can slow down considerably if breakfast is taken during mid-morning or if one waits until the afternoon to eat.

3. Eat less sugar. Sugar is used by the body to store fat. It is recommended that a person consumes food that helps sustain an even level of blood-sugar. Additionally, regular exercising 2-3 times a week should be able to stabilize the body's level of blood sugar.

4. Never skip meals. Although it would appear to be self evident that cutting out a meal will help you lose weight, but this is not true. The effect of skipping a meal is that it slows down your metabolism. In addition, missing a meal will make you more likely to snack between meals.

5. Change your diet. It may be surprising that eating can be good for you and help lower your weight! Any food that contains peppers can increase the metabolic rate. Higher metabolism means that the body can burn fat faster.

6. Sleep more. Studies have proved that people who miss out on their sleep are at the greatest risk of gaining weight. Also, muscle tissues are regenerated during the last couple of hours of slumber.

7. Drink more. Toxic by-products are produced whenever the body converts fat. Water flushes out these toxins that are produced. is a fact that, most of the bodily functions involves water, and lack of water causes the body system's operations to decrease its speed, and produces unneeded stress as a result.

8. Reduce the size of meals. The best advice is to consume 4 to 6 small meals intervals of every 2 or 3 hours. Eating less food is a major factor in reducing your calorie intake.

9. Eat Energy Foods. Include more energy foods in your daily diet. These energy foods include such items as fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains.

10. Make a detailed plan of your meals. Always get ready the right amount of food to be eaten at the designated intervals. Do not make the mistake of eating meals in sporadic patterns.

11. Relax! Stress, whether it is physical or emotional stress, triggers the release of a steroid called cortisol, which decreases metabolism. Chilling out will reduce the amount of cortisol in your body and so keep up your metabolic rate. Also, people tend to eat as a form of comfort when stressed.

12. Drink green tea. Green tea can be drunk instead of coffee. Green tea has the ability to raise your metabolic rate, and unlike coffee, it has no undesirable side effects when too much is consumed.

All that you need to reach your desired body weight is the determination and patience required to stabilize your metabolic level, which is so important in weight loss. If you can stabalise your metabolism then you can lose weight. The real key to successful weight loss is not just eating right and exercising, but changing your way of life.