Can you boost metabolism?
 

I'm participating in a research study where yesterday they calculated the amount of calories my body burns at rest by having me breathe into a little helmet-tent, and then measuring the amount of carbon dioxide.

According to the research nurse, someone of my height and weight should require about 1750 calories a day just to keep the vital organs going. My test results, though, indicate that I only burn about 1430 calories a day resting. (And, I'm not in starvation mode. I don't eat a lot, but I eat fine.)

In a way, I'm a marvel of evolution, since my body is geared to get by on fewer calories. On the other hand, I'd rather burn a few more so I can lose 5 or have a little ice cream. Can you boost metabolism naturally (no caffeine or energy supplements)? Fartlek training maybe?

Drink ice water.
It takes quite a few calories to warm water up to 98.6 from, say, 35.

tell us what you find. I heard exercise helps one burn extra calories. As far as boosting your natural burn, we'd have to inquire with the physicians on board.

aren't you fairly athletic? I would have expected you too burn more than that. Weren't you going out and running in the freezing cold? or was that someone else. Maybe your metabolism said screw this and is taking the year off. I would if you made be go out and run in the cold.

It seems to me the more active you are the more your base metabolism rises, because your body gets conditioned to burning calories and just keeps on doing it even when you stop activity. maybe their methods for measurements aren't really as good as they thought they were and you use your oxygen more efficiently and thus skew the results.

You are pretty skinny and don't have a ton of lean muscle mass. Put on more muscle and you will boost your metabolism.

ISn't that different? You are suggesting he add mass to increase the amount of calories consumed. He is asking abotu increasing his metabolic rate (the set point theory stuff) as I understand it. Adding muscle will clearly allow consumption of more claories. Changing the metabolic rate is iffy, based on what I have read.

I didn't say my opinion was scientific. It was just my opinion. Add muscle mass, increase metabolism.

LOL.

I don't know if I would call myself "althletic," but I do run a lot and am in very good cardiovascular shape (resting heart-rate is around 50). That's why I was so stumped.

Mike hit upon something I had forgotten. Adding muscle mass will increase caloric burn.

I've heard a meth addiction will raise your metabolism substantially. If you're ok with paranoia, hallucinations, aggression and open sores, you could try that.