Reply #35: As you age, basal metabolism drops; exercising increases basal metabolism [View All]

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In particular, exercise increase muscle mass, and muscle tissue has a higher metabolism than fat tissue.

Exercise for lengthy periods without eating also lets you become reacquainted with what hunger really feels like.

People tend to eat by the clock, or to snack before they are really hungry. Part of keeping weight off is to not eat until you are actually hungry, and then east slowly with small portions to satisfy it.

Exercising out-of-doors is also beneficial. If it is cold, your body turns up the metabolism to stay warm, which burns more calories. If it is hot, your body sweats to keep cool, which also burns calories to force the water through the cell membranes and out your sweat glands.