More on Metabolism....

     We're very excited because Stefani arrives tomorrow and will be with us for seven days. We're looking forward to enjoying a great 4th of July together, and it's the first time she will participate in this Birch Bay event! We will barbecue some steak, and I'll make mock potato salad using my new recipe with cauliflower instead of daikon radish. The one I made with the radish was not very tasty. Actually, the problem was the texture, so I'm trying cauliflower.  In any case, we had an excellent week. I'm still attending Zumba classes and added a yoga class on Thursday afternoon. I will probably begin doing yoga every day at home in the evening like I did before because I struggled with the yoga class and obviously need to build core strength. I'm still trying to increase my metabolism even though nothing is changing with my weight loss. However, it is probably too soon to tell. I'm using the following suggested metabolic boosters, but my weight loss remains extremely slow: 

1. Protein-rich foods because protein requires more energy to digest than fats or carbohydrates, leading to a temporary increase in metabolism.
2. Green tea because it contains compounds like catechins and caffeine that may help increase metabolism for a short period.
3. Spicy foods because capsaicin, a compound found in chili peppers, may temporarily increase metabolism and enhance fat burning.
4. Iron supplements to ensure adequate iron levels to support a healthy metabolism.
5.  B vitamins because they play a crucial role in energy metabolism. While they don't directly boost metabolism, they help convert food into energy efficiently.
6. Omega-3 fatty acids because they also support metabolism by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing inflammation. I use fish oil capsules and chia seeds.
7. I drink lots of water because staying hydrated is essential for optimal metabolism. Also, some studies suggest that drinking water temporarily increases the number of calories burned.

I hope to speed up my weight loss, but I'll survive even if it remains slow. I feel great, which is really what counts.  Still, I want to meet my goal by September.  We'll see.