Category: Brown Fat

If you store your leftovers in plastic, keep old receipts lying around or think nothing of eating an unwashed grape or two, you could be exposing yourself to chemicals that impede weight loss. "These substances slow your metabolism and increase appetite or alter hormones such as estrogen in the body to cause weight gain," says Scott Isaacs, M.D., an endocrinologist and author of Beat Overeating Now!

Ah, the M word. If you were lucky enough to hit the genetic jackpot and score a metabolism that burns calories at lightning speed, then hey, good for you! But for the rest of us, here are some easy ways to supercharge your metabolism.