You can control some aspects of metabolism while others are simply out of your hands. According to the May issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, you can control some aspects of metabolism while others are simply out of your hands. Anabolic metabolism is the constructive phase, during which nutrient compounds are converted into substances the body can use. In the catabolic phase, substances are reconverted into simpler compounds, releasing the energy needed to keep the body going.
Metabolism is measured in calories.
Your BMR typically accounts for more than half the number of calories you burn in a day. As you age, your BMR decreases at a rate of about 2 percent each decade, making it harder to maintain your ideal weight. However, BMR declines as a result of lost muscle mass, so working hard to keep your muscles in shape will fend off this metabolic decline. In fact, using strength training to increase your lean muscle mass is one of the best ways to boost metabolism and lose weight. More information on metabolism, including instructions for calculating your BMR, is available in Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.