5 Simple Tips To Increase Your Metabolism
What exactly is “metabolism”? We hear the term thrown around in phrases like, “I’m trying to lose weight, but I have a slow metabolism,” and, “She eats so much but has a fast metabolism, so she never gains weight.”
Metabolism is the rate at which your body burns the amount of energy, usually measured in calories, in order to maintain itself. “Speeding up your metabolism” is actually increasing the volume of calories and the rate at which your body needs to burn those calories, for normal daily activities.
An increased metabolism can lead to increased energy, quicker fat burning, and fewer health risks.
Here are 5 Tips to help increase your metabolism:
(1) Eat small and frequent meals: Try to eat 4-6 small meals a day. When we eat a large meal and then fast for an extended time, our bodies go into “starvation mode”. They try to turn whatever calories we have from our previous meal into fat and store them for later use. Eating multiple small meals during the day will allow your body to use all the energy from these meals immediately, making you feel healthier, more energized, and more productive.
(2) Drink plenty of water: Your liver plays an important role in your metabolism. It also plays an important role in water-retention. If you don’t drink enough water everyday, your liver will have to spend value time and resources storing water for later use. However, if you do drink enough water daily, your liver will be able to focus on your metabolism. Try to stick to the 8 oz. of water, 8 times a day plan.
(3) Exercise: Any exercise helps to increase metabolism, but aerobic exercises are best. Try to do something that will get your heart-rate up and maintain it at a higher level for 20-30 minutes. You can try walking briskly around your town or block a few times, go for a jog, or even..
(4) Weight Training: Weight training is a long term metabolism increaser. Muscles require more calories daily than fat. Every new muscle cell you produce will help you increase your metabolism 24/7.
(5) Eat the right foods: Focus on complex carbohydrates and proteins. Unlike sugars and fats, these foods require more energy and work from your body to break down during digestion.
For fruits, stick to:
- apples
- blueberries
- watermelon
- grapefruit
- lemons
- limes
- oranges
- tangerines
- and more
For vegetables:
For meats:
- Duck
- Chicken
- Fish
- Turkey
