Did you know that people with a higher metabolism have lots of energy and, generally, feel healthier on a daily basis than those with a slow metabolism? Your metabolism is the medical term for the chemical reactions that happen in your body constantly, but it’s often used to refer to the rate at which your body converts energy (like from food or stored fat). This is also called your metabolic rate.
Some people might naturally have a higher metabolism, but even if you don’t, there are several things you can do to boost your metabolic rate so that you too can enjoy the benefits!
Benefits of Boosting Your Metabolism
Why would you want to boost your metabolism? Here are a few of the very best reasons to increase your metabolic rate:
- Lose more weight
- Feel more relaxed and have more energy
- Stabilize your blood sugar
- Burn fat, even when you’re resting
How to Boost Your Metabolism
Eat better
Make sure to eat plenty of protein! That includes chicken, lean beef, turkey, and fish, as well as beans and dairy like cheese and milk. Make sure to try to replace things like canola oil and peanut oil with healthier fats like olive oil or avocado oil. Finally, make sure you’re eating plenty of veggies! The fiber in most vegetables causes your digestive system to work a little harder, and will therefore boost your metabolism, to process these foods.
Build muscle
Studies show that those who work to build their muscles will have a higher metabolism. The reason for this is that when you lift something heavy, your muscle is actually breaking down and then working to repair itself to be stronger and better than it was before. So that means when you do a few repetitions of arm curls with the milk jug in the morning, the fibers in your biceps are burning calories while repairing the muscle fibers long after you’ve finished that glass of milk.
Spice up your life
Adding spices to your food can is a great low-calorie way to improve the flavor of the food you have. In particular, spicy foods will boost your metabolism. Try adding any of the following to your meals:
- Ginseng
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cinnamon
- Black Pepper
- Turmeric
- Mustard
- Cumin
- Ginger
Get regular aerobic exercise
Many times people are intimidated by aerobic exercise, but it doesn’t have to be something that stresses you out! Any activity that gets your heart beating for 20 minutes or more will be great! Dance with your partner, go for a walk, take a swim, or try a fitness class at your local recreation center!
Drink more water
Did you know that most of us walk around nearly dehydrated? Things like caffeinated beverages and alcohol have a dehydrating effect and it makes it harder for the body to function properly! And when it comes to your metabolism, when you’re properly hydrated you feel fuller, longer. This reduces the number of calories that your body has to burn (because you’ll eat less) and helps your body focus its energy on burning calories, rather than going into overdrive to compensate for loss of water.
Have you tried any of these tips? What works well for you?
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