Boost Your Metabolism

By Cliff Walsh


Your metabolism is a key driver of your weight and ability to lose unwanted weight. Most overweight people think they just naturally have a slow metabolism. Some people actually do while others are operating below their peak rates and just don't know there are things they can do to kick start their metabolic rates. This article will provide many important steps you can take to get your metabolism working in high gear.

While genes and age impact everyone's metabolism, a substantial amount of our metabolic rate is under our own control. These action steps are the focus of this article, which are research based and all natural ways to boost your metabolism.

Lean protein is a huge piece of the puzzle when looking to boost metabolism. The body uses more calories to break down and use the energy from protein more than fat or carbohydrates, by a wide margin. This rate can be as high as 30% while carbohydrates are between 5% and 10% and fates are below 5%. I recommend eating one gram of protein per pound of body weight in order to really rev up your metabolic rate.

I highly recommend increasing your water intake. First, it will help your kidneys better digest your increased consumption of protein from the previous step. But it also has its own metabolic kicker of its own. Dehydration can limit proper functioning of metabolism so proper hydration is necessary. Drink an ounce of H2O for every pound you weight. Add a cup of water for every fifteen minutes of exercise you do during the day. Ice water can take your water consumption up another level as it adds the thermo effect to the aforementioned benefits. Cold water needs to be warmed up to match the temperature of the rest of your body.

Smaller, more frequent meals can also play a key role. I recommend six meals per day. Your body will burn more calories by kickstarting the digestion process more frequently throughout the day. It is also important to try to eat a serving of protein with every meal. Consistency is also key. Eating six meals one day and three the next can impact your metabolic rate. Skipping meals is dangerous for your metabolism. It is important to eat a high protein meal early in the morning to get your metabolism running again after a night of fasting.

Eat whole foods while avoiding refined/processed products to avoid chemicals, and the typical unhealthy trio of sugar, fat, and salt that often come with process foods. If you do eat processed foods, be sure to read food labels and ingredients lists to make sure it's somewhat healthy and to avoid dangerous additives like high fructose corn syrup, which can mess with your insulin response and cause you to eat more. Preservatives can also cause digestion issues, among other serious heath conditions.

Muscle and exercise play a huge part in your metabolic rate. Muscle burns more calories than fat on your body. Also, weight lifting can be very metabolic, sometimes boosting your rate for up to 48 hours. In order to do this, it is important to push yourself to failure on each exercise, choosing a weight that will drive you to failure before 12 reps with 8 to 10 reps being ideal. HIIT or high-intensity interval training is also a great cardio method to boost your metabolic rate. Thirty seconds to a minute of sprinting followed by up to a minute of jogging or walking can really rev up your metabolism in 20 to 30 minutes.

If you want your metabolism, brain, and overall body to function at its best, it is important to get a good night's sleep. Although sleep may not impact metabolism directly, a lack of it can cause you to crave unhealthy foods and skip workouts. Get the proper rest.

There are other things you can add to your diet that can aid in boosting your metabolism. In addition to protein intake, unsaturated (healthy) fats help, as do spicy foods, green tea, and caffeine. Quick fixes rarely work.




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