How to Quicken Your Metabolism

Metabolism is the process in which your food and beverage consumption is converted into energy. Even at rest, a body needs energy for things such as breathing and blood circulation. Your body uses a certain amount of calories for each bodily function. This is known as basal metabolic rate, and 60 to 70 percent of all calories used each day are from this process. You also burn calories when digesting food or engaging in physical activity. If you feel your metabolism is slow, don't despair. There are ways to quicken your metabolism and burn more calories.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat breakfast every day. Your metabolism slows down during sleep. Eating causes it to speed up a bit. Eating breakfast increases your chances of burning calories during the day.

• 2

  Lift weights to build muscles. The Mayo Clinic states that muscles burn more calories than fat. Aim for at least two weightlifting sessions a week. Your muscles' added calorie requirement can quicken your metabolism.

• 3

  Perform interval training during cardio workouts. For instance, if you jog for 30 minutes, add a 30 second sprint into the routine every 5 minutes. This increases your metabolism because you are pushing your body to work harder.

• 4

  Keep your body hydrated. Mild dehydration can slow the metabolism down. Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain fluids, so snack on them instead of chips.

• 5

  Eat properly. Munch on small snacks throughout the day. Your metabolism keeps working when you munch on frequent small snacks because your body is digesting food, thus burning calories. Try to eat a small snack every few hours. Snack on healthy foods such as yogurt or fruit. Choose chicken or fish, which contain protein, for lunch or dinner. Amino acids in protein increase your metabolism because your body has a harder time breaking them down.