How to Increase Metabolism in 6 Easy Steps

Your metabolism is the rate that your body burns calories, and there are many ways to easily increase metabolism. By increasing your metabolism you are increasing the rate at which you burn calories, therefore, burning more calories no matter what you are doing and making it easier to lose weight.

Instructions

• 1

  Always Eat Breakfast

  The term Breakfast (break-fast), literally means that you are breaking your overnight fast, and it jolts your metabolism into action for the remainder of the day. Studies have also shown that people who eat breakfast tend to have fewer cravings for unhealthy food and are less hungry throughout the day.

• 2

  Never Skip Meals

  In order for your metabolism stay at its peak, it is best to continuously eat small meals throughout the day, about every 3 - 4 hrs. Skipping meals tends to slow your metabolism down because your body is rationing energy.

  So, skipping meals is very counterintuitive. Many people skip meals in order to try to lose weight, but by skipping meals they are slowing their metabolism, burning less calories, and their body stores more fat as a result. To increase metabolism you need to eat small meals throughout the day rather than 2 or 3 large meals.

• 3

  Increase Protein Intake

  Individuals who eat more protein rich foods feel more full and for longer periods of time in between meals. Your body burns more calories when metabolizing and digesting proteins than carbohydrates or fats. But don't shy away from carbs too much. Your body needs carbs to produce energy for the body.

• 4

  Take in Enough Calories

  Don't skimp on calorie intake. Just as with skipping meals, the body needs energy to remain in peak performance, and that energy comes in the form of the foods that we eat. If an individual is on a very low calorie diet, her body and metabolism start to slow in order to conserve energy.

• 5

  Exercise Regularly

  When exercising your body receives a metabolism boost from the activity, but you also receive prolonged effects of increased metabolism after you stop. You will have an increased metabolism possibly for hours after your workout has ended.

  Cardio exercise is a great way to increase your metabolism, but strength training can actually have a more long-term effect. Muscles burn more calories than fat. So by increasing the amount of muscle in your body, you will be increasing your resting metabolism. Your body will burn more calories throughout the day, even while resting.

• 6

  Stay Hydrated

  When you are not properly hydrated your body, again, tends to hoard energy. Drinking cold water helps your body burn calories because your body expends energy (burns calories) trying to warm the water.

  Also, studies have shown that when we are not properly hydrated we can sometimes mistake thirst for hunger. So staying properly hydrated, drinking 8 - 12 glasses of water a day, can reduce help hunger and cravings.