There are many folks who would give everything they have to increase their metabolism. Having a
high level of metabolism enables you to burn fat and lose weight fast with less amounts of activity. Metabolism is the rate by which the body produces and consumes
energy and calories to
support life.
Here is a
list of items that will affect your metabolism; frequency of meals, stress levels, diet plans, activity, and the amount of
muscle tissue your body has.
Here are 10 home run tips that will boost your metabolism.
1. Build up lean body mass. It is only natural that metabolism decreases with age, but it is possible to counter the effects. The amount of muscle you have is a strong determinant to the ability to burn calories and shed fat. So it goes without saying that
exercise is essential.
Build strength and resistance by
working out at least twice a week, preferably with weights. Do easy exercises between workouts. Simple tasks such as walking the dog and using the stairs instead of the elevator can burn off calories.
2. Consume breakfast daily. Many individuals do not consume breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Have you ever noticed, those individuals who consumebreakfast are thinner than those that don't? Metabolism decreases considerably if you wait to eat later in the day.
3. Spicy food is a friend of metabolism and helps increase its level.
4. Sleep more. According to research, people who do not get enough sleep run a greater risk of gaining weight. Also, muscles are regenerated during the last couple of hours of slumber.
5. Increase water intake. Water flushes out toxins produced whenever the body burns fat. Majority of the body's functions involves water, and lack of water causes their operations to decrease.
6. Have smaller meals. Every 2 to 3 hours we need to consume a meal, approximately 4 to 6 meals a day. Remember we are increasing our metabolism so, think healthy meal, not
junk food.
7. Planning on skipping meals? Well don't! One of the biggest concepts of individuals who are trying to lose weight is to skip meals. Big mistake! Skipping meals slows down your metabolism.
8. Meals need to be planned in detail. Occasional eating is a mistake. Plan what, when, and
serving size daily.
9. Green tea. Green tea is also a friend of metabolism. Green tea boosts metabolism but contrary to
coffee, it has no undesirable side effects.
10. Whole grain, beans, fruits, and vegetables are great to assist you on your weight loss adventure.
Achieving the desired
body weight is never impossible if you have the determination and patience needed. Remember that eating right and working out are not just a passing fancy, but a lifestyle.
Post written by Thong M. Dao and posted on
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Comments (21)
Planning meals in extreme detail all the time is too much of a hassle.
Yeah... I'd rather just live life instead.
"Green tea boosts metabolism but contrary to coffee, it has no undesirable side effects."
Bull. Green tea contains caffeine, and will produce the same undesirable side effects of other caffeinated beverages.
I LOVE green tea!!
I plan my meals out for the week at the beginning of the week, makes things so much easier when life gets hectic. I already have a healthy plan :]
@LadyLibellule@xanga - untrue. MOST green teas are decaffeinated or non-caffeinted. however, there are some green teas that are caffeinated...
Eating six meals a day is gross. It's a myth that is repeated by magazines and the snack food industry, and well-meaning fitness experts who just happen to be wrong about this. It may work for some people, but most of us do better with three meals a day. I am slender and healthy, and have lived and traveled in countries admired for their slim and beautiful people. What I see in common is:
--small breakfast (one piece of toast, or two pieces of fruit, or a small bowl of porridge, plus water and coffee or tea)
--then, lots of water, no snack
--then medium-sized lunch of vegetables and protein and possibly a bit of chocolate
--lots of water
--then, a piece of fruit mid-afternoon -- only if you've been quite physically active. Otherwise, tea.
--then, a small or medium-sized dinner of vegetables, soup, grain and a small amount of protein.
No returning to the cupboard for a handful of almonds or crackers or cereal before bed. No grazing. The stomach needs to rest. This six meals a day thing has people in a constant state of digestion (and interrupted digestion) that keeps people fixated on the next snack and addicted to having something in their stomach. When they discipline themselves to three meals a day, several nice things happen: less gas and stomach problems, skin glows, weight falls off, they get to linger over real proper meals and enjoy them thoroughly and then digest them thoroughly. Try it!
Cool! Most of these tips seem pretty easy to incorporate into one's life! Can I in anyway save or bookmark this page on xanga?
good tips. drinking lukewarm saltwater the first thing you wake up in the morning also increases your metabo. i do that every morning and its great. drink it before you eat anything. lukewarm saltwater flushes out toxins too.
@chococatcrazi@xanga - on the bottom of the article where it says recommend with a red heart and a plus sign, click it and the article will appear on your xanga blog under recommendations. that way you could save the post.
@d0llh0use@xanga - Thank you!
@chococatcrazi@xanga - your welcome :)
I eat about 2 to 3 times a day, cause I only eat when I'm hungry and until I'm full, but I've done almost all these other tips and I think I've seen a difference in my energy, how often I'm hungry, etc. I think a bunch meals a day every couple hours is insane and will only work if you're a body builder and have a lot of free time, but I work from 8 to 6 and get 1 hr lunch breaks so....yea.
@TheScaleDiaries@xanga - Yep. Lots of meals a day works great for bodybuilders!
But I can see eating every 3-4 hours as beneficial for regular people wanting to be healthy. It just depends on the caloric intake. Of course bodybuilders will be eating like 500-700 calorie meals for 6 meals, but normal people should probably eat maybe 300-400 calorie meals.
The key to fatloss is consistency. Planning meals and making them in bulk is a great way to do it!
@T. - Actually, it's not a myth. Taking three meals a day and cutting them in half so that you're consuming 6 smaller meals is better for you and gives your body time to metabolize the food. And it is quite a bit healthier for you. I've been doing this for over two years and I've lost quite a bit of weight doing it. Today--60 pounds and still going down to my goal weight. I don't get hungry so that I don't obsess about food and I don't overeat when I do have a meal. Combined with the food choices I've made--more veggies, less meat and processed foods, more raw foods and grains for fiber--and the exercise regimen I'm on--walking, stationary bike, some weight training--I'm getting it done.
But six small meals as opposed to three large ones is not a myth. It comes down to what your body can handle and what works for you.
@LadyLibellule@xanga - I've found a few sources for decaf green tea. It's very good and loses nothing in the translation.
@shes_lump@xanga - Sorry, but you're wrong. Green tea contains caffeine, unless it's been decaffeinated. One cup can have about 30 mg of caffeine!
Google it.
@RedHairedCelt@xanga - I know decaf green tea exists, but I'm concerned about the processes used (they're often chemical-based). I'm not sure if the Swiss water process works on tea, or only on coffee beans.
@LadyLibellule@xanga - Hmmm...good point.
I'm hearing a lot of "consume."
Personally, not eating gets me skinnier, but then again, it does slow down my metabolism. My body is very odd because it gains weight very easily and loses weight kind of easily, too. It all depends on the food I eat.Â
This year, I've been eating a LOT more than usual since school has started. I don't know, it just makes me hungry ! And I eat about five times a day, give or take, and I'm still pretty skinny. I mean, I have quite a bit of walking to do and I exercise anyway, so I don't consume that many calories. I try to be as healthy as possible, but I let myself indulge on one or two little things every day.Â
But as someone else said, it all depends on how YOUR body reacts to the amount of food you put into it. If you find eating three square meals a day works more effectively than five or six, then go for it.Â