12 Keys to Super-charging Your Metabolism for Weight Loss

Whenever the topic of dieting or weight loss crops up, we very often hear the word ‘metabolism’. Now what is metabolism? If you are going on a weight loss program, you should know the meaning of metabolism. It is the process in the body that converts food and other substances into energy.

Metabolism absorbs nutrients into your body, as well as help in the functioning of your digestive system. A balanced nutritious diet and consistent exercising increases the metabolic level in your body, thus helping your body to burn more calories, leading to weight loss. Basal metabolic rate is the amount of calories your body needs for functioning, when you are in a resting or sleeping position.

Now that you know what metabolism is, you might want to know how to boost metabolism. Given below are 12 ways you can charge your metabolism. If you are able to incorporate them in your life, you can boost the level of metabolism in your body. This will help your body to burn more calories and reduce your weight.

Don’t skip your breakfast:

It is the most important meal of the day. When you skip breakfast, since you have not had food the whole night, it will amount to starving. Starving reduces the metabolism in your body. This means, fewer calories is burned. If you plan to lose weight, don’t skip breakfast, but eat a breakfast containing proteins and fiber.

Make your dinner light:

Avoid heavy dinner and also don’t eat just before retiring to bed. Eat dinner about four hours before bedtime.

Consume minimum 1200 calories:

Count your calories and eat at least 1200 calories per day, because if you eat less than 1200 calories, your metabolism will slow down.

Frequency in eating:

Instead of three meals a day, eat 5-6 micro meals. Frequency in eating makes you less hungry and increases the metabolism, as more digestion takes place. Include fruits, vegetables and grains in your meals.

Exercising is a must:

About 30 minute of aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, swimming, running, cycling etc, everyday, boosts up the metabolism

Extra exercising:

Apart from your morning aerobic exercise, a 10 minutes walk during lunch time or in the evening, also increases your metabolism.

Do strength training exercises:

Strength training exercises twice a week strengthens your muscles and increases muscle mass. This increases the metabolic level.

Avoid sugar and fat and consume carbohydrates:

Include carbohydrate food in your diet. Avoid sugar and fat. The fat gets stored in your cells as saturated fat. Carbohydrates are low in calories, and also help to increase metabolism.

Keep moving always:

Incorporate physical activity in your daily routine. Avoid elevators, climb the stairs; walk up to your office if it’s close by, instead of driving; avoid sitting for long hours in front of the TV. Go out and play football with your children instead; or go dancing. Try to keep moving about, instead off sitting or lying down.

Say no to alcohol:

Alcohol should be avoided. It increases your appetite, making you eat often. Alcohol also slows down your metabolism.

Drink water:

Drink plenty of water. At least eight glasses of water is recommended everyday. Water prevents dehydration, and brings down the metabolism level.

Avoid the three “p”:

Avoid powders, pills and potions.

Follow the tips given above and you will surely succeed in boosting up your metabolism.

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