5 Ways to Naturally Increase Metabolism

For those of us who are trying to lose weight, a sluggish metabolism can be a real thorn in our sides. The good news is there are a few common sense things you can do that will not only naturally increase metabolism, but will improve your overall health.

One of the most effective a natural ways to increase metabolism is by getting regular aerobic exercise, such as jogging, swimming or aerobics.

It is true that many of us maintain lifestyles that are not metabolism-friendly. What we ingest and how much we eat, as well as how much we rest and exercise has a dramatic affect on our bodies and will impact both our health and our metabolisms negatively or positively depending on what we do. To make sure you are doing everything you can to help your body lose weight, here are 5 ways to naturally increase metabolism you should make sure you are doing every day:

1. Eat breakfast – Many people make the mistake of skipping out on breakfast in the morning. You’ve likely heard the saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day – this is true! The food you eat after you wake up jump starts your metabolism and keeps it functioning at its optimum level until lunch. Understand, however, eating breakfast doesn’t mean filling up on coffee and sweets. Your first meal should contain both some complex carbohydrates and protein. For instance, a small bowl of oatmeal with skim milk and some fruit will provide you with the proper energy you need and keep your hunger at bay until lunch. Try some of these low calorie breakfast options mentioned in the post “Low Calorie Breakfast Ideas“.
2. Eat small meals frequently throughout the day – To increase your metabolism eat 4 – 6 smaller meals instead of 2- 3 large meals daily. After we eat our metabolism increases due to digestion. The larger the meal, the more there is to digest and the more sluggish you will feel. Furthermore, when you ingest higher quantities your insulin levels will spike up then fall rapidly, which can cause more hunger. Hence, you need to take care to eat smaller portions of nutritious food more frequently and avoid skipping meals. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and keep your body hydrated (for more information, see the post “How Dehydration Affects Metabolism“).
3. Get enough sleep – Your body needs adequate sleep in order to fully recuperate and re-energize. Therefore, you should make sure you are getting a minimum of 7 hours per night, though 8 hours is more preferable. To be certain you will achieve the recommended amount of rest your body requires, you should go to bed at the same time every night and avoid participating in activities prior to bed that may hinder sleep, such as drinking caffeinated, high sugar or alcoholic beverages or eating a meal (for more information about how sleep can affect metabolism, see the article “Sleep and Weight Loss“.
4. Exercise regularly – Some individuals are under the impression that exercising uses up energy, but the fact of the matter is that exercise actually boosts your body’s energy levels. Low levels of energy, which can occur when you are inactive and sit around, decreases the oxygen level in the cells, which prevents your body’s organs, such as your heart and lungs, from working properly. The lower the oxygen in your cells the slower your metabolism. When your metabolism drops, you burn fewer calories and can gain excess weight. Furthermore, when your metabolism is down you tend to experience fatigue and are more prone to feeling down. Therefore, get your blood pumping and increase your cells metabolic efficiency by engaging in any number of aerobic exercises.
5. De-Stress – Physical and emotional stress causes the body to release cortisol, a hormone that slows down metabolism. Additionally, people also tend to skip meals, eat excessively or drink alcohol in a reaction to stress. That said, you need to take special care to make sure you take adequate breaks and have fun whenever you can. When you feel happy you feel better overall and this is key in order to maintain a healthy metabolism.

Other Related Posts You May Find Interesting: “Leptin and Weight Loss: How the Fat Hormone Affects Hunger and Metabolism“, “What Causes a Slow Metabolism” and “How to Speed Up Your Metabolism“.