The metabolism is a term used to describe certain chemical functions that control how quickly our body converts food into energy. If you have a higher basal metabolic rate, you can burn fat and lose weight quicker. Changing the foods you eat and your exercise routine are the most effective ways to boost your metabolism. Diet supplements that claim to increase your basal metabolic rate have not been proven to work.
Step 1
Make time for breakfast each morning. Jump start your metabolism with a healthy breakfast. Meal ideas include a low fat cheese slice with whole grain toast, low fat yogurt and fruit and whole grain cereal with fat free milk.
Step 2
Eat foods high in the B vitamins. According to "Health Magazine" contributor Samantha Heller featured on the Today Show, inadequate B vitamin intake may slow the metabolism. Foods high in the B vitamins include spinach, broccoli, kale, black beans, soybeans, eggs and fish.
Step 3
Consume small meals throughout the day. Small portion meals consumed every three to four hours keep the metabolism going at a higher rate than if you stick to three square meals daily. Fasting and skipping meals causes you to burn fat at a sluggish rate since your metabolism slows.
Step 4
Add intervals to your workouts. Interval training involves the addition of high intensity exercise to low intensity activities. For instance, jog at a leisurely pace for 30 minutes. During the jog, work in a two-minute sprint every five to 10 minutes to increase your workout intensity and burn more fat.
Step 5
Participate in strength training exercises a minimum of three days a week. "Fitness Magazine" advises that regular resistance workouts boost the metabolism and that the metabolism stays revved up for up to 15 hours after strength training. Exercise with weights on machines such as pull down bars, leg curls and ab rollers.
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