How To Increase Fat Metabolism Without Jitters

Metabolism is the mechanism by which your body turns calories into energy. There are a number of diet pills on the market that claim to help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism, thus allowing your body to burn calories faster. The problem with many of these pills, even the ones claiming to be "herbal" or "all-natural," is that they contain stimulants that leave you feeling jittery. You can, however, boost your metabolism through the foods you eat and the amount of exercise you get, helping you feel healthy rather than overstimulated.

Step 1

Incorporate aerobic exercise into your lifestyle. Aerobic exercise involves large muscle groups moving rhythmically and sustained for an extended period of time. Aim to work out five days a week for at least 30 minutes. Effective, metabolism-boosting aerobic workouts include walking, dancing and jogging. To boost your metabolism and calm your mind, "Yoga Journal" suggests a vinyasa, or "power" yoga class.

Step 2

Train with weights to increase lean muscle, which is more metabolically active than fat. This means that a pound of muscle burns more calories than a pound of fat, even when you're resting. If you prefer not to lift weights, try exercises that use your body weight as resistance, such as pull-ups, push-ups and crunches.

Step 3

Start every day with a healthy breakfast -- eat whole-grain cereal like oatmeal and a lean protein like an egg. According to TeensHealth.org, eating breakfast within two hours of waking allows for better weight control than skipping breakfast altogether.

Step 4

Eat a mini-meal consisting of up to 300 calories every two to three hours. According to Acefitness.org, eating small meals at regular intervals keeps your metabolism revved, unlike the metabolic slowdown you get from starvation dieting. If you don't give your body enough calories, your metabolism slows down to conserve energy. You must eat in order to lose weight healthfully.

Step 5

Drink at least 64 oz. of water a day. According to a study by Berlin's Franz-Volhard Clinical Research Center, reported in the December 2003 issue of "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism," metabolism increases within 10 minutes of drinking 17 oz. of water, with maximum elevation occurring after about 30 to 40 minutes.