If you've ever noticed a slender friend eat all she wants and stay slim while you count every calorie to control your weight, you've witnessed the power of metabolism. Your metabolism is the process by which your body converts food into energy, and it varies from person to person. Some people's metabolic rates are high, meaning that they burn calories quickly and easily, while others' run more slowly, burning fewer calories each day. Most people would love a speedier metabolism for easier weight control. The good news is that, though some aspects of metabolism are unchangeable, you can speed up your metabolism with a few simple strategies.
Step 1
Start each day with a nutritious breakfast. You may think that skipping breakfast is an easy way to cut calories, but the Illinois State University Campus Dining Services state that skipping meals actually lowers your metabolism. The reality is that your body needs a morning meal to get your metabolism going each day.
Step 2
Eat adequate calories each day. According to the College of the Canyons Health Services, overly restrictive diets lower your metabolic rate, causing your body to hang onto every calorie rather than burning calories efficiently. Keeping your calorie intake at a reasonable level actually keeps your metabolism running high.
Step 3
Build muscle through strength training. Strength-training workouts use resistance tubes, weight machines, free weights or your own body weight to challenge your muscles and increase muscle mass. Since muscle requires more calories to maintain than fat, the more muscle mass you have, the speedier your metabolism will be, says the American Council on Exercise. Aim for two to three strength-training workouts per week.
Step 4
Engage in cardiovascular exercise most days of the week. Cardio exercise burns loads of calories, and even helps your body burn calories at an increased rate after your workout is over. Choose a heart-pumping workout that you enjoy, such as brisk walking, dancing or jumping rope, and keep it up for 30 to 60 minutes, five days a week, for best metabolism-increasing results.
Things You'll Need
- Exercise equipment
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