Metabolism is a constant chemical process in your body that incites movement, thinking and proper digestion of nutrients. Food and activity fuels your metabolism and are the primary sources for keeping it working at a steady and efficient pace. Your metabolism never stops completely, but certain things you do may slow it down, and rarely a medical condition like hypothyroidism can impair your metabolism to the point of noticeable weight gain. Stimulate your metabolism naturally by taking care of yourself through eating healthfully and engaging daily exercise.
Step 1
Eat small meals more frequently. Your metabolism is directly impacted by the frequency of food consumption. Since metabolism is the process of converting the food you eat into energy, depriving your body of food forces your metabolism to tap into stored energy to survive. This does not mean you will lose weight if you starve yourself and wait for the stored energy to burn. In fact, it may have a countereffect. Increase the number of times you eat each day to add usable energy that is burned healthfully. Eat smaller portions of breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as small snacks.
Step 2
Consume nutritious snacks between meals. Snacks between meals help you maintain a healthy level of energy and keep your metabolism working. Take some carrots and celery or apples and berries to snack on at work. Avoid junk food snacks because these add unhealthy calories, saturated fat and are high in sodium and sugar. Choose fresh produce, low-fat yogurt or cheeses over packaged and processed foods.
Step 3
Choose foods that spark thermogenesis. The process of your body heating up to burn calories is called thermogenesis. Consume meals frequently paired with exercise to stimulate your body to burn energy from calories. Add thermogenic foods to create a reaction in your body that also induces calorie burning. A small amount of foods like cayenne, grapefruit and green tea prompt a thermogenic reaction.
Step 4
Activate your body through exercise. Walk, jog, bike or go to a fitness class for at least 30 minutes a day. Physical activity is an important part of regulating your metabolism. If you prefer subtle exercise to intense workouts, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park at a distance on shopping trips so you can expend energy and walk farther.
Step 5
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Satiate your thirst with water. This will help you feel full and prevent you from overeating. Add a thermogenic booster like green tea or grapefruit juice. During workouts, drink ice-cold water to boost your calorie burn.
Tips and Warnings
- Stay at a healthy weight to maintain your metabolism. Talk to your physician before taking metabolism boosting supplements. Burn at least 500 calories a day with diet and exercise to maintain your weight and regulate your metabolism.
- Do not rely on consuming thermogenic foods alone to regulate your metabolism or stimulate weight loss. If you are taking blood pressure or high cholesterol medications, consult your physician regarding interactions with grapefruit.
Member Comments