subject: Five Simple Ways To Raise Your Metabolism For Fat Burning [print this page] To make your metabolism operate as efficiently as possible, there are some easy steps you can take. These five simple ways, when practiced, will help you burn off extra fat, enabling you to get he lean, sculpted body you want.
1. Always eat a healthy breakfast.
Eating a morning meal kick starts your metabolism, and will help to prevent you from binge eating late in the day. Drinking a cup of coffee does not count as breakfast. Caffeine and sugar may give you some energy and curb your appetite for a bit, but are not going to help you burn fat. You will eventually be really hungry, as the body cannot go on coffee alone. Severe hunger will ensue making you more likely to overeat later in the day. Breakfast should be primarily complex carbohydrates, like whole grains, such as granola or oatmeal, combined with some protein and fat. Eating a full meal will balance your energy level and keep your hunger in check.
2. Eat small meals more frequently.
Eat five to six times per day. Frequent eating stabilizes blood sugar, when blood sugar drops too low you want to binge. By keeping your blood sugar stable you will be able to control your appetite while keeping your metabolism high. Going for awhile without eating will tell your body to compensate by slowing, thus conserving energy. This side effect will hurt your fat burning efforts.
3. Eat protein at each meal.
Protein will help to minimize your appetite because it takes more energy and time to digest. Eating it consistently will help you to feel full longer than eating just carbohydrates. Research has shown that a higher protein diet can help you burn fat without cutting calories. Try these protein packed suggestions: turkey on whole wheat; hummus and pita bread; vegetarian chili; fruit and nuts; or protein snack bars, which can be helpful when you have no time to cook.
4. Avoid Snacking.
Many people grab quick snacks for energy when they get tired. You must not confuse actual hunger with fatigue. If you feel tired, go for a quick walk. Walking will raise your heart rate, giving you a natural boost of energy. Follow up your walk with a glass of cold water. If you are actually hungry, which you should not be if you are eating five to six times per day, have a high protein, high fiber, and complex carbohydrate rich snack. Try whole wheat crackers combined with almond butter.
5. Consume just enough calories to fuel your body.
Eating too infrequently will slow your metabolism. If you want to lose weight, cut calories below the amount needed for your activity level, but not too drastically. No more than 500 calories should be removed at one time. Start by eliminating some of the extras from your diet. Soda, juice, white bread, ice cream, cookies, cakes, and candies are good things to stop eating. These processed foods tend to be high in calories while low in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
