5 Tips to increase your metabolism

Metabolism is a chemical reaction that occurs in your body. This process can be broken down into two separates processes, anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism is when energy is used to build or repair cells within the body. (Muscles) Catabolism is when molecules in the body are broken down and used for energy. (Burning Calories)

By understanding this, you can see how you can improve your appearance by increasing your body's efficiency at burning and using the calories you take in. Most people assume that your metabolic rate is genetic. This is not true. Where your body stores the fat (thighs, butt, stomach, etc.) is genetic but how it uses the energy is not.

When you increase your metabolic rate you can lose weight much easier and keep it off. Most people do not do this. And that is why all the "fad" diets seem to not last long. With out increasing your metabolism, your body experiences the yo-yo effect. You diet and get smaller, then you start gaining weight. You diet again, lose weight, and then put it back on. And the cycle continues.

1.Exercise- This is a "no brainer". But you should exercise more early in the morning. This sets the tone for your body throughout the day. Your body stores fat for energy. So start the day by telling your body to get ready to burn that energy and not store it.

2.Eat More Often- Yes you need to eat more often. Not big meals but break down your daily food consumption into 6 meals. If your daily caloric intake needs to be 1,800 calories then eat 6 meals that are 300 calories each. This will help to prevent the amount of calories that you take in from exceeding the rate at which your body burns those calories. Thus preventing your body for storing the calories as fat.

3.Balanced Diet- Don't try to get all your protein just before your workout or all your carbs in the morning. There are some benefits by doing this but is has a negative effect on your metabolism. A more balanced diet helps to stabilize your body's insulation production. This will help improve your metabolic rate drastically.

4.Eat!!!- Many people feel that if they skip meals and cut back on calories they will lose weight. And you will until your body catches on to what you are doing. The body has a natural defense system to help you survive. This system will detect the lack of calories and start storing fat to conserve energy. So yeah, you lose weight for a few days (depending on how much fat is stored) but you will not continue to lose weight nor will you be able to keep it off. So don't stop eating. Just reduce your calories and decrease the amount of bad carbs.

5.Build Muscle- I saved the best tip for last. By building muscle your body will burn more energy (calories). Think of it like a race car with a big powerful engine. The more power it makes the more fuel it needs to function. The same is true with the body. By increasing muscle mass, your can greatly increase your metabolism. And no you do not have to look like a body builder. Those guys spends years and years to get bodies like that.

For tips on weight loss, see my weight loss section by clicking here.

Do you have any helpful tips about increasing metabolism? Share it!

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

EAT EAT EAT!!!! by Tiffany Forni 
The best thing I can tell you is to EAT! Keep your body on a regular feeding schedule, every 3 hours or so is good. When you get it timed right you'll ...

Breakfast is a must! 
Having a good breakfast every morning helps me to control snacking through out the day. When you skip meals you body will store more fat. So eat a good ...

Eating 
I have found that it is better to spread your meals out during the day. Don't eat 3 seperate meals. Instead eat 6. That way you are not snacking through ...

Cinnamon  Not rated yet
I Have been using a cinnamon supplement. It seems to have helped. My routine and diet hasn't really changed and I have lost additional fat.