If your metabolism is operating at an optimal speed, your body will burn loads of calories, even while you are not being physically active. So, if you want to avoid gaining excess weight, if you are currently struggling with losing weight, or if you just feel like your energy level should be higher, you might need to take steps to boost metabolism naturally. Are you ready to elevate your metabolic rate to a higher level? Check out our tips below to get started. You might be surprised by how easy it can be to support your body’s metabolism and keep your energy going strong.
Strength Train to Build Muscle for a Metabolic Boost
Did you know that muscle burns more calories than fat, even while you are at rest? According to Redbook, weight training is one of the top ways to boost your resting metabolic rate. That’s why it’s a great idea to increase your muscle mass throughout your body, rather than just focusing on cardio when you hit the gym. And, you don’t need to lift super heavy weights or act like a bodybuilder to get results. Light dumbbells and bodyweight exercises can make a big difference in terms of building the strength of your muscles. So, go ahead and work on building up your muscles, and then let your metabolism increase naturally as a result.
Eating To Boost Your Metabolism
Refined and processed grains aren’t the way to go if you want to eat right for your health and your metabolic rate. Whole grains should be your go-to choice. A few great examples of whole grains include:
- Oatmeal
- Brown Rice
- Quinoa
- Buckwheat
- Whole wheat
- Sprouted grain bread
- Whole barley
What’s so great about whole grains? Well, they’re actually harder for your body to break down and digest, so they require more calories. In other words, by eating these nutritious, filling, and satisfying foods, you can also take a step to boost your metabolic rate.
While you are sleeping, your metabolism will slow down. So, when you get up in the morning, you need to take steps to get it going again. But, rather than reaching for a cup of caffeinated coffee, have some water first. This will rehydrate your body after a long night, and it can even help reduce bloating. You might discover that following this strategy gives you more energy and helps you more easily control your appetite too—both of which are important if you want to lead an active lifestyle and eat right to lose weight or keep the weight off.
Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Sleep
If you are not getting enough sleep, you aren’t just affecting your energy level throughout the day, you are also causing your metabolism to slow down. So, if you want to bring your metabolic rate back up, you have to make sure that you are getting enough shut-eye every night. Increasing the amount of sleep that you get by just a half hour can make a difference, and you’re sure to feel a lot better during the day too. There you have it: a few surprisingly easy ways to improve your lifestyle to boost your metabolism.