Increase Your Metabolism With These Simple Tips
Can’t get that needle on the scale to budge? Sometimes hitting the gym religiously just isn’t enough, many of us struggle with a weight loss plateau. Simple changes in your daily eating habits can make an enormous impact on your weight loss goals. Try making these simple changes to increase your metabolism.
Eat In The Morning
When you eat in the morning it jump starts your metabolism and gets your body ready for the day. Eating first thing in the morning helps avoid drops in your blood sugar levels as he morning goes by. When your blood sugar drops you are more likely to make unhealthy eating choices, feel tired, and become moody. If you don’t have time in the morning to make breakfast, grab some yogurt, fruit, or prepare something the night before you can grab on the go.
Drink Coffee or Tea
No this does not mean it’s okay to drink that iced white chocolate mocha from Starbucks in the Union every morning, however it does mean that the caffeine and antioxidants found in coffee and tea have shown to increase your metabolism by 5-8% daily. That’s about 100-175 calories extra burned just from drinking your morning coffee or tea. The metabolism increase is due to the fact that caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant giving your body an energy surge.
Tip: To cut calories try using skim milk as your creamer or light unsweetened soy/almond milk for a thicker texture. Also minimize the amount of sugar and syrups; remember each pump is unnecessary calories!
Increase Your Fiber.
Fibrous foods digest slowly helping you to feel full longer, and also feel full on fewer calories. Women should try eating 25g daily, fiber is found naturally in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. Eating fiber from whole foods has shown to aid weight loss the most, this is likely because whole foods are naturally low in calories. Fiber also helps prevent blood insulin levels from dropping which leaves you tired, hungry and craving sweet foods.
Tip: Increase your fiber slowly to avoid bloating and discomfort.
Drink More Water.
Drinking water helps your body with daily processes including digestion. Drinking cold water can briefly speed up your metabolism, this increase comes from the energy it takes for your body to heat the water. Drinking water through out the day has shown to reduce hunger and cravings.
Tips: Drink a glass of cold water first thing in the morning to rev up your metabolism for the day. Try adding fresh squeezed lemon to your water for some flavor and an extra metabolism boost.
Eat Enough
In order for your metabolism to work to it’s full potential it needs calories. When you eat less calories than needed to biologically function properly (about 1,200 for most women) then your metabolism slows down. Your body will begin to breakdown calorie burning muscle tissue to serve as the energy you are not consuming. To keep your metabolism in check while trying to lose weight it is recommended that snacking twice daily at 150 calories and eating 3 meals a day at 430 calories each will help you reach your weight loss goals.
Keep in mind, changing your work out and increasing the intensity of your cardio routine to challenge your body will also help increase your metabolism, but that’s another topic to save for another day!
Credits: http://www.prevention.com & google images