Speed Up Metabolism and Lose Weight
Weight loss is a very hot topic today and learning how to lose weight and get healthy are two of the most important decisions in people’s lives today. The average “American” today has succumbed to such an unhealthy and inactive lifestyle that their metabolism has slowed to almost nothing. You don’t have to be the average “American”; out of shape, stressed out, tired and blaming your weight on a “slow metabolism”.
Within this article we are going to provide you advice and options on ways to boost your metabolism so you can not only begin losing weight but also have the energy required in order to work out! Losing weight is not an easy task but if you have your metabolism working for you, it will be a much easier and faster journey.
The key to boosting your metabolism has to do with the foods we eat and the amount of activity/exercise our bodies experience every day. If you’re not consciously watching what you eat every day or moving your body, you are not doing your metabolism any favors. We understand that it’s not easy to change your habits overnight and this is why you need to do it gradually to ensure you that you stick with it.
Help Your Metabolism With Healthy Small Meals
You want to step back and take a close look at what you put into your body every day. A great way to really see how much you eat a day is to write down what you eat, how much of it you eat and what time you eat for a few days so you can really get a visual. You want to shoot for 4-6 small meals (including snacks) a day as this will keep your insulin levels from dipping too low which not only causes you to over eat but it will stop putting your body into “starvation mode” which means your body doesn’t know when it’s going to get its next meal so your metabolism slows down and it stores food as fat.
Once you get your small meals under control to 4-6 per day you can begin working on foods to keep your metabolism high. Your small meals should be focusing on lean proteins (at every meal), slow burning carbohydrates and good fats.
- Lean/healthy Proteins include: fish, chicken, turkey, grass fed beef, eggs, protein shakes, low fat cheese, low fat Greek yogurt and cottage cheese.
- Slow Burning Carbohydrates include: Whole wheat bread, oatmeal, whole grains, vegetables (avoid white potatoes), beans and fruits.
- Good Fats: Nuts, olives and olive oil, omega-3, flax seeds, avocados, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds.
Once you see what your eating habits are you will want to take a few of the unhealthy meals/snacks and replace them with an apple, low fat yogurt, or nuts instead of a bag of chips or french fries. Lean proteins, slow burning carbohydrates and good fats will not only help boost your metabolism, but it can help provide your body the energy it needs to choose working out versus sitting on your couch watching TV.
Go for a walk
Now let’s talk about your activity level. If you’re an average “American”, it is likely quite low, but that’s okay everyone has to start somewhere. We all have very busy schedules, but everyone has 20minutes to spare a day so there are no excuses! By creating a schedule and allowing yourself 20minutes a day 3 times a week to start for a workout program you are starting off slowly and safely. You can choose to go for a brisk walk after dinner, jog on a treadmill or utilize an at home workout video. Whatever you choose as long as you are working up a sweat you are boosting your metabolism. As your endurance increases, then increase either the number of days per week, the duration from 20 minutes a day to 45 or the intensity to ensure you keep your sweat up and further increase your metabolism.
If you are determined to lose weight and change your life go for a bike ride and you will be amazed at how good you feel. Make better food choices and in a week I guarantee you will feel better and have more energy. This will evolve into you not wanting to miss a single workout and make healthier food choices at every meal. The more we do to keep our metabolism high, the more it does for us in return; more energy, clothes fit better, look better, feel better, happier, healthier, the list goes on and on. Now your metabolism is working for you!
