Your metabolism is the fire that powers every cell in your body. You feed the flame by consuming calories, but if your metabolism is not running smoothly (as it does tend to slow down with age) you may end up gaining unwanted weight. The good news is that you can help maintain a strong metabolism by following a simple daily routine.
Eat Breakfast
Research has increasingly shown that eating breakfast every morning helps boost metabolism. A study performed at Harvard Medical School showed that participants who ate breakfast every day were one third less likely to be obese and half as likely to have blood sugar issues as people who did not eat breakfast. By eating in the morning, your blood sugars become stabilized, so you are more satiated and less likely to overeat at your next meal.
Move
A combination of interval training and strength training can help boost your metabolism.
During interval training, an athlete alternates between a low intensity workout and bursts of high intensity activity. A runner, for example, would alternate between jogging and sprinting. Doing this burns more calories and increases metabolism by teaching the body to use oxygen with more efficiency.
Strength (or resistance) training helps stimulate muscles to become stronger and function with more ease. Muscle density helps the body to burn off fat more readily during interval training.
Eat Well, Not Less
If you cut a lot of calories out of your diet, your body will begin to think that it is being deprived of what it needs to function well. When this happens, it starts to "protect" your body, storing carbohydrates and fat by slowing down your metabolism. Eat full, healthy meals to keep the fire fueled and prevent your body from feeling neglected.
Healthful Choices
According to an article published by MyFit.ca, a balanced portion of the following healthful foods and drinks can help boost your metabolism: whole grains, rolled oats, almonds, natural yogurt, apples, peanut butter, beans, spinach, cayenne pepper, poultry, extra virgin olive oil, vegetables, salmon, green tea and water. According to an article published in Health magazine by Samantha Heller, M.S., R.D., having a sufficient amount of B vitamins and magnesium in your diet will support a healthy metabolism. If you think you cannot get enough of them naturally, you may want to consider taking a high-quality vitamin supplement.
Snack Often
If you eat only three times a day, you may be more likely to feel hungrier than you should and end up overeating at your next meal. By eating at least a few light snacks in the middle of the day, you can boost your body's fuel and avoid eating too much at one time. Combinations of carbohydrates and protein -- carrots and hummus, trail mix, or perhaps apples and cheddar cheese -- will help you feel full and keep your blood sugar balanced.
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