How to Boost your Metabolism without Effort

This article will tell you how to increase your metabolism with little effort. Increasing your metabolism will aid in weight loss and improve overall health.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Grocery List
• 5- or 10-lb weights

1. Start Your Day Off Right:
   
   Begin working on increasing your metabolism the moment you awake. Movement will immediately jumpstart your metabolism. Therefore, before you even roll out of bed, take 5-10 minutes to get your body moving. Stretch your arms, legs, back and torso. Roll on your left side and do 10 leg lifts. Roll over to your right side and repeat. End with 10 to 20 crunches. This will little time and will immediately rev up your metabolism.

2. Eat a Healthy, Metabolism-Boosting Breakfast:
   
   If you think skipping breakfast will help you lose weight, think again. After 6 to 8 hours of sleep, our body enters starvation mode and our metabolism shuts down. Jumpstart it with a healthy breakfast comprised of proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. A good option: a three-egg white omelet made with one yolk accompanied by a slice of whole-wheat toast with jam and a non-fat latté. One to two servings of caffeine per day has also been shown to increase metabolism.

3. 
   Drink more water (Picture courtesy of medicinenet.com)

   Eat and Drink Often:
   
   Do not wait until you are thirsty and hungry to drink and eat. Drink water or other low-calorie beverages throughout the day and eat small meals/snacks every 3-4 hours. Some excellent snacks include one ounce of almonds, low- or non-fat yogurt, a half of sandwich made with lean meat, low-fat cheese and whole-wheat bread, or fruit with a half tablespoon of peanut butter.

4. Keep Moving:
   
   Although regular exercise is recommended, you don't have to workout to stay active. Simply move around every 1-2 hours. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk the long way to the bathroom. Park your car further away from the door. Even doing toe taps or knee lifts when sitting at your desk or watching TV will burn calories.

5. 
   Add weight training (Picture courtesy of medicinenet.com)

   Build Muscle to Burn Fat:
   
   Individuals who have a higher percentage of muscle mass have been shown to burn more fat. Thus, taking the time to build muscle 3-4 days per week can increase metabolism. Weight training can be simple and requires little equipment. All you need is two 5- or 10-lb dumbbells and an instruction booklet. One to try: Weight Training for Dummies.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep all meals small by eating them in a cereal bowl or on a lunch-sized plate.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Get three servings of low-fat dairy per day.
• Always stretch before exercising.
• Consult your doctor before changing your diet or exercise regimen.

[ericachung88]

on 10/27/2009 great tips!