There are different factors that play a role in metabolism (we can’t just blame genetics). You can control some aspects when it comes to your health, most notably diet, exercise, and rest.

Here are some helpful living practices to a healthy lifestyle that will rev up your metabolism!

1. Make exercise a part of your daily life: the more you move the better. Aim for working out five days per week, but start with small goals of 3-4 days per week if you are just beginning (remember to incorporate cardio as well as some resistance exercises!). Leave gym shoes in the trunk of your car or in a bag in your office so you are always prepared to work out. The more lean muscle on your body, the more calories you will burn through out the day, even at rest, so get moving!
2. If you already work out on a weekly basis, consider increasing the amount of cardio you do. Interval training is just one of the many ways you can increase your caloric expenditure and has been shown to increase metabolic rate even after the work out ends. When doing cardio, go hard for a period of a couple of minutes and then take it down to an easy pace.
3. Avoid skipping meals! Chewing, digesting, and absorbing food does affect metabolism; and skipping meals lowers metabolic rate. Eat three meals a day and between 1-3 snacks, depending on needs.
4. Get enough protein. Besides the satiety affects of protein, protein also requires more energy to digest. Try Greek yogurt at breakfast, and lean meats and fish at lunch and dinner. For a snack, try almonds!
5. Eat breakfast. Breakfast is just like it sounds, it “breaks” the “fast” your body has been going through during sleep. Breakfast is simply the best way to get your metabolism started for your day. Try egg whites with Canadian bacon and some fruit.
6. Get enough sleep. Sleep is your body’s natural defense against stress. More sleep also keeps hunger hormones at bay, allowing you to properly manage your hunger cues and intake at meals and snacks.

If you practice all or some of these tips, your body, and metabolism, will thank you!

Assistance provided by Stephanie Horvath