One of the biggest mistakes people make when they are trying to lose weight is to significantly eat less. They think that if they eat less they will lose lots of weight. Right? Wrong. The way we lose weight is by taking in fewer calories than we burn off. So, you need to be increasing your metabolism to drop pounds.
By eating less, you may drop a few pounds in the beginning, but once your body is used to you eating less, it will feel as though you are starving. It will decrease the rate at which it burns calories and your weight loss will stop. The goal is to eat less than you burn off.
So how can you raise that metabolism? First of all, you need to build muscle. The more muscle mass you have, the more energy your body will require to maintain them. Weight training is an important part of any exercise routine. So is aerobic activity. Cardio exercises are not only great for your heart, but they will also boost the need for energy. Thus, a higher metabolism. Running for 15 minutes will have a bigger impact on metabolism than will 30 minutes of walking.
You need to also pay heed to what and when you eat. Remember, protein builds muscle. This makes the weight training that we just talked about more effective and easier. Additionally, protein takes a little more work to break down. Therefore, eating protein will use up more energy. High protein foods include things like beef, pork, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, nuts, seeds and soy.
Another nutrient that the body needs more energy to break down is fiber. Eating fiber will therefore boost metabolism a bit. So, not only is it good for the digestive system, it is also a good tool for increasing your metabolism. Foods rich in fiber are seeds, nuts, legumes, vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Now a word on when to eat. Firstly, never skip breakfast. It is true what they say: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It will give your metabolism a jump start and help keep it steady for the duration of the day. So many people skip breakfast without realizing how important this meal really is. Also think about eating more meals each day. Instead of three big meals a day, try eating five or six small ones. This will give regularity to metabolism and help keep it from dropping.
Alcohol has a negative effect on metabolism. It has the same effect on metabolism that it has on the rest of the body: it slows it down. Having a drink or two each week is not going to be a problem but be careful not to drink too regularly or you will undo all the good things you do the rest of the time.
And equally importantly, do not find yourself sedentary. Find little ways to get physical activity throughout the day. For example, take the stairs instead of elevator. If you work at a desk most of the time, get up and walk around a few times during the day.
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