When it comes to weight loss, there are tons of tips and strategies you could try. Losing weight is a process that requires dedication and commitment. You also have to learn what works best for your body. Certain diets and types of exercises might not have the same effect for you as they might a friend. However, there is one thing we all have in common: our metabolism. Your metabolism determines how quickly and efficiently your body burns up fat. But as we grow older or gain weight, it can slow down. Here are five metabolism-boosting strategies to amplify your weight loss.
1. Try High-Intensity Exercise
This is a little more than your average cardio workout routine. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) combines a variety of movements with high, quick bursts of energy. One of the best benefits of this is that you’ll raise your metabolic rate. This means even after finish working out, your body will continue to burn fat. Add a few high energy bursts of intense exercise in order to raise your metabolism and burn more fat.
2. Stay Hydrated
There is a great number of people who spend their days dehydrated. But dehydration over an extended period of time causes a slowed metabolism. So you want to really try to get at least 64 ounces (or 8 glasses) of pure water every day. If this sounds a little hard, don’t worry. You get water from things like coffee and some of the foods you eat, too. Drinking more water will not only boost your metabolism and increase your weight loss, but you’ll also have more energy and clearer skin.
3. Actually Get Some Sleep
Who would’ve guessed that sleeping would help with weight loss? Not getting enough sleep will cause your internal fat-burners to get out of synch. You can add a supplement to your daily routine to help you get into an enhanced, deeper slumber. Another thing that happens from sleep deprivation is poor food choices and weight gain. When you’re groggy, you’re more prone to pick foods that are easier and usually, worse for you (like fast food or a quick snack that’s high in sugar).
More sleep means better metabolism and a decrease in your body producing the hormone Ghrelin, which is responsible for feelings of hunger. Once you start getting a regular amount of good sleep, your body will also increase the amount of the hormone Leptin, which is responsible for giving you that feeling of being full.
4. Use Natural Food Boosters
Weight loss and metabolism-boosting can be done with a few natural additions to your diet. Various tea has lots of benefits. Green and oolong teas are two teas that can help increase your metabolism. These teas in particular work by converting the fat your body naturally stores into fatty acids that can be easily burned. Given that teas are naturally low in calories, they make a great addition to your weight loss routine.
You can also just try adding healthy, spicy foods to your diet. The capsaicin found in peppers has been shown to increase your metabolism. Just adding a serving of peppers to your meals will prompt additional fat burning. You’ll want to combine this with other boosting strategies to get the full benefit of it. And if you’re one of those who can’t stand the heat, you can add a small amount at a time.
5. Increase Your Protein Intake
It might seem counterintuitive to add foods to your diet if you want to lose weight. But what really matters is the types of food you’re adding. Increasing your daily protein levels will lead to your body burning more fats. There are three major groups to consider when we make our food choices: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Proteins are the hardest and require the most energy from our bodies to digest. The extra energy needed to break down the proteins is what leads to a higher metabolism.
Increasing the number of proteins you eat also has other benefits. While burning the extra fat, your body will also begin building stronger muscles, if you exercise regularly. If you exercise without adding the extra protein, your metabolism will speed up but your body will continue to burn the fats in your body until it gets to the muscles. You can even replace a meal with a protein shake to get this effect.
All in All
With the right combination of exercise, foods, and sleep, you can increase your metabolism. Increasing your metabolism is a vital step toward increasing your weight loss. By following these few simple tips, you’ll find the pounds falling off faster than before. You must remember that the overall process of losing weight takes time. This means you’ll need to be consistent with your food, exercise and sleep patterns as well as patience until you see the results you’re looking for.
About The Author:
Sasha Brown is a widely experienced content writer with a zeal for living naturally. As a Certified Herbalist and mother of one who loves to garden, she can offer you simple solutions on how to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
