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Try These 10 Simple Ideas to Boost Your Metabolism

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Written by Kim Archer

Sunday, 20 April 2008

Have you been trying to lose weight, and suddenly find yourself stuck on a dieting plateau? If the scale isn't budging despite your best efforts, a sluggish metabolism may be the cause.

by KimArcher

Have you been trying to lose weight, and suddenly find yourself stuck on a dieting plateau? If the scale isn't budging despite your best efforts, a sluggish metabolism may be the cause.

Metabolism is a complex process that converts calories from food into energy to help your body function efficiently. If you have a high metabolism, you'll burn fat and lose weight with less difficulty than someone with a slow metabolism, even if you both eat the same amount and are equally active.

If you have a slow metabolism, you won't be able to eat as much as someone with a higher metabolism without the risk of gaining weight. That said, there are things you can do to increase your metabolic rate and continue on towards your desired weight goal.

Here are 10 tips to maximize your metabolism:

1. Exercise. This is the single most effective way to raise your metabolism. The more muscle tissue you have, the more calories you'll burn during everyday activities. Work out with weights at least twice a week, and fit in 30 minutes daily of cardiovascular exercise. Go for a brisk walk, run on the treadmill or cross train at the gym. Fit fitness into your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking your car further from the building, or doing some energetic housecleaning.

2. Eat mini meals. Having four to six substantial snacks throughout the day instead of three big meals will keep your metabolism revving all day.

3. Don't miss a meal. If you assume that skipping meals leads to weight loss, you're wrong. If you don't give your body nourishment when it needs it, your metabolism thinks that you're starving and slows down to conserve energy. Following tip number 2 and don't go too long without eating.

4. Eat more whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. These foods help to keep your metabolism on an even keel.

5. Spice it up. Spicy foods such as hot peppers have been shown to boost your metabolism.

6. Cut back on or even eliminate sugar. Sugar is a high calorie food that raises blood sugar levels significantly and then causes them to crash; this can make you store fat.

7. Drink plenty of water. When your body burns fat, it produces toxins. If you don't take in enough fluids to flush them out, your metabolism slows down.

8. Sip some green tea. Research has demonstrated that green tea can increase metabolism. Plus, it has many other health benefits that make it a valuable part of your diet.

9. Get some sleep. Studies have shown a correlation between not getting enough sleep and weight gain.

10. Control your stress. Emotional and physical stress can cause the release of cortisol, a steroid hormone that slows down the metabolism. Also, you're likely to eat more when you're stressed out.

Remember that on any weight loss program, the occasional plateau is normal. So if the scale doesn't budge on occasion, don't give up. Follow the tips above to give your metabolism a boost so that you keep burning calories and continue on to your weight loss goals. Remember that eating well and exercising are permanent changes you're making, not just something quick you do to lose some weight. It's a lifestyle change, not a quick fix.

About the Author:

Kim Archer writes about women's wellness. She is publisher of The Internet Spa, where you'll find up-to-date information to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.

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