Boost Your Metabolism

We hear it all the time: "My metabolism has slowed down as I've gotten older."  But, contrary to what many people believe, a slow metaboism does not have to be an inevitable consequence of aging.

There are safe & natural ways to keep your metabolism strong & healthy throughout your life.

Here are five things you can do to boost your metabolism, plus the most important thing to avoid:

1. Increase your muscle mass by strength training. Your muscle is your "fat-burning machinery." Muscle is active tissue, and requires many more calories on a daily basis than fat does. The more muscle on your body, the more calories you burn per day, every day!

2. Boost your calorie burn with cardio.  Not only do you blast away calories while you're exercising, but you continue to burn a higher number of calories for up to an hour after you've finished your workout!

3. Begin your day with breakfast.  Going many hours without food in your system makes your body go into "starvation mode." That is, your metabolism slows down to conserve energy.  Stoke your furnace each morning by eating a healthy breakfast.

4. Eat small portions more often. Keep that furnace going throughout the day!

5. Drink at least 8 cups of water daily.  All chemical processes in your body require water. Keep yourself hydrated to keep your metabolism working strong.

And, here's what you need to avoid -- THE most detrimental thing you can do for your metabolism: Yo-Yo Dieting!

When you lose weight quickly, you lose muscle along with fat.  When you gain it back, you gain back only fat. With less muscle on your body, you will burn fewer calories every day.

After months, years or decades of yo-yo dieting, you can severely lower you metabolism and find it increasingly difficult to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight. 

But, there is hope!  If you feel you have a slow metabolism, follow our five metabolism-boosting tips above. And be patient!  It took time to lower your metabolism, so it will take time to speed it up again.