“Metabolism” refers to the process by which our bodies burn calories in order to function properly. People who have “high” metabolisms burn more calories than those with “slow” metabolisms. Many theories exist about how you can increase your metabolism to make your body burn more energy. Some supplements, for instance, seek to increase fat burning by accelerating your heart rate.
To increase your metabolism naturally and burn more fat without causing your body harm, try these five methods.
1. Build muscle.
Even when at rest, muscle burns more calories than fat. That’s why people with more muscle mass burn more energy. To increase your metabolism, engage in strength training to build lean muscle mass and burn fat.
2. Eat breakfast.
When you’re sleeping, you’re not eating. Essentially, your body is on a fast. Break the fast with breakfast, and jumpstart your metabolism so that it starts burning fuel; otherwise, your body will go into “starvation mode.” That is, your metabolism will slow down, and your body will store the fat you’re trying to lose.
3. Choose whole foods.
Digesting food takes energy. Because processed foods require less digestion, they require your body to expend less energy than whole foods do. Therefore, if you eat whole, unprocessed foods, your body will spend more energy on the process of digestion, and your metabolism will increase.
4. Pick lean protein.
Like whole, unprocessed foods, lean protein requires more energy for digestion. White-meat chicken, lean cuts of beef and pork, and egg whites are all good sources of lean protein that will boost your metabolism.
5. Take a supplement.
If you’re trying to lose weight, make increasing your metabolism a daily priority by exercising, eating whole foods and lean protein, and starting your day off with a good breakfast. Also consider taking a daily supplement such as Beachbody’s Slimming Formula. It contains green tea extract and pyruvat, both of which will increase your metabolism naturally.
