Your metabolism is like a combustion engine. It turns food into fuel, and it's responsible for producing, maintaining, and destroying material substances that drive vitality. Every part in your body depends on the metabolism of calories for energy.
After the age of 20, your metabolism begins to decline. But you can keep your pistons popping with high-octane fuel, and a regular spin around the block.
Fuel Your Furnace
Your body has to work to digest nutrient-dense foods. Fiber in green vegetables offset high-calorie carvings. Your body works harder to digest fiber, which burns more calories in the process.More: 6 Green Super Foods to Add to Your Diet
Clean protein makes you lean because your body uses it instead of storing it. Choose protein shakes, egg whites, fish and seafood, turkey breast, nonfat cottage cheese, and protein bars that have at least 15 grams of protein.
Less is More
High-intensity workouts will burn calories and build muscle, but your body will reach for easily accessible carbs for fuel. Burning fat requires regular doses of low-intensity exercise. A slow and steady burn will help improve your metabolism. You should alternate between high-intensity and low-intensity workouts to reach your fitness goals.
Spice Burns
Capsaicin, found in jalapenos, habaneros and cayenne peppers, is a bioactive ingredient that makes chili peppers hot. It has been proven to double energy expenditure for three hours after a meal. Ginger aids in digestion, increases body temperature and raises metabolic rates as much as 20 percent after eating.More: Weight Training Can Be More Effective at Raising Metobalic Rate
Blazing Beverages
A cup of coffee will charge your batteries, and speed up your metabolism. Phenols in green tea have thermogenic properties that promote energy expenditure. Hydrate with water to help boost your metabolic rate as much as three percent.
Whey Your Weight
Low carb and low fat whey proteins boost your metabolism more than soy or milk based proteins. Drinking a whey protein shake for breakfast will boost your metabolism by 25 percent. It's low in calories, high in lean protein, and easy to make.More: The Role of Protein in Exercise Recovery
Rev up your engine with a diet rich in vegetables, high-quality protein and walks in the park. You can shed unwanted pounds and have more energy to burn.
Boost your metabolism in a fitness class.
About the Author
Judi Sheppard Missett
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