6 Tips To Help Increase Your Metabolism

Put simply, your metabolism is the series of chemical reactions in your body that converts food into the energy you need to function.

If you have a fast metabolism, your body will burn calories during both rest and activity. If you have a slow metabolism, your body will burn fewer calories, meaning you’re more likely to store fat and gain weight.

In an ideal world, we’d have a metabolism that moves quicky enough for us to maintain a healthy weight, but if you’re on a weight loss journey, chances are your metabolism is on the slower side.

With that in mind, here are a few tips to give it a quick shove along. 

Did you know that some foods burn fat? Spicy food, food that's high in protein, and green tea all have been proven to increase your metabolism. If you can, try to incorporate some protein into every meal as it takes more calories to digest than most other foods. Protein also helps you build lean muscle tissue which is linked to fat burning.

Blokes who pump iron generally have better metabolisms as the extra muscle mass helps them burn more calories when they rest.

Science has shown that sleep plays a big role in managing your appetite. Poor sleep is linked to lower levels of leptin, a hormone that makes you feel full. Here are a few tips if you are trying to get a better night's sleep.

When your body isn’t getting enough fuel, your metabolism can slow down, and if you’re on a weight loss journey that’s the last thing you want. It’ll make it harder for you to lose the weight and keep it off! By eating regularly, you’re keeping your metabolism active, giving your gut something to do!

Standing and stepping have been shown to burn more calories than sitting down. So, if you work at a desk, try standing up occasionally. Likewise, don’t be afraid to take a few regular strolls around the office.

High intensity interval training, which involves quick and intense bursts of energy, has been proven to help speed up metabolism as, post-workout, the muscles continue to burn energy (and fat) even while resting. If you’re worried that you’re not in the right condition to try high intensity work outs yet, consult a doctor.