Lifestyle Changes to Boost Your Metabolism and Shape a Healthier You

One of the most important things you can do to prioritize your health is to keep your metabolism in check. We all know that higher metabolism means increased energy and productivity, but how can you get your metabolism working for you? The good news is that there are plenty of steps you can take to boost your metabolism naturally. If you follow these steps, your increased metabolism will provide you with more energy, aid in healthy weight management and guarantee quality rest.  Let’s look at some simple tips to help you kickstart your metabolism into high gear. ​

​Get Plenty of Quality Sleep 
Lack of sleep is one of the most common causes of low energy levels, affecting your ability to enjoy your day without feeling sluggish. Not only does sleep deprivation affect your external productivity, but it also reduces your metabolic rate because your body is forced to conserve energy. Your body needs time to rest and recover, so ensure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. 

It is also important to improve the quality of your sleep so that your body can truly rest throughout the night. In order to do this, make sure you are sleeping in your ideal sleep environment and you put away all screens at least an hour before bedtime. Having a consistent and healthy nighttime routine allows you to relax and drift off easily into a peaceful slumber. Getting a good night’s sleep every night will improve your metabolism and benefit your overall wellbeing.

Stay Hydrated
Making sure you stay hydrated throughout the day will help keep your body functioning at its peak performance level. When your body is dehydrated, it can cause fatigue, brain fog, and other issues that can slow down your metabolism. It is extremely important to make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day. An achievable goal would be to aim for half of your body weight in ounces daily.

In addition to water, enjoying green tea or oolong tea has also been shown to increase metabolism and fat burning. These teas convert some of the fat stored in your body into free fatty acids which increase the fat burning associated with exercise. Studies have also shown that the caffeine in coffee can help temporarily boost metabolism. However, drinking sugary coffees or teas will not positively impact your metabolism. The metabolic benefits of hydration are associated with water, freshly-brewed tea and black coffee.

Eat Regularly
Eating regularly helps keep your blood sugar levels stable, giving you more energy throughout the day. Eating breakfast in the morning is especially important because it sets the tone for the rest of the day . If you eat a nutritious breakfast, it will be easier to stay on track with healthy eating habits throughout the day. In fact, skipping meals will negatively affect your metabolism because eating too few calories will force your body to slow down and conserve energy. The body relies on balance and regularity, so keeping a consistent eating schedule will keep your gut healthy and improve resting energy expenditure.

Prioritize Protein
Each of your meals should include protein, the building block of muscle tissue, which helps your body burn more calories even when at rest. Eating more protein boosts your metabolism and also provides you with a greater sense of fullness to prevent overeating. Aim to get 25-30 grams of protein in each meal or snack throughout the day. Good protein sources include lean meats like chicken and fish, eggs, nuts and seeds, legumes, tofu, tempeh, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese. 

Exercise Regularly
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to boost your metabolism, so make sure you are making time for physical activity each week. Your exercise routine should be a healthy balance of cardio and strength training. You don’t have to go all out with your cardio – just taking a walk, cycling or practicing yoga will help get things moving in the right direction. It is equally important to implement full body weight training since the addition of muscle mass to your body results in your body burning more calories even at rest.

Just Stand Up
Simply standing up is one of the easiest ways to boost your metabolism. During long work days, find time to take short breaks throughout the day to stand up and move around. If possible, invest in a standing desk or take one of your work calls on a walk outside. Long periods of sitting encourage your body to burn fewer calories; therefore, breaking up this time with some movement will have a positive outcome on metabolism. In addition to waking up your metabolism, standing up and moving around for brain breaks will benefit your mental health and overall wellbeing.

It’s never too late to start making positive changes to lead a healthier lifestyle. Boosting your metabolism is not just about losing weight, but also about increasing energy and strength within your body. Start today by implementing these tips into your daily routine and watch as they transform how productive and energized you feel each day and how much progress you make towards reaching those health goals. Revving up your metabolism doesn’t have to be complicated - it just takes consistency and dedication

If need extra support and accountability on your health journey, then working with a health coach might be the perfect solution for you. During a strategy session we will discuss your goals and come up with a plan that is tailored specifically for you. If you are ready to take action and create the life you love, click here now to schedule your free call.