A good workout schedule is a great way to keep
yourself fit and to maintain a healthy metabolism, but there are other things
you can do to supplement your workout. Here are just some of the ways you can
keep your body in top shape, and help it make the most out of your regular
exercise.
Don't skip breakfast:
Eating a good healthy breakfast is crucial in maintaining optimal energy levels
throughout the day. Skipping breakfast will send your body into
"starvation mode", and slow its metabolism.
Eat more foods with lean
protein:
Lean protein require a lot more energy to burn and digest, which increases your
metabolism. Try eating more chicken and tinned fish in water, and you'll see
they keep you full and satisfied for a longer time.
Eat lots of omega-3 rich
foods:
Omega-3 are fatty acids that contain a myriad of benefits to your body and
boost itmetabolism. Don't let the term "fatty" scare you, these are
acids that help regulate your blood sugar and your metabolism steady. Good
sources for omega 3 are foods like avocados, fish and walnuts.
Eat yogurt:
Just yogurt, not some froyo with a ton of cookies, sprinkles and gummy bears.
Simple, low fat, yogurt contains nutrients which raise your bodies resting
metabolic rate.
Eat dark chocolate:
The caffeine and the antioxidants in dark chocolate are both known to be
metabolism boosters. However, make sure you eat brands with 70% cacao and
above, anything lower has too much sugar and fat.
Take some time to breathe:
It might sound silly, but taking a few minutes every day to focus on some heavy
deep breathing is very beneficial. Deep relaxed breathing brings more oxygen
into your body which helps you burn more energy.
Eat healthy snacks:
Small healthy snacks during the day can keep your energy level consistent. This
will keep your metabolism high by maintaining normal blood sugar levels at all
times of the day. Remember not to overdo it so you'll still be able to eat
normal sized regular meals and to only eat healthy snacks.
Eat nuts:
Walnuts, pecans and pistachios contain many vitamins, minerals and essential
fatty acids that aid in boosting metabolism. A handful a day is more than enough
and it's also a good idea for a healthy snack.
Spice up your food:
Spicy foods and condiments contain capsaicin, which been shown to increase
metabolic rates by increasing your hormone levels.
Drink green tea:
Green tea contains phenols, chemical compounds that increase your body’s
ability to burn energy and calories.
Don't skip meals:
Much like skipping breakfast, skipping any other meal is just as bad for your
metabolism. If you're hungry, just eat and make sure it's healthy food.
Drink water:
Green tea, coffee and energy drinks may all have their benefits but nothing
beats a cold glass of water. Drinking six cups of cold water a day can boost
your metabolism by burning up an extra 50 calories a day.
Relax:
Taking the time to alleviate your stress will benefit your life in more ways
than one. Stress causes the production of cortisol which can slow your metabolism
down. So take some time to read a book, listen to some music or take a massage,
whatever helps you relax.
Eat a light snack before
sleep:
To keep your nocturnal metabolism high as well as your daily, eat a light snack
before going to bed. If you just had a big meal shortly before going to sleep,
then it's not needed and it's even recommended to wait a bit before you go into
bed.
Get a good night's sleep:
Rest is essential for a healthy metabolism. Sleeping for eight hours nightly
will increases your energy levels throughout the day. It will also help keep
stress hormones and blood sugar levels stable, an important part of any healthy
life style.
Regards
Ankush D Shilimkar