We’ve all heard the excuse from people who are carrying around a little extra weight: it’s my metabolism!
But can this be true? Can difficulty losing weight really be due to a slower-than-average metabolism? And are there legit ways to get a faster metabolism?
Yes! Here are some medically-proven tips to speed up your metabolism:
1. Exercise.
Doing regular aerobic workouts will burn more calories in the short term, and doing regular weight training will help you build the muscles you need to boost your metabolism in the long run. This is because muscles burn more calories than fat — one pound of muscle burns 35 calories per day, while one pound of fat only burns 2 calories per day.
2. Get your thyroid checked.
A small percentage of us with slower-than-normal metabolisms have thyroid problems, which can also be hereditary. If you’re just not able to regulate your metabolism, ask your doctor if your thyroid might be an issue.
3. Be reasonable.
Heredity plays a big role in how fast or slow your body makes and uses energy, so be reasonable. Don’t expect to be able to make big changes.
4. Eat red peppers, too.
Eating red peppers with a high-protein snack, rather than one that’s loaded with carbs, will give your metabolism a boost. In fact, eating at all will kick your metabolism up a bit for a little while. The effects of the red peppers, or any spicy food, are relatively brief, about half an hour or so.
5. Drink green tea.
Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a chemical that can rev up your metabolism much the same way red peppers do.
Hey Jen,
I totally adore sports or any kind of exercise but I tried Aerobics and I totally love it. Twice a week, an hour each I exersise and it even helped me to resolve some back pains cause I was so stiff before!
And I didn’t know about Red Peppers, cause I totally love them and all spicy food. I’ll have to include red peppers in more meals and add some spice to it, now knowing they’re so good for metabolism!
Thanks for your tips :)
Hi Jennifer! This is really a great post with useful advices for me because my metabolism is very lazy :((, I heard something about hot peppers but I don’t like them. Anyway I’m trying to maintain my weight because for the past 2-3 years I’ve been bouncing up and down with the kg :)
I’m unemployed right now, so I’m taking advantage of all my free time and doing 2 hours of exercise a day (including weight lifting machines), 4-6 days a week. I’m eating five meals a day just like mentioned in this article, which is a lot more food than I was eating previously. I’m also eating a lot of veggies & fruits. I’ve lost 15.5 pounds in the past 3 months and the best part is that I’m getting firm and getting some muscle. I can feel the difference in strength in my legs and arms and everyone has commented that I look great. :D It really is a wonderful, healthy feeling!
Ronnie,
That’s just so awesome that you’re using your free time to get fit! All I do when I’m free is sit online! Good for you sweetheart :)
Ronnie,
You’re lucky for some extra time, cause I really don’t find any but I try to fit at least 2 hrs of sports in a week.
Good for you love!
I’ll follow your example, in which I eat more meals in a day with esser portions :)