How do I speed up my metabolism?

Metabolism is the process whereby your body converts calories into energy. Although metabolism plays a part in maintaining your weight, it is not the sole factor. Eating right and exercising are your best defense against unwanted pounds. You can do several things, however, to boost metabolism, which can aid in weight loss. A successful strategy will encompass a combination of lifestyle modifications that address diet, exercise and measures for taking good care of your body.

Eating the Right Way

Those who eat every two to three hours have a higher metabolism than those who stick to two or three regular meals daily, according to WebMD. Every time you eat, you stimulate your metabolism. Each mini-meal should be healthy and contain whole foods and a good protein source such as lean meat, eggs or nuts. Wring for MSN.com, certified nutritional specialist Shari Lieberman advises against skipping breakfast and eating lots of sugary foods--they encourage your body to store fat. Omega-3 fatty acids--EPA and DHA--found in fish oil might also dramatically boost metabolism, according to WebMD. Supplementing might be best, though. Aim for at least 300 mg of EPA and DHA total.

Exercising the Right Way

Exercise is key to maintaining health and a normal body weight. You can do specific things, though, to benefit your metabolism. Adding interval training to your normal workout routine can burn an extra 100 to 200 calories post-workout, according to WebMD. Interval training involves adding short bursts of intense exercise during your normal routine. For example, sprint for 30 seconds between every two to three minutes of walking or jogging. You need to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes at least three times a week, according to Lieberman. Building lean muscle mass will also benefit your metabolism by helping you burn an extra 100 to 200 calories daily.

Other Tools

Other things to add to your metabolism-boosting strategy include getting enough sleep--lack of sleep decreases the amount of calories your body burns--staying hydrated with water, decreasing stress and reducing your reliance on heating and cooling appliances, which cause our bodies to use less energy trying to regulate our body temperature.

Source:

MSN.com: Boosting your Metabolism

WebMD.com: Increase your Metabolism