7 Ways to Rev Your Metabolism (and Burn More Calories)

Rebecca Lewis April 16, 2014

Fat loss begins with a healthy metabolism. The great news is that you don’t need to buy expensive pills to rev your metabolism. There are simple, inexpensive yet better solutions that you can count on! Here they are.

Snack smart.

Eating small meals often is a better way to rev your metabolism than eating large meals several hours in between. Having a light meal after every 3 or 4 hours can keep your metabolism cranking, helping you burn more calories.

Move more.

Aside from helping you grow muscles, regular exercise can also amp your metabolism. If you want bigger metabolic boost, try pushing yourself to your limits by doing high intensity interval training (HIIT). Hire a personal trainer if you need to, or you can simply download videos on how to do HIIT properly.

Build muscle.

Apart from high-intensity exercises, you can also boost your metabolism by incorporating strength and weight training to your routine. If you have lean muscles, your body can burn calories even when you’re at rest. After one session of strength training, muscles all over your body are activated – raising your average daily metabolic rate.

Increase your protein intake.

Your body can burn more calories with protein than with plain starch or carbohydrates. Good sources of protein include fish, lean meat, beans and legumes, whole grains, eggs and low-fat dairy products.

Spice up your meals.

Spicy foods contain natural chemicals that have the ability to boost your metabolism. Add chopped red or green chilli on your favourite dish, pasta, soup or sauce for added flavour. What’s more, eating spicy foods seem to help you eat less, according to a study by Purdue University.

Sip some coffee or green tea.

When consumed in moderation, coffee can temporarily rev your metabolism. Another weight loss perk – caffeine makes you feel less tired and even increase your endurance while you exercise. Not a fan of coffee? Opt for green tea. Research suggests that drinking 2 to 4 cups of tea may help the body burn 17 per cent more calories during moderately intense exercise for a short time. Aside from caffeine, green tea has catechins too which have a powerful effect on your metabolic rate.

Fuel your body with water.

Your body needs water to process calories. Dehydration can cause your metabolic rate to slow down. In one study, adults who drank eight or more glasses of water a day burned more calories than those who drank four. Make it a habit to drink a glass of water before any meal or snack. Also, snack on fruits and vegetables as they also contain water.

Losing weight is so much easier if you have a healthy metabolism. If you have poor metabolism, now is the time to incorporate these simple tweaks in your lifestyle.