As we age, our metabolism naturally begins to slow down.
Gone are the days when we could eat whatever we want and never gain a pound.
Did you know that the average American gains one pound a year after the age of 25?
This means by the time you’re 60, you can expect to be 35 pounds heavier than you were when you were 25. YIKES!! If nothing else, this scary statistic should get you to the gym more often than not and inspire you to get healthier, quicker!
Regardless of your exercise and eating habits, as your metabolism slows it’s easy for that extra annual pound can sneak in there.
There are ways to naturally speed up your metabolism and keep that extra pound from adding up each year.
1. Eat Regularly
You already know that to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you eat. When most people hear this, they jump on the crash diet bandwagon or cut their calorie intake significantly. Unfortunately, when you significantly decrease the number of calories you eat your metabolism slows as it realizes there is not as much fuel to burn. It then begins to break down precious, calorie-burning muscle for energy leading to muscle loss. To rev up your metabolism and still lose weight, it is recommended that you eat just enough so you’re not hungry, which most likely means you will need small mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks between your three, smaller meals.
2. Build More Muscle
Muscle is a metabolically active tissue meaning that it takes energy to maintain. Building muscle mass can increase your metabolism and help you burn calories faster. By exercising regularly and focusing on strength training, you can build muscle, which in turn increases your metabolism. Keep up with your favorite cardio exercises, but also add in some muscle building exercises a few days a week for an added boost to your metabolism. Check out our metabolism-boosting workout for people of ALL ages, here!
3. Eat More Protein
One of the easiest ways to boost your metabolism and help build extra muscle is to focus on consuming more protein. Swap out complex carbohydrates for lean sources of protein including nuts, legumes, meats and fish. Not only does protein help increase your metabolism, but it keeps your blood sugar levels stable to provide you with an overall increase in energy levels, keeps your body steadily burning calories between meals and can reduce the urge to snack on junk food.
4. Stay Hydrated
Water seems to be the magic ingredient when it comes to everything dealing with your health. And why wouldn’t it? It’s the one thing we cannot live without and our bodies are mostly made up of it. All of your body’s chemical reactions, including your metabolism, need water to function. If you’re dehydrated your metabolism may slow and you may burn up to 2% fewer calories. Try to get in 8-12, 8-ounce glasses of water a day to keep your body fully hydrated and ensure your metabolism is running smoothly. Want some easy ways to make sure you’re getting hydrated enough throughout the day? Check out our Hacks to Stay Hydrated.
5. Get Your Iron
Getting enough iron is essential in many of the body’s metabolic functions, particularly the production of hemoglobin, the protein that binds oxygen for delivery to various organs. If you don’t get enough iron, you’ll feel low energy and your metabolism will slow. The best way to get your fill of iron is to eat naturally iron-rich foods like shellfish, lean meat, beans, fortified cereals and spinach.
6. Drink More Tea
Replace your morning mocha with a cup of brewed Oolong tea. This power tea is full of antioxidants, which slows the signs of aging and fights all sorts of diseases. This type of tea is PACKED with catechins, a type of disease-fighting flavonoid and antioxidant that helps to crank up metabolism.
Researchers conducted a series of studies in dieters and found that those who drank oolong tea lost more weight than those who didn’t, suggesting that catechins may improve fat oxidation and thermogenesis, your body’s production of energy, or heat, from digestion. In addition, it can help decrease body fat, particularly in the stomach area, improves brain function and lowers your risk of various types of cancer.
This is BY FAR the easiest AND HEALTHIEST tip of all. If you do nothing else, make sure to take on this routine for the good of your overall health. Our Oolong teas are fabulous at curbing cravings, boosting energy and immune system, clearing up acne and reversing the aging process, improving digestion, revving up metabolism and burning calories all day long. They are 100% Pure, Premium Chinese Oolong with NO added fillers, NO artificial colors/flavors, NO GMOs, NO pesticides and NO corn or soy. You can be rest assured that you are consuming the BEST possible tea on this planet without worries about drinking pesticides that other teas leave behind – find out more about that here.
You can find pure, premium oolong tea, here!
7. Never Skip Breakfast
Make sure you ALWAYS eat breakfast. Eating a nutrient-rich morning meal (like oatmeal with almonds and berries, or a spinach-and-feta omelet with a slice of whole-grain toast) shortly after getting out of bed literally wakes up your metabolism. Eating breakfast gets the engine going and keeps it going. Make sure you make time for the most important meal of the day.
8. Cut Out Trans Fats
You’ve heard they’re bad for you. But trans fats also slow down your body’s ability to burn fat. They have an altered shape and make your biochemistry run funny. Trans fat binds to fat and liver cells and slows metabolism. Eating trans fat can also lead to insulin resistance and inflammation, both of which cripple metabolism and can cause weight gain. Try to stay away from processed foods and stick to one-ingredient, whole foods, such as, meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, yogurt, cheese, nuts, etc. Basically anything with one-ingredient is a safe bet. My rule is to try and stay away from anything in a box and without complex, hard to pronounce ingredients.
These 8 tips are sure to help rev up your slowing metabolism to keep that extra pound from creeping up on you each year. Adopt them all or just a few, find what works for you and stick with it.
There’s no need for medication or a magic pill to wake up your metabolism. These natural, simple tricks are easy and convenient and won’t wreak havoc on your system.
Let me know your favorite way to boost your metabolism!
Cheers to you!
Yours in Health & Happiness,
Chrissy
P.S. If you know of someone who could benefit from our AMAZING Oolong tea, send them our way and be sure to mention our new easy & convenient Subscribe and Save Program!
