Give your Body a Kick-start & Burn that Extra Fat
Metabolism – everyone’s got it, but what differs from one person to the other, is the rate. While it runs like a jet engine for some, for others it moves at the speed of a poorly maintained automobile.
And, this matters because your metabolism has an enormous impact on your ability to shed or gain kilos. It affects the rate at which your body burns calories, how much energy you have for tackling day-to-day work, and it even plays a role in determining your risk levels for diabetes.
Metabolism Unravelled
Before we delve into the vast land of metabolism, understanding it, is necessary to take control of it. Scientifically speaking, metabolism is defined as the combined effect of all the biochemical processes occurring in your body.
Is being concerned about metabolic rates only for those who are trying to lose weight? A big NO, everyone can benefit from a healthy Basic metabolic rate or BMR. It is the rate at which the body burn fuel when it is in a rested state.
In fact, if you experience any of the following symptoms, it could signal a sluggish metabolic rate.
- Chronic fatigue and lack of energy to carry out even the basic routine tasks
- Loss of hair, dry, lifeless skin and brittle fingernails
- Irregular periods
- Constipation and other digestive problems
- Anxiety, depression and mood swings
- Loss of interest in sexual activities
- Bloating and struggling to lose weight, even with regular exercise
- Catching a cold, flu or falling sick frequently
Setting your Metabolism on Track
While it’s true that you inherit your metabolic rate and your genes, gender, age and lifestyle, play a significant role in determining whether it’s fast or slow; new studies indicate that with the right diet and exercise regime, you can reset it.
While it’s true that popping pills in the vain hope to speed up your metabolism does more harm than good, there are other ways to reset it. Yes, with just a few natural lifestyle changes you can literally speed up the process.
Cheer up; you aren’t doomed to your overweight fate. Read on to find the ways to boost your metabolism naturally.
#1: Kick start your Mornings
Eating the right breakfast jump starts your metabolism early on in the day and keeps you energetic throughout the day. This is why women who skip breakfast are likely to be four times heavier than those who have a filling morning meal.
If you’re hard-pressed for time, try popping a homemade energy bar made with whole grains and nuts for a protein boost.
#2: Step up your Workout Game
The next time you walk, jog or hit the gym, try to do an intense 30-second routine every few minutes. Just kick it up a notch for 30 seconds and then return back to your original speed. This strategy increases the number of mitochondria, the powerhouses of your cell. With more mitochondria, you increase the number of calories you burn per day, thereby reducing your waistline.
#3: Keep Stress Levels Low with Pranayama and Yoga
Stress not only takes a toll on the quality of your life but also wrecks your figure. Even if you don’t binge eat during stressful periods like most do, regular chronic stress makes it harder for the body to process calories.
Stress activates the hormone cortisol, and this leads to a sluggish metabolism which in turn leads you to pile up those extra kilos and fall into the hole of depression and anxiety.
Pranayama or breathing techniques are an effective way to take control of your life and to keep stress at bay. Practice a few minutes of Pranayama along with Yoga to improve your overall health, boost your outlook on life and to rev up your metabolism.
#4: Get Sufficient Sleep
Missing out on sleep or not getting quality shut-eye has been proven to slow the metabolic rate in both men and women. Studies state that waking up frequently through the night or broken sleep patterns aren’t as beneficial as seven or more consecutive hours of sleep.
The best way to get deep sleep is to follow a natural, clean eating diet through the day and to include calming Pranayama, right before you hit the sack. If sleep still evades you, try some soothing essential oils to calm your stressed nerves and to help you relax.
#5: Sip on Green Tea
For a long time, green tea has been heralded for its rich dose of antioxidants. Recent studies state that the catechin in it cranks up your metabolism. Five 250 ml cups of green tea throughout the day can increase your daily energy expenditure by 90 calories. Grab a cuppa and melt the fat away.
#6: Switch to Organic
If you’re still undecided if you should head the organic route, then this one may finally help you decide. Veggies and fruits that are grown without being exposed to pesticides keep your fat-burning mechanism in full swing. This is because the pesticides in non-organic foods interfere with your thyroid levels, that act as the internal thermostat of your body and determine how fast your internal engine runs.
#7: Try Natural Ayurvedic Techniques
Ayurveda has a galore of remedies to boost your metabolism. Massage your body with dry Triphala powder to break the toxins and to reduce fatty tissues. Rub it firmly against the direction of hair growth for 45 minutes and brush away the remaining powder.
Else, you can massage sesame oil all over your body to increase circulation and to flush out toxins. Bask in the sun for 10-15 mins or until you begin to sweat, then wash it away to improve metabolism.
Or you can take a hot, salt-water bath to flush out toxins and to improve the functioning of the lymphatic system.
Every Step Counts
Every single conscious lifestyle change you make can improve your overall metabolism levels and keep you healthy, get your dream lean figure, add pep in your step and a smile on your face. Get started today with these simple, natural methods mentioned here.
Boost your Metabolism and Set your Health on the Right Track
