Many of us out there that are interested in losing weight, getting in shape, or simply living a healthy lifestyle are curious about the inner workings of the metabolism. So, the questions are, what is a metabolism, how does it work, and how can you speed it up? Your metabolism is a complex system involving chemicals and hormones that help control where sugars, fats, and calories go when you eat. Having a fast metabolism is ideal as it means you will be burning more calories and you will feel more energetic. If your metabolism has become a bit sluggish lately, try out these tips in order to give it a boost.

Eat a healthy breakfast

Having a healthy breakfast as soon as you wake up is a great way to boost your metabolism. As your body has been resting all night, your metabolic rate will be slower in the morning, and the best way to wake it up is with a healthy breakfast. In fact, eating when you wake up can help boost your metabolism throughout the day by up to 10%.

Drink more water

Not only does drinking water help with your digestive health, your skin, and your overall health, but water can also help increase your metabolism. And if you are trying to lose weight, you should avoid sugary drinks all together and stick to water.There are studies showing that drinking half a liter of water can increase your resting metabolism by 10 to 30% for up to the next hour. Some claim that drinking cold water will help to boost your metabolism even more as your body has to use energy to bring the water up to body temperature in order to utilize it for hydration.

Eat smaller meals more often

Your metabolism works better with smaller meals that are spread out throughout the day. While eating two or three large meals can actually slow your metabolism down, eating 3 light meals and 2 healthy snacks can speed it up.

Get your Vitamin B in

Vitamin B is known to help increase metabolism as it contributes to the process of turning certain foods you eat into energy. Not having enough can lead to a sluggish metabolism, fatigue, and more. You can get more into your diet by eating spinach, broccoli, melons, beans, fish, and eggs.

Lift weights and do HIIT workouts

The higher your muscle mass, the higher your metabolic rate. As we age, our muscle mass naturally dissipates. This is why it is especially important to engage in muscle strengthening and building exercises as you age. Regardless of your age, strength and resistance training can help boost your metabolism.Alongside lifting weights, you should also try HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts. HIIT has been shown to be an extremely effective workout while it burns more fat and gives your metabolism a boost.

When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, remember that balance is key. Stay hydrated, get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. Fitness Nation is a clean, vibrant, and innovative Bedford fitness center that can help you achieve your fitness goals. Our gym offers everything you need for your workout from our top-of-line equipment to our variety of group workout classes. Come see us today or contact us for any questions. We look forward to meeting you!