5 Ways to Speed Up Metabolism and Lose Weight

More and more people are looking for quick ways to lose weight. Unfortunately losing weight does not always have a quick fix and more often then not those who try this weight loss fads end up gaining the weight back. A better and more long term weight loss solution is to speed up your metabolism which encourages the body to burn more calories even while at rest.

In fact as more people have become aware that some of the faddish diet and weight loss programs are not exactly good for their health they have come to realize that following a more gradual approach to weight loss is much better for them. This is not to say that all diets or other weight loss diets are bad for you, but it does pay to research the affects they may have before attempting them. In the long run though, using your body's natural weight reducing engine, its metabolism is the best way to go.

Here are five easy tips you can use to speed up your metabolism and start losing the weight you've always wanted to.

1. Eat Breakfast: A proper breakfast composed of foods high in complex carbohydrates will get your day started right by giving your body the energy it needs for the first half of the day. Skipping breakfast has the opposite effect of what most people think and the lack of caloric energy can actually cause your metabolism to slow down.

2. Eat More Meals: This doesn't mean eat more it through out the day. Eat 5 or 6 smaller healthy meals during the day to keep your energy levels up. This will keep you from snacking on fattening foods and gives your body the energy it needs which leads to a metabolism increase.

3. Don't Count Calories: Preoccupying yourself with the number of calories you consume each day is self defeating. It is much more important to be aware of the type of calories you are eating. Eating healthy foods that are complex carbohydrate dense and full of protein, and vitamins and minerals will go a long ways towards achieving your weight loss goals.

4. Get Enough Sleep: Recent research has shown that people actually gain weight if they don't get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. This is the time the body heals and repairs itself and not getting enough sleep interferes with this process.

5. Exercise: No weight loss program would be complete without some form of exercise. The type you choose is up to you but increasing your activity level is one of the best ways to speed up metabolism both during and after exercise. As you get stronger and in better shape you will find you are able to add to your exercise regimen for even greater results.

These are five easy ways to speed up your metabolism which will make your weight loss goals much easier to meet. By treating your body with respect and giving it the nutrition it needs you will find that losing those excess pounds is much easier and it will stay off if you continue to lead this healthy lifestyle.