Metabolism: 5 Ways to Boost it for Effective Weight Loss

In order to effectively lose weight, it is essential to boost your metabolism. This is why quick weight loss methods such as fasting or eating a very few calories do not work. When you fast or eat too few calories, your body goes into starvation mode and your metabolism slows down in the process. Yes, the scale may tell you that you are quickly losing weight. What it doesn't tell you is that most of the weight you are losing is water, and when you start eating normally again, the numbers on the scale will go right back up again, even faster than before.

The good news is that you do not have to starve yourself in order to lose weight. In order to lose weight, you must cut your caloric intake and raise your metabolism. In order to raise your metabolism, you must eat. It sounds a bit contradictory, doesn't it?

The trick is eating healthy foods, with enough calories (not too many calories) at the right time. Here are some tried and true metabolism boosters:

Eat breakfast. This will give your metabolism a big boost early in the day. The good news is that it will stay with you. Therefore, any calories you eat during the day will burn off at a faster rate than if you had skipped breakfast. Numerous studies have shown that people who are obese rarely eat breakfast.

In a weight loss support group of 24 women, a poll was taken. Of the 24 obese women, 20 of them said they never ate breakfast, stating that they were never hungry in the mornings. Further questions revealed that they were hungry late at night and often found themselves eating a lot before bedtime. It was suggested to these women that they stop eating past 8 pm to see if this would affect their early morning hunger.

Of the women who decided to participate in the experiment, they all reported feeling hungry shortly upon waking. They began eating breakfast as a result. No longer did they feel ravenous at bedtime and the weight began to slowly come off.

Drink green tea. Studies have shown that green tea is a great metabolism booster. It is also rich in antioxidants. Sipping on green tea during the day is a great pick me up and will assist in burning calories.