As you get older your metabolism starts to slow down, especially for women. Women who are over the age of 40 have an uphill battle with hormones, muscle loss, and stress. If you choose not to combat this, then you may find yourself gaining as much as 40 more pounds by the age of 50. But speeding up metabolism isn’t just for women over 40. In addition to the points listed below be sure to continue working out regularly, eating correctly, and consuming the necessary vitamins.
What can you do now to improve your metabolism? Follow these three simple tips to help kick start your metabolism.
Drink More Water
One of the easier things to do is drink more water. Drinking more water has many benefits besides improving your metabolism. In studies done by German researchers, they found that 6 cups of cold water a day can raise the resting metabolism by about 50 calories daily. In addition, drinking water can help you to feel full and not overeat. Try to keep a water bottle by your side at all times and make sure to constantly refill when needed.
Eat More Fiber
Fiber is a complex carb that your body cannot easily digest. It comes in two forms, soluble and insoluble; soluble fiber soaks up water when broken down and insoluble fiber passes through intact. Both are undigested and thus provide no calories. Studies have shown that some fiber can rev your fat burn by as much as 30%. Also, women who eat the most fiber will gain less weight over time. With fiber, the goal is to get around 25g a day, which is about 3 servings of fruits and 3 servings of vegetables.
Eat More Protein
If you want to stay lean you are going to need protein for your muscles. Research has shown that you can increase your post meal calorie burn by as much as 35% by adding protein. Protein is useful throughout the body to make hormones and enzymes, as well as maintain body tissues (think bone, cartilage, and muscle). If you are working out, protein will be the key to helping you recover and build muscle. To eat more protein you can try adding any of the following to your diet: Lean meat, nuts, or low-fat yogurt.
Were these tips helpful? Let us know how you are doing and how progress is coming along. We hope that you will gradually implement these changes and improve your diet. Keep us posted and if you need any additional input be sure to check in with us via social media!
