A writer and lyricist with dreams taller than herself.
“It’s not fair,” you tell yourself for the hundredth time. You’re referring to that one friend who’s showing signs of good metabolism; she can eat everything she likes and not gain a single pound. Meanwhile, you have to think twice before ordering something because it might just go straight to your thighs. Or your cheeks.
Don’t beat yourself up about it, though. Some people are born with naturally faster metabolism. We can’t exactly fight genetics. And although there is no definite biological guide on how to have a high metabolism, there are some ways you can stimulate yours.
- Never skip the most important meal of the day.
“The most important meal of the day; serving it up Gary’s way.”
Spongebob might be onto something in that one episode. Breakfast stimulates your metabolism and keeps you powered throughout the day. By breakfast, I mean a balanced meal. A cup of coffee and the occasional apple or banana are not enough.
- Food is not your enemy. Don’t be afraid to eat.
Repeat after me: food is not the enemy. You just have to eat healthy.
Some people think that the quickest way to lose weight is to starve themselves. They might even take pride in conditioning themselves to ignore hunger pangs. But did you know that being hungry all the time might be a sign of good metabolism? Don’t ignore it.
- Raise your glass — of water. At least 8, actually.
“My secret to clear skin and a slim body is water,” said every model ever.
Models don’t tend to talk about their strict diets and skincare secrets, but they aren’t wrong about staying hydrated. The more hydrated you are, the more calories you burn. Drinking water half an hour before meals also fills you up, so you tend to eat less.
- Run some laps. Dance around your room. Be active.
No pain, no gain… But you don’t have to go too far. A simple routine is enough.
There are many ways to love yourself. Daily exercise is one of them. A 30-minute daily routine stimulates your metabolism and helps you shed weight. This method of self-care also releases endorphins that boost your mood, relieve anxiety, and reduce stress.
- All-nighters are a thing of the past. Go to sleep.
“I’m dead tired, I slept at 2am.” “Oh yeah? I slept at 4.”
When you were still in school, it might have seemed cool to sleep really late or party until dawn. As you grow older, sleep deprivation takes a huge toll on your metabolism. Get seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night for better health and a brighter mood.
It All Boils Down to Self-Care
The answer to how you can have a high metabolism is self-care. Eating healthily when you’re hungry, getting enough sleep, and staying hydrated have positive effects on your waistline.
These tips might help you speed up your metabolism, but keep in mind that we’re all different.
Our bodies have unique reactions to external stimuli. Schedule a doctor’s appointment to figure out why you aren’t losing weight and get recommendations on healthy ways to do so.