5 Ways to Boost Metabolism and Burn Calories

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It’s not fair that a man can burn calories when he’s sleeping while a woman has to actually work for it. For a woman to burn calories when she’s doing nothing, she has to have muscles like a man. You probably shouldn’t share that fact with the man in your life, especially if he is a couch potato.

Here's five ways a woman can boost her metabolism and burn more calories. As for men, just sleep on it.

1. Kick it up a notch. When Emeril Lagasse says this, he’s making one of his yummy dishes a bit more exciting. On the other hand, women need to kick up the exercise.

By taking an aerobics class 2 or 3 days a week, you can boost your metabolism for hours after the workout. Rather take a walk than a class? Try jogging short sprints during your walk time. It will burn more calories when you kick up your heart rate.

2. Water, water, everywhere. Samuel Taylor Coleridge was referring to the ocean in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, but in this case, women need to drink enough water to keep the body hydrated. But, water also keeps the metabolism going and, thus, processing the calories.

Studies have shown that people who drank eight or more glasses of water a day, burned more calories that those who only drank four glasses. Get tired of plain ol’ water? Add a slice of lemon, lime, or orange for a refreshing kick. Believe it or not, just adding ice may burn up to 10 calories a day.

3. I’ll never be hungry again. Scarlet O’Hara learned the hard way what it was like to be hungry, but luckily, we’re in the 21st century.

Studies confirm that eating every three to four hours keeps hunger at bay and the metabolism revved. Eat a healthy snack between regular mealtimes such as an apple or some raw carrots to burn more calories.

4. Incredible Edible Egg. Even Rocky Balboa knew the egg was an excellent source of muscle-building protein, but it doesn’t have to be a raw egg.

Adding a (cooked) egg or two, a 3-4 ounce serving of turkey, fish, or white meat chicken, can add the protein required for burning more energy compared to fat and carbs. Other sources of protein include nuts, beans, and certain low-fat dairy products.

5. Coffee, tea, or me...er...dark chocolate. Sources from Prevention.com suggest that caffeine in coffee and black tea can boost the metabolism and burn calories, as long as you stay away from cream and sugar.

Green tea and dark chocolate contain catechins, natural antioxidants that, along with other healthy benefits raises metabolism by as much as 4 percent a day. One ounce of dark chocolate a day? Yes, we can do that.

See below for more information about boosting metabolism and burning calories.

Sources:

Metabolism and weight loss: How you burn calories. October 6, 2009
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/metabolism/WT00006

Slideshow: 10 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism. June 13, 2011
http://www.webmd.com/diet/slideshow-boost-your-metabolism

Burn More Calories -- By Eating! Prevention. March 2011\
http://www.prevention.com/health/weight-loss/eat-to-lose-weight/healthy-foods-that-boost-metabolism/article/81e365680a90e210VgnVCM10000030281eac____

Reviewed September 13, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg R.N.
Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.