Turn up the METABOLISM!
Exercise. Eat. Drink. Sleep. Repeat. HUH?
A common question I get is how to really crank up the metabolism or break a plateau to get results. If you’re like me, upcoming events can really help you pour your focus into doing what is needed to be in the shape you want to be. And if being in bathing suits, shorts and tank tops isn’t reason enough, I don’t know what is! Ok, so we’ve got the event and the goal date – now what?
Exercise! So you’ve been working out, but you’re not seeing results anymore or you hit a plateau. It’s time to CHANGE IT UP! Of course you know I love Beachbody’s workout programs because they include a ton of different routines and a schedule so you know what to do on each day so that your body doesn’t catch on to a constant routine and stop responding. If you’re doing your own workouts at home or at the gym, change them up. Different cardio, strength training, swimming, roller blading, cycling, running, whatever – Keep mixing it up and it will keep shocking your body and you will continue to burn calories, lose fat and get fit.
Eat! Ok, so you’re probably eating already too but how often? Every few hours! Think of your metabolism like a fire – you’ve got to keep good fuel on it every few hours to keep it burning. Don’t go many hours and then eat a huge meal – that’s like throwing a pile of wet wood on a fire that is already just smoldering. Like small pieces of kindling wood, small meals throughout the day is what will keep you satisfied and keep the fire burning. And keep it clean. Really – trade the processed food for a lot of vegetables, lean protein, beans, nuts and fruits and you will see a difference. We’ve got to eat, so make what you’re eating work FOR you, not against you! But word of advice- KNOW YOUR DAILY CALORIC NEEDS! Eating too many calories often defeats the purpose!
Drink! Uh hem…we’re talking water here folks! Flush your body, get rid of toxins, feel full, get the oxygen flowing and have more energy by staying hydrated! If you’re not drinking enough water, you are going to have a very hard time losing weight or getting really physically fit.
Sleep! Yep, it’s a known fact that not getting adequate, quality rest can make you eat more even when you’re not hungry and can increase fat storage. Not getting enough sleep interferes with the body’s ability to metabolize carbohydrates and causes high blood levels of glucose, which leads to higher insulin levels and greater body-fat storage, drives down leptin levels, which causes the body to crave carbohydrates, reduces levels of growth hormone–a protein that helps regulate the body’s proportions of fat and muscle and more. So make it a priority to get enough sleep!
So there you have it. Exercise, Eat, Drink, Sleep, Repeat! It really is a simple solution; just put it into action, keep it effective and don’t give up!!