Any tips for speeding up metabolism?

I have been following a diet-- off and on pretty much where I eat 1000 to 1500 calories a day. I know I need to work out more-- but I feel like my metabolism has slowed down so much as a result of eating this way-- that is is so hard to lose weight, and a little slip here or there-- and before I know it-- I have put on another pound or two.

Anyone have any tips for speeding up metabolism? I need to really lose like 6 to 10 lbs (depending on the day).

Re: Any tips for speeding up metabolism?

When you drastically change your eating habits and lower the amount of calories you are giving your body, it's going to react by storing whatever you give it, to protect itself against starvation. (metabolism slows down)

The key to maintaining a healthy body weight is to reduce fat and increase muscle mass. Muscle burns more calories than fat, even when you are just sitting around doing nothing.

To increase metabolism, you need to increase your activity level and make sure you are getting enough calories to fuel your body, but still at a deficit so that you are losing weight (more calories burned than calories consumed).

Most people have fluctuations in body weight naturally. Over the course of a day, you could go up or down 2-3 pounds. So don't stress over every little pound. If you weigh yourself once a week and notice you are staying the same or gainging a pound/week, then you need to increase exercise and decrease calories.

Re: Any tips for speeding up metabolism?

yeah-- my problem is I am "always on a diet"... and in turn, my body has slowed down. I KNOW I need to exercise more... But, every day I walk 2 miles just getting back and forth from work... it's not like I am a total lump on the couch.

I just need to stop obsessing over the calories and eat healthful-- which is what I try to do-- expect when I am trying to diet hardcore. The most important thing is added exercise back into the mix-- I was jjust looking for another tactics that I can use.

Re: Any tips for speeding up metabolism?

Don't know what to tell you other than exercise, specifically weight lifting - it's the best way to speed up your metabolism. That, and eating 5 - 6 small meals a day.

Re: Any tips for speeding up metabolism?

You should probably increase to a more "normal" amount of healthy calories. There were times when i thought I was going to gain weight, I ahd eaten so much, but I actually LOST weight, because I was speeding up my metabolism. Try eating several small meals a day, and gaining muscle will definitely help!

Re: Any tips for speeding up metabolism?

Eat every three to four hours, to keep your metabolism up during the entire day.

Of those 1000 - 1500 calories, are you eating 5 servings of vegetables/fruits?

I always did very well when I added olive oil to my diet...having a salad every day for lunch (usually with either a veggie burger cut up on top or some chick peas/kidney beans for protein), and I'd always make my own salad dressing with oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper.


Are you getting enough fat in your diet? You need a certain amount of fat in order to burn fat (kind of related to the olive oil discussion above).

Those last 5 lbs are always tough, but I'm sure you'll do it.

Re: Any tips for speeding up metabolism?

Posted by Kathy116

Eat every three to four hours, to keep your metabolism up during the entire day.

Of those 1000 - 1500 calories, are you eating 5 servings of vegetables/fruits?

I always did very well when I added olive oil to my diet...having a salad every day for lunch (usually with either a veggie burger cut up on top or some chick peas/kidney beans for protein), and I'd always make my own salad dressing with oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper.


Are you getting enough fat in your diet? You need a certain amount of fat in order to burn fat (kind of related to the olive oil discussion above).

Those last 5 lbs are always tough, but I'm sure you'll do it.

Re: Any tips for speeding up metabolism?

Posted by randella

Posted by Kathy116

Eat every three to four hours, to keep your metabolism up during the entire day.

Of those 1000 - 1500 calories, are you eating 5 servings of vegetables/fruits?

I always did very well when I added olive oil to my diet...having a salad every day for lunch (usually with either a veggie burger cut up on top or some chick peas/kidney beans for protein), and I'd always make my own salad dressing with oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper.


Are you getting enough fat in your diet? You need a certain amount of fat in order to burn fat (kind of related to the olive oil discussion above).

Those last 5 lbs are always tough, but I'm sure you'll do it.

thanks-- I am a vegetarian so I try very hard to eat balanced meals and I eat two to three fruit, veggie and dairy servings a day. I also make sure that I am eating protein with every meal as well.

I think from an eating perspective-- I need to focus on healthful balanced meals-- which I already do-- and just don't try to have as few calories as possible. Overall, I do eat pretty healthy-- but I am a little obsessive and freak out when I have to go out to eat when I am trying to diet-- also, from being a veggie- I don't always have the best options when I go out. I also weigh myself everyday and get depressed very easily and unmotivated.

I also need to amp up the exercise.

Message edited 3/16/2007 6:30:56 PM.

Re: Any tips for speeding up metabolism?

thanks for the tips!

I just cannot stand being 7 to 10 lbs overweight anymore-- nothing fits/looks good and I feel so ugly and fat all the time.

I am going away in May and Dec and I have another wedding in a month and a half-- hope I can get mu shite together by then.

Re: Any tips for speeding up metabolism?

When I go out to eat, I order whatever I want for my meal but only eat half. Then I don't feel guilty (or too stuffed) later on.

I also agree about breaking up your meals into more frequent, smaller ones. This keeps your energy and sugar levels up and stable. And will keep your metabolism higher too.

Those last few pounds are always the hardest. I am at my last 7 too and every time I get on the scale, the number is the same. Very frustrating!