Aerobic endurance training has a significantly lower effect on basal metabolic rates than strength training. That means you have to do 3 hours of endurance training per week just to offset a single heavy meal. The endurance training afterburn effect is less significant than with strength training as well.

A study of the effect showed that metabolism rate spikes following high-intensity tempo runs lasted 9 hours at the most LaForgia et al. How strong the afterburn effect is depends mainly on the intensity and partly on the duration of a workout. Take a look at the following workout intensity levels to get an estimate of the corresponding afterburn effect:.

Nevertheless, endurance training remains important because it can be done regularly and without great inconvenience. High-intensity interval training HIIT is a particularly effective variation of endurance training. It requires a relatively high amount of energy and gives a significantly higher boost to your metabolism.

Furthermore, a 15—20 HIIT session raises your VO2max — which scores endurance fitness — the same amount as 60 minutes of aerobic endurance training while burning the same amount of calories Helgerud et al.

One thing is true for both aerobic and HIIT training: the higher your stamina and maximal oxygen uptake VO2max , the more your body will break down its fat stores into energy.

Both methods with will contribute to making your metabolism run more smoothly. Still, HIIT exercises are up to three times faster than aerobic endurance training at boosting VO2max Helgerud et al.

Being more active in your daily life is a great way to get your circulation going and keep your metabolism humming. Regular physical activity is actually a great way to speed up your metabolism long term.

Working out solely on the weekends will only have a negligible effect on your metabolism during the rest of the week, no matter how intense the session. Here are some recommendations:. The sauna increases your metabolism and promotes recovery.

It can even increase your maximal oxygen consumption, VO2max Scoon et al. Going to the sauna exposes you to extreme conditions. Of course, the temporary increase in body heat is part of the objective. This temperature jump accelerates your metabolism, having an effect similar to an artificially induced fever.

The body expends a lot of energy, in general, to maintain its temperature. That boosts your metabolism and can help with low blood pressure. Try to get the water as cold as possible as well. You should start hot and finish off cold. Experts say one minute each is a good cycle when you use contrast showers German Society of Internal Medicine [BDI].

Drinking a glass of hot water or a cup of unsweetened tea immediately after you wake up will jump-start your metabolism. During the day, consuming cold meals and drinks can increase your metabolism. Try sipping ice water slowly or sucking ice cubes, for example.

There are a whole slew of academic studies showing that sleep-deprived people tend to be overweight Spiegel et al. Scientists suspect that a lack of sleep slows down the metabolism, and that sleep-deprived people simply have less energy to move around in general.

Frequent small meals sustain your metabolism working at a higher rate than a few large meals do Gesellschaft für Ernährungsheilkunde. However, skipping too many meals will cause your metabolism to slow down as the body adjusts to food scarcity. Part of this adjustment is an increased readiness to store energy in the form of fat.

Being well hydrated is essential for high performance as well as for a high metabolic rate Thornton et al. There really is no limit on how much water you can safely drink Gesellschaft für Ernährungsheilkunde.

The overall effect is only slight, however, and may cause some discomfort. Cochrane, D. Alternating hot and cold water immersion for athlete recovery: a review. Physical therapy in sport, 5 1 , Dolezal, B.

Muscle damage and resting metabolic rate after acute resistance exercise with an eccentric overload. Helgerud, J. Aerobic high-intensity intervals improve VO2max more than moderate training.

Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 39 4 , — Judelson, D. Hydration and muscular performance: does fluid balance affect strength, power and high-intensity endurance?. Sports medicine Auckland, N. LaForgia, J. Effects of exercise intensity and duration on the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption.

Journal of sports sciences, 24 12 , Little, J. A practical model of low-volume high-intensity interval training induces mitochondrial biogenesis in human skeletal muscle: potential mechanisms. The Journal of physiology, Pt 6 , — Scoon, G. Effect of post-exercise sauna bathing on the endurance performance of competitive male runners.

Lack of sleep is linked to a major increase in the chance of obesity. This could explain why many people who are sleep-deprived often feel hungry and may have difficulty losing weight or may gain weight. In a study , researchers also found that a lack of sleep for four nights or longer may slightly decrease how the body metabolizes fat.

Lack of sleep can affect the levels of your appetite-regulating hormones and may slightly affect how your body metabolizes fat, which may lead to weight gain.

Research has shown that caffeine can trigger the body to release neurotransmitters like epinephrine , which helps regulate the way your body processes fat. However, this effect may vary based on several factors. For instance, one study found that caffeine was more effective at increasing fat burning during exercise in individuals with a less active sedentary lifestyle in comparison with trained athletes.

Drinking coffee can significantly increase your metabolism and may help you lose weight if that is your goal. They may explore underlying causes and offer you a tailored plan. Managing any condition that slows down your metabolism, like hypothyroidism , can help make other efforts more productive.

Jumpstarting your metabolism may also require you to change a few habits like a nutrient-dense diet with limited processed foods, regular physical activity , and optimum sleep hygiene that allows your body to rest and recharge.

You may also avoid doing things that slow down your metabolism like restricting too many calories or not doing any strength resistance training.

Every body is different. Signs of a slow metabolism may vary individually but may include fatigue, digestive upset, not losing any weight despite your efforts, and easily gaining weight.

Only a healthcare professional may accurately assess your metabolism and the underlying causes of these symptoms. Restrictive diets may sometimes lead to a slow metabolism, among other health effects.

Although for weight loss and fat burning you do want to consume fewer calories than you burn, your body still needs to get enough fuel and nutrients to perform body functions.

Instead of eating less, you may want to focus on nutritious foods and move more. Foods that boost your metabolism typically include protein such as meat, dairy, or legumes. Read more about the 12 best foods to boost your metabolism. Learn about these and other foods you can eat before bed.

To lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit. This means you need to eat fewer calories than you burn, or better, burn more calories than you eat. You may want to focus on healthy eating habits while you consume enough calories to support your body functions.

Consider reducing processed foods, sugar and alcohol intake, and saturated fats. Resistance training and eating an adequate amount of protein can help preserve lean body mass.

Muscle growth helps you burn more calories at rest. Making small lifestyle changes and incorporating these tips into your routine can help increase your metabolism. Having a higher metabolism can help you lose weight and keep it off, if that is your goal, while also giving you more energy. Try this today: In addition to trying the tips outlined above, you can also add more metabolism-boosting foods to your diet.

Check out this article for a list of some nutritious foods that can support your metabolism. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 8 Ways That May Speed Up Your Metabolism. Medically reviewed by Marie Lorraine Johnson MS, RD, CPT — By Helen West, RD — Updated on January 11, Eat protein Do HIIT Try lifting Stand up Drink tea Eat spicy foods Sleep more Drink coffee FAQ Bottom line There are several easy and effective ways to support your metabolism, many of which involve making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Eat plenty of protein at every meal. Do a high-intensity workout. Lift heavy things. Stand up more. Drink green tea or oolong tea. Eat spicy foods. Drink coffee. Frequently asked questions. The bottom line.