Ever feel like your metabolism is stuck and never going to work for you again? I have good news…you can change that. Your metabolism is like a bonfire – it is the rate at which you burn energy. It can be a little fire or a big fire, but there are some principles that come with keeping all fires burning…and your metabolism on the move!

Four metabolism-madness secrets:

Bring on breakfast.

The building blocks of your metabolism are fuel, and the first fuel you get in the day is breakfast. Skipping breakfast will make your body go on strike and store fat. A good breakfast includes protein and fiber. Protein will give you energy, and fiber will keep you full and make that energy last all morning.

Build muscle.

If you want to increase your metabolism, you need to do some muscle-building exercise. Putting a little muscle on your body will send your energy through the roof. Here’s the reason: muscle is always burning energy, always breathing, always needing nutrients, always consuming calories, even at rest. The most efficient way to build muscle is to do resistance training. The benefits of building muscle are endless: better posture, reduced risk of falls and injury, bone loss prevention, and more calories burned. You also change your shape in the process!

Water!

Water keeps everything in your body running properly. Even with slight dehydration you may feel sluggish or unable to think properly. Water has many functions inside your body. It is essential for digesting food, absorbing and utilizing nutrients, regulating blood pressure and body temperature, preventing constipation, lubricating joints, moistening tissues such as those in the nose, eyes, and mouth, and lessening the burden on the liver and kidneys by flushing out toxins and wastes. Hydrating yourself is an instant way to get a boost. Your body itself is 65% water, so guzzle this metabolism-moving drink...at least 64 ounces a day!

Choose the Right Kind of Fuel and Fuel Often!

Most of us know that heavily processed food (junk food) is not good for us, but here is one main reason: junk food is not the preferred source of fuel your body desires to run on. It would be like giving your car the wrong kind of fuel, and then expecting it to perform for you. Your body will still be craving true fuel filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants! If you keep giving your body junk food, pretty soon it will not operate for you at all. If you fill up on processed foods, then you will feel sluggish for the rest of the day. Instead, fill up on whole grains, fruits, and veggies. Keep that fire burning and your metabolism on a mission to make you healthy!

Remember, when it comes to metabolism, if you don’t fuel it, you’ll lose it!