Speeding Up Metabolism??

[peace-love-couture]

Hello.

How does one go about speeding up their metabolism? Foods, lifestyle choices, exercise habits etc?

I'd like a faster metabolism. For instance, my friend is 5'7 and about 98lbs-100lbs. She's naturally thin though. I aspire to be that weight, but not like her or anything. I mean, I'm only 5'2 first of all. Obviously she has a fast metabolism, but she doesn't workout or eat healthy at all haha

I decided to take this week off from exercising, but when I start up again next week, it'll go something like this:

Mondays= C5k program

Tuesdays= 15 minutes jump roping, 20 minutes of HIIT(running/walking)

Wednesdays= C5k program

Thursdays= 15 minutes jump roping, 20 minutes HIIT (running/walking)

Friday= C5k program

Saturday= Video or whatever

I'm Hispanic and I love spicy foods also.

Advice?

Updates

+1 y

I'm sure you will criticize my goal weight & my friend because neither of us are fat & our intentions aren't to be fat. I'm sure I'll be criticized because I'm mocking the pro fat attitudes on here. I'm sure I'll receive 1 star because this is my thousandth exercise/diet question on here, but I see you all have no problems with the "boohoo, my boobs are non existent" questions. I'm sure I'l be criticized for what I just said. Or simply because I'm me. You'll just be wasting your time :)

[zz123]

HIIT and muscle will affect your metabolism, though I'm not sure how much faster you can make it. You could ramp up your HIIT training with more intensity and less time, there is a HIIT routine that worked really well in studies but it's hard as hell. 4mins with 20 sec work full on and 10sec full rest but done properly it feels pretty deathly and you can over train easily. Other easier workout could be a HIIT routine of 6 weeks, 3x a week, 6min running/rest 30/30 and after every week you add 1 minute. After 6 weeks a few week rest and then again. Don't over train yourself with HIIT, done properly it's probably the fastest way to over train. It's very hard to say when someone has a fast metabolism because there is no way of knowing their eating habits. It may turn out your friend just doesn't eat that much. One of my friends told me he has a fast metabolism but I call bullsh*t on that, he just eats once a day.

[funkadelic5]

Good cardio increases metabolism but only temporarily - for about a day.

The only thing that will really have a noticeable effect on your metabolism, permanently, is gaining muscle. Go to the gym and lift heavy weights or buy free weights and do it at home.

[Allijackson]

You need cardio AND weights. Weightlifting can increase your metabolism for hours afterward. And, muscles are like furnaces. Having more muscle naturally increases your metabolism (even if it's not big, bulky muscles.)

As far as diet goes, eat 5-6 small meals per day. When you eat 3 bigger meals, your body can't metabolize all that food at once and stores some of it as fat. Also, if you starve yourself between the three big meals, your body will go into starvation mode and try to store more fat the next time you eat. By eating all day, your body is constantly being reassured that it will be getting more food. (but of course, be careful not to eat an excess of calories.)

And finally, drink hot, unsweetened green tea. I do and it's a natural metabolism booster.

[peace-love-couture]

What size weight should I start with? I've been meaning to buy dumb bells because I'm so weak up top but I haven't gone yet?

Also, would it be OK to put organic honey in my green tea?

[Allijackson]

Start with whatever weight you can only do 8-10 reps with, and then you can move up. I would suggest doing legs though because it's a larger muscle (either works, just a suggestion). And don't worry about getting too large of muscles! It is genetically impossible for girls to look "jacked" like a bodybuilder without steroids.

I'd say organic honey would be the best choice. If you don't like plain green tea, you can also find flavored green teas.

[Allijackson]

Oh and I saw that you liked spicy foods. Keep going with the spicy! I read that spicy foods do boost your metabolism.

[LoveBambi]

I read somewhere drinking water helps speed up your metabolism.

[peace-love-couture]

I do drink water...

[calichick]

foods to increase metabolism:

1.Cocoa

2.Water

3.Blueberries

4.Flax

5.Sweet potato

6.Avocado

7.Tomato

8.Yogurt

9.Cinnamon

10.Garlic

11.Beans

12.Almonds

13.Apples

14.Egg whites/Beaters

15.Soybean

16.Lemon

17.Ginger

18.Brussel sprouts

19.Spinach

20.Olive oil

21.Oats

22.Fish

23.Cottage cheese

24.Chick peas

25.Lima beans

[greenbeans23]

Idk what speeds up metabolisms BUT just wanted to say that just because she's skinny as hell doesn't mean she's healthy -which I'm sure you realize since you say she doesn't work out or eat right-. I know some people like that who have perfect bodies BUT when I think about their insides and how they are probably lacking in so many vitamins and at risk for diabetes or heart disease one day, I don't aspire to be like them anymore! If you eat right and exercise you should be fine

[peace-love-couture]

Um, this doesn't answer my question. I really don't care for opinions on her or my weight goal

[greenbeans23]

Haha okay well you mentioned her in your question so I was just saying that even though she has a super fast metabolism doesn't mean she's healthy

[Olya363]

do you drink green tea?

[peace-love-couture]

I LOVE green tea and have recently begun drinking on a daily basis

[Ezmotts]

Bulking up and putting on muscle will naturally increase your metabolism and will keep fat off you.

[peace-love-couture]

I don't want to bulk up...that's nasty