what helps your metabolism?

besides the fact that its genetic and what not, what are things that help speed up your metabolism?

There are SO many things that can help. Besides exercise, certain foods or even certain habits can boost metabolism.

Maybe we can start a list?

Great habit: Rather than eating 3 large meals in a day, spread those calories into 5-6 meals spaced evenly throughout the day. A lot of people like to varie the calories for each of these meals like: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack - with snacks taking up less calories and breakfast, lunch and dinner being higher calorie meals.

Certain drinks such as green tea and regular coffee (black) boost your metabolism for a short time (1-1.5 hours) after you drink them.

When it comes to boosting your metabolism with these types of foods, you might only get maybe an extra 80 calories burned from each, but having several metabolism boosting foods in one day can add up! (Note: Although, put nutrition first. So rather than aiming to get as many metabolism enhancing foods into your diet as possible, make sure you do it while your daily nutrition is still in tact)

moving.

... eating.  As well as eating regularly, eating enough for your needs will keep your metabolism lively.  Conversely, not eating depresses the metabolism

Weight lifting/strength training. The more muscle you have the more calories you burn just living and the faster your metabolism is.

HIIT

Hot peppers

Moving in general. Studies have been done that show people who are more active in general. For example people who stand instead of sit, move their legs or feel while sitting, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park in the spot furthest away from the door when shopping, walk a lot throughout the day and so on have a faster metabolism than inactive people.

Any exercise gives a slight boost.

Eating the right foods and not eating too many calories. When you eat protein rich foods your resting metabolic rate increases more than when you eat fats and carbs. Complex carbs increase your RMR more than simple carbs.

Just eating. When you eat your body works to digest the food. For example if you eat about 2000 calories a day you will burn about 200 just digesting and processing the foods you eat.

Drink plenty of water. If you are dehydrated your body temperature drops. This causes your body to store fat as a way of protecting itself from the "cold" Be sure to drink enough water. I drink 3 bottles first thing in the morning before I leave for work. 1 bottle when I get to work. 1 with lunch, 1 after lunch, 1 more before I go home and one during dinner. I know it seems like a lot but it truly helps keep the weight off.

Original Post by gi-jane:

... eating. 

 x2

I've read that some fruits and vegetables will actually increase your metabolism including: broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, apples, blueberries, watermelon, and grapefruit. Also cinnamon is supposed to help. I don't know if there is any scientific basis behind that, but those are all good things to eat anyway.

Also, make sure you get enough sleep.

How about being 18 years old again?? Ok, if we can't jump into the Way Back Machine, then my suggestions are #1 drink plenty of water, and #2 make sure your exercise routine includes some "intervals" of rigorous effort that really get your heart rate elevated. Those seem to be the "switch" that turns on the metabolism.

I'll second the weight/strength training.  In addition to increased metabolism because of increased muscle, I find myself doing small things, like going up and down stairs, faster simply because I can now, even when carrying a 50 pound child.  It all adds up.

Always have fruit with breakfast, and blazed your day with snacks that has something to do with a type of fruit. That is a huge part, and fill your days with snacks...don't stop eating. When you're hungry, it just means you need to refill. If you're constantly hungry that is a good thing, that is your metabolism working. It already condensed your food in your system. And you stay as active as possible.

More movement = more calories burned.  So sometimes you can burn many more calories/day by doing simple things like fidgeting.  I read recently that some fidgeters (toe tappers, etc) burn a significant number of calories/day more than non-fidgeters.

This doesn't increase metabolism but does burn more calories daily.

"And you stay as active as possible." I already stated this [active=fidget not to much difference here]. Thank you for responding anyway. I respect your reply. 

I have been chopping vegetables into strips and taking them with me with some almond butter and/or hummus to dip them in and snack on them whenever I start to get hungry throughout the day...it's working for me so far and I never feel hungry anymore. It's only been two weeks and people have mentioned that I look like I lost weight...but I feel like I am eating all the time!!!

I love hummus!!! Oh yeah...you don't have to be full to be healthy. Try wheat noddles, whole grain breads [Daves breads is the best], and brown rice into your dinners. And even though it sounds weird natural egg whites in the canister in the dairy isle next to the coffee creamer is very healthy. All natural organic milk is also good...me, I stay away from dairy so I supplement. Grain is good, and the organic isle can be a good-friend for wanting to be full, and satisfied at the same time.

noddles?? [noodles]

muscle.

we just learned in medical school today that 1 pound of lean muscle raises your RMR by 50 calories. Thats alot.

When I turned 17 years old, my metabolism was off the roof. Every meal I would eat would be a binge because I would DIGEST so fast, and always want to end the meal "stuffed."

Its no wonder i gained so much weight.... *sorry just a little relevation on my point

*sorry double post