In the last year or so, have you—like many others—gotten into some less-than-healthy habits? Have you noticed that your energy isn’t the same as it used to be, the number on your scale has gone up, and your clothes don’t fit the way you want them to? If so, chances are those habits have been taking a toll on your metabolism
Metabolism is a big part of what keeps us alive and it’s constantly working, whether we’re awake or asleep. Your metabolic rate depends on certain factors such as how much muscle mass you have, how physically active you are, and your age.
With all that in mind, another important consideration is what you feed yourself, and hence, your metabolism. Chances are those unhealthy habits are contributing to feeling sluggish and not-so-great in your favorite outfit. So let me ask you:
Thinking about the last few days (be honest!)
- How much sugar did you consume? And, I don’t just mean cookies, candy bars, and cake, but also fruit juice, fancy lattes, soda, and high glycemic grains (i.e. white bread and pasta).
- How much alcohol have you been drinking each day?
- How about French fries, onion rings, or fried chicken?
The foods we tend to gravitate towards during stressful times are the same ones that slow our metabolism. And even though they’re unhealthy for us, the pleasure centers in our brains get hooked and make it hard to break up with them. But… there’s an easy workaround to outsmarting this part of your brain.
The foods we tend to gravitate towards during stressful times are the same ones that slow our metabolism. And even though they’re unhealthy for us, the pleasure centers in our brains get hooked and make it hard to break up with them. Click To Tweet5 Super Simple Ways to Reboot Your Metabolism
When you make these 5 simple, but healthy, changes to your lifestyle, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll start feeling more energetic and shed that extra weight. In addition, your brain will want you to stick with them because they make you feel better!
- Choose your food wisely: Switch out those unhealthy foods for ones that are nutritious and tasty—think lots of fresh and colorful produce, healthy fats, and foods high in omega-3s, like salmon and walnuts.
- Spice it up! Add some extra flavor to your meals and snacks. The hot, spicy taste of ginger, cayenne, and black pepper comes from gingerols, capsaicin, and piperine, which are compounds that boost metabolism (and have an aphrodisiac effect ).
- Don’t skip the protein. This vital component of diet provides your body with necessary amino acids, improves sensitivity to the hormone leptin—which tells your brain when you’re full—and helps to balance your blood sugar. It’s also the building block of muscle. So, be sure to eat some high-quality protein at each meal, including breakfast. My morning go-to protein choice is a Brain-Smart Start Smoothie. Click the link if you’d like the free recipe.
- Resume an exercise program. I know it can be challenging to push through and be consistent when you’re first starting to exercise again, but don’t give into the voice that beckons you back to the couch. By keeping at it, soon enough you’ll be making exercise a priority because of the way it boosts your mood and focus and improves your sleep.
- Increase your overall activity: In addition to working out, make it a point to move more throughout the day. If you’re at a desk, get up and walk around regularly, take the stairs instead of the elevator, march in place when you’re on the phone, etc. The little things can add up!
I understand that when you’re not feeling great about your energy or having gained weight, it can be easy to beat yourself up over it. But you don’t have to! You really can change with simple fixes like these that will help you get back on track, so you can feel your best again.
I know you can do it!
If you need help fighting off urges to eat foods that sabotage metabolism, try BrainMD’s Craving Control to help calm the craving centers in the brain. Want 21% off? Just enter the promo code TANA21 at checkout.
If you’re struggling and need professional help to overcome bad habits, Amen Clinics is here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
