What if you could burn hundreds of extra calories per day while sitting in a chair or even while sleeping? Imagine how much easier it would be to burn fat and stay lean.
You’d spend less time working out at the gym and enjoy larger, more satisfying meals daily. This isn’t a distant fantasy; it’s entirely possible by boosting your metabolism, specifically your resting metabolic rate.
In this article, we’ll explore seven scientifically-backed ways to increase your metabolism and burn extra calories while you sleep.
Discover these 7 methods to enhance your metabolism and increase fat burning even while sleeping. By boosting up your resting metabolic rate, you’ll supercharge weight loss and experience fat loss 24/7. Get ready to unlock the secrets of incinerating calories without pushing your workouts to the limit.
1. Optimize Your Thyroid Function
Your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck, plays a significant role in your metabolic rate. Research has shown that thyroid hormones have a major impact on your metabolism. To optimize your thyroid function, it’s crucial to ensure you’re getting enough iodine, as your thyroid gland uses it to produce thyroid hormones. Many people don’t get sufficient iodine, as 35% of the world’s population is deficient, according to the World Health Organization. To address this deficiency, switch to iodized salt, ensuring you meet your daily iodine requirements.
Additionally, zinc and selenium are essential minerals for thyroid function. Zinc supplementation can boost resting metabolism significantly, making it a valuable addition to your diet, especially if you’re active and sweat frequently.
Important Minerals and Vitamins all CrossFit Athletes Need to be Eating
2. Switch to Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)
Swap out regular cooking oils for MCTs high in lauric acid, like coconut oil. Research indicates that MCTs can improve metabolism more effectively than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) found in butter. Studies have shown that this shift can result in a 5% boost in resting metabolic rate, lasting up to six hours. MCTs have also been associated with weight loss and improved cholesterol levels.
3. Eat Enough Protein
Protein has a high thermic effect of food, meaning it requires more energy for your body to digest, process, and store compared to other nutrients. Approximately 15-30% of the calories from protein are used during digestion, which can result in burning an extra 100-250 calories daily for most individuals. Additionally, consuming sufficient protein helps you build and maintain muscle, which is crucial for metabolic health.
4. Maintain More Muscle
Each pound of muscle burns about 68 calories per day, contributing to improved insulin sensitivity and effective use of glucose. Building and preserving muscle is essential to prevent metabolic slowdown during weight loss or calorie restriction. Studies have shown that bodybuilders have a 14% higher metabolism due to their extra muscle mass.
5. Stay Hydrated with Water
Drinking water can temporarily increase your metabolic rate. Research shows that consuming 500 milliliters of water can boost metabolism by 30% for about 30-40 minutes, resulting in an extra 24 calories burned. Drinking cold water may further increase your resting metabolic rate by up to 25% for an hour.
6. Eat Chili Peppers and Spicy Food
Capsaicin, found in chili peppers, activates brown adipose tissue (brown fat), which can use regular body fat as fuel to generate heat. Capsaicin also promotes fat oxidation and supports metabolism during calorie restriction. Consuming spicy foods can help you feel fuller, reducing the urge to eat late at night and supporting weight loss.
7. Cold Exposure, Ice Baths, and Cold Showers
While cold exposure can activate brown fat and lead to increased calorie burning, its effects may vary among individuals. Cold showers and ice baths have been linked to higher energy expenditure, with some reporting increases of up to 400 calories per day. However, the average increase is around 75 calories. Nonetheless, incorporating cold exposure into your routine can contribute to higher metabolic rates.
What Happens to your Body, Mind and Health After 30 Days of Cold Showers?
By implementing these seven scientifically-backed methods, you can effectively increase your metabolism and burn extra calories while you sleep or go about your daily activities.
Remember that these strategies work best when combined and tailored to your individual preferences and needs. Whether you optimize your thyroid function, switch to MCTs, maintain muscle, stay hydrated, enjoy spicy foods, or experiment with cold exposure, you’ll be on your way to achieving your weight loss and fat-burning goals. Boosting your metabolism isn’t a distant fantasy; it’s a reality that can lead to a healthier and more enjoyable life.
Learn More
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Image Sources
- Best Upper Chest Dumbbell Exercises You Can Do With No Bench: DreamLens Production on Pexels
- training guides: Courtesy of CrossFit Inc.