Do you need to boost your metabolism? Are you concerned about the possible side affects of the next miracle weight loss pill? These seven tips to boost your metabolism naturally will help you reach your weight loss goal and help you develop new habits for a healthier lifestyle.

Metabolism is the process in which the human body burns energy through digestion, blood circulation, the regulation of body temperature, and detoxification, just to name a few. Calories are the units of heat contained in food that are released from the body through the process of metabolism. Food is then converted into the energy the body needs to perform all its functions.

A slow metabolism can be due to a number of factors. A sedentary lifestyle where the body does not get enough activity to allow the burning of calories will cause the body to conserve its energy. Poor nutrition such as foods high in sugar and fats will trigger an insulin response where the body goes into fat storing mode. Eating large meals once or twice a day will slow metabolism because the body gets accustomed to not getting frequent refueling and has to store food in the form of fat until its next refueling.

These 7 tips will get you started towards a healthier you:

1. Get plenty of sleep – your body needs adequate amounts of sleep to rejuvenate and repair at the cellular level. Mentally, a deep delta rhythm sleep will make you feel well rested and alert.

2. Always eat breakfast – after you have been asleep, your body’s functions have slowed down considerably. You need to jump start your metabolism by giving your body something to work on.

3. Drink plenty of water – water that is chilled will increase metabolism because it will burn more calories in order for the body to regulate its temperature.

4. Eat smaller meals and eat more often – by eating smaller meals, the body has less to work on and can burn those calories more efficiently. By eating more often, you will not cause the body to go into fat storing mode because it is getting regular refueling.

5. Good nutrition – Eat foods higher in fiber such as fruits and vegetables. They have fewer calories and take longer for the body to digest, thus burning more calories. Limit the amount of sugar therefore decreasing an insulin response.

6. Exercise – exercise gets the body moving, the blood flowing, and tones the muscles. Increasing lean muscle will increase metabolism because it takes more energy to grow and repair muscle tissue.

7. Reduce stress – stress releases the neuro-chemical cortisal. Cortisal stimulates the body’s metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. This increases appetite and the pattern of binge eating causing weight gain.

By following these seven tips to naturally boost your metabolism, you will not only reach your weight loss goal, but you will also have gained healthy habits to improve your overall health. You will have improved your immunity response, regulated your blood pressure, reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as increased your HDL (good cholesterol) levels.