Exercises That Will Increase Your Metabolism

Question: What can I do to increase my metabolism? 
 

(from reader Dean John Acut Martin) 

Answer: Fire up your internal engine by tweaking your diet and exercise routine. BJ Gaddour, C.S.C.S., CEO of Men’s Health StreamFit, recommends eating at least 20 to 30 grams of protein at each meal—that’s equal to a cup of Greek yogurt, a fist of meat, or four eggs.  “During digestion, your body burns about 20 to 35 percent of the calories protein contains, which is more than you burn when eating fat and carbohydrates combined,” he says.

Protein also helps you build and maintain muscle mass, and the more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism. For your workouts, plan to hit your hips and shoulders every time you train. “These areas house the most metabolically-active muscle groups in your body, so the more you stimulate them, the more you stoke your metabolic rate,” Gaddour adds. To tackle these muscle groups, he recommends adding “The Bodyweight 8” exercises to your weekly routine: hip-hinges, hip-thrusts, deep squats, single-leg squats, push-ups, rows, handstand push-ups, and pull-ups.

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