In our impatient society we live in, we want our coffee ready in minutes, our photos developed in less than an hour and grocery shopping to be as easy as the click of a button. So naturally, we all want a quick and simple fix for our metabolism too. The reality is that our metabolisms have been beaten to a pulp over the years from meal skipping, over-eating and poor food choices. Fear not. Your metabolism is not doomed; however, it will take some time and a little (okay a lot) of TLC to get it back to a beautiful fire it once was (or at least should be).
Before I continue, I want to remind you of a few small things.
- You will make MISTAKES.
- You will get OFF TRACK.
- You will MISS THE MARK several times.
And, all that is perfectly OKAY. You are human. You will make mistakes but make sure you take the opportunity to learn from them. Take your focus off avoiding failure (perfection) and turn it towards chasing improvement.
Let us focus on one simple task. By accomplishing this behavior, over time, you will regenerate your metabolism, have more energy and feel better each and every day you achieve it.
Start every day by striking a match. No, not physically rather metaphorically speaking for your metabolism. To do this, you must eat breakfast every day and increase the protein content in it. The average American consumes most of their protein in the latter half of the day. Protein is pivotal to improving satiety, increasing energy levels and controlling hormones. These benefits can be further maximized if protein ingestion begins with the first feeding of the day.
Strive to get at least 15-20 grams of protein with breakfast. This can be easily accomplished by choosing high-protein foods such as eggs, cottage cheese, lean breakfast meats, cheese, Greek yogurt and beans. Protein supplements such as bars, shakes and powders can help create a high-protein smoothie, power-packed oatmeal or can serve as a quick grab-and-go menu item.
It’s okay if you eat the same breakfast every day. It helps build routine and conditions the mind and body to crave real food upon waking. The more consistent you are, the easier it is to incorporate a variety of protein sources and stick to your routine when you are traveling, stressed or just generally off-schedule.
Remember, consistency always trumps rigidity. Let this be the year you kick start yourself towards health!
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