Your metabolism is running day and night. But to truly get your metabolism running at full tilt, your body needs to get warm. Meaning, anytime you move your body (use muscle), eat or consume foods that are warming (spicy), your metabolism will get revved up.

Here are 4 keys to burning more fat:

• Eat more. When you eat, it creates a heat in your body called the thermic effect. That is technical for “if you eat smaller meals more often, your body will burn more calories during the day”. Weight loss research shows that people who eat five meals a day are more successful than those eating three meals a day. Research also shows that an inconsistent meal pattern (meaning you eat three meals one day and six the next) will significantly lower this effect and reduce your metabolism’s effectiveness.
• Move more. If you move your body, you raise your body temperature and you burn more fat and calories, period. Sometimes all it takes is walking up a flight of stairs a couple of times a day. No amount of exercise is too small, it all adds up.
• Laugh more. Laughing will help to warm your body. The warmer your body, the higher your metabolism. It’s a good argument for turning off the news and renting a funny movie instead.
• Practice portion control! I know!  It is easier said than done. But here is a simple guide, that is all in the palm of your hands.

Fruit serving             = the size of your fist
Cereal/grains            = your cupped hand
Veggies                       = 1 ½ cupped hands
Protein                        = open palm

This is a quick way to eyeball your serving sizes to be more reasonable while trying to lose weight. When you overeat, especially at dinner, weight loss will be challenging.