Ways to boost your metabolism so you can get the figure you want 

When it comes to getting healthy, keeping your metabolism revved up means you're going to burn more fat and calories. But to get your metabolism where you want it to be, you have to take care of the rest of your body, too. You need to make sure you're eating enough, staying hydrated, packing protein into your meals and building up muscle that will burn fat and calories.
Often, though, the problem is that your metabolism naturally slows as you get older. But there are tips and tricks you can incorporate into your diet and lifestyle to get your metabolism running quicker. In the list below, you'll find the best tips to help you get your metabolism amped up so you can achieve the healthy lifestyle you desire.
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1. Make it an omega-3-rich meal
Omega-3 fatty acids are amazing for heart health, but they are also an incredible tool for amping up your metabolism. Health explains that omega-3s balance out blood sugar and reduce inflammation. Some studies have even shown that omega-3s might reduce your body's resistance to the hormone leptin, which some researchers say is linked to how fast fat is burned.
2. Eat the right amount 
If you're looking to shed some weight, you know you have to cut calories. But cutting too many calories might have the opposite effect on your weight-loss goals. Our bodies need a certain amount of calories (or energy) to function properly. Prevention explains that when you don't get enough, your body starts breaking down precious, calorie-burning muscle tissue. Women, for example, need about 1,200 calories a day for basic functioning, so keep that in mind.
3. Don't forget breakfast
Arguably the most important meal of the day, Prevention says that breakfast jump-starts your metabolism and keeps your energy up all day long.
4. Get some muscle 
Muscle burns calories; that's why it's so important to give your body enough energy so it doesn't resort to breaking down its precious muscle tissue. WebMD explains that every pound of muscle uses about six calories a day just to keep going, whereas fat burns only two. Plus, building muscle through strength training keeps muscles activated all day, which raises your overall metabolic rate.
5. Drink enough water 
To keep your metabolism up, you need to be hydrated. WebMD says one study showed that adults who drank eight or more glasses of water a day burned more calories than those who drank only four glasses, so drink up.
6. Go green with green tea 
Green tea has long been hailed for its antioxidant-rich properties, but a new study highlighted by Health shows that catechin — an active ingredient inside the tea — might crank up the metabolism by improving fat oxidation and your body's production of energy in digestion. The study shows you would need to drink about five eight-ounce (240 ml) cups of green tea a day to get the same results, but drinking it chilled or iced might help get those extra few glasses in.
7. Don't skip the protein 
To keep those fat-burning muscles going strong, you need protein. One study highlighted by Prevention says protein can help burn 35 percent more calories after meals. So get your protein intake by including a serving each meal of lean meat, nuts or even yogurt.
8. Be smart about snacking 
Your metabolism slows between meals, so snacking is a great way to keep your metabolism revved up. WebMD suggests snacking — or squeezing in a small, healthy meal every three to four hours — to keep your metabolism cranking and burning calories.
9. Check your vitamin D supply 
Vitamin D is essential for preserving fat- and calorie-burning muscle tissue. But Prevention points out that 96 percent of Americans over the age of 50 aren't getting enough vitamin D through their diet. You can help your metabolism by making sure you eat vitamin-D-rich foods like salmon, tuna, fortified milk, tofu, cereal and eggs.
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10. Opt for organic 
Organic is good for your metabolism, too. Health points out that fruit, veggies and grains grown without pesticides keep burning fat at full-throttle because you're not exposing your thyroid to toxins that could slow down the process.
Resources WebMD, Prevention, and Health
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