If you’re tired all of the time and you’re having difficulty losing weight, you may be experiencing a slow metabolism. As you grow older, your metabolism slows down. You may find that you lack the energy to do a lot of the things you once enjoyed and you are beginning to gain weight. If you’re experiencing a slow down in your metabolism, there are a few things you can do to get you moving once again.



Exercise

If you want to speed your metabolism back up again, then exercise is a must. If you’re just starting out with exercise, try walking and then increase your exercise to jogging and running. For a variety trying swimming or aerobics. Almost any form of exercise will help speed up your metabolism. Don’t forget to work on those muscles as well. Lifting weights is a great calorie burner. The more muscles you have, the more calories you actually burn. Be sure to do at least 3 cardio workouts and 3 strength training session each week for maximum benefits.



Eat

There’s nothing worse than skipping meals when you’re trying to speed up more metabolism. If you’re missing breakfast you’re actually slowing your metabolism down and letting your body know it needs to rest and save energy. This is also true when you starve yourself from food. You need at least 1000 calories a day in order to keep your metabolism going. Try eating several small meals a day instead of three big meals. You should also pay attention to the types of food you eat. Try eating a well balanced diet of carbohydrates and proteins to keep your metabolism in tip top shape.



Drink Water

Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated with water. While you may be tempted to count juice, tea and soda as a way to keep yourself hydrated, don’t. Anything other than water can actually dehydrate you and slow you down. Water is a necessity that allows your body to burn calories and refuel your metabolism. Aim for at least 8 8-ounce glasses of water each day.



Vitamins

Vitamins can play an important part in speeding up your metabolism. Vitamin B can help increase your energy, especially vitamin B-12. If you’re leery about taking a vitamin, try eating foods such as beef, poultry, eggs and fish, which are all rich in vitamin B-12.



Herbs

Very few people realize that herbs can actually help increase your metabolism. Chinese herbs are especially helpful when used for fatigue. Ginger is a popular Chinese herb that can give you more energy. If you do decide to use ginger or any other Chinese herb that is recommended for fatigue, be sure to ask your doctor first. Some herbs may not be safe to take if you have a special condition such as high blood pressure.