Burn Fat All Year Long

SPEED UP YOUR METABOLISM

You don't need to eat like a child to recapture the metabolism of your youth. "You can rev up your metabolic engine without changing how much you eat," says Mark Hyman, M.D., author of Ultra-metabolism. Combined with an interval workout (see "Cut Your Body Fat to 10 Percent"), these four simple tips will have your body burning calories all day long--and all night.



Up Your Protein Intake

A British study found that participants who increased the percentage of protein-based calories in their diets burned 71 more calories a day (that's 7.4 pounds a year) than those on low-protein diets. "Protein burns hotter than other food sources," says Dr. Hyman. Jumpstart your metabolism early with two scrambled eggs or a few slices of lean turkey bacon for breakfast, then keep it up throughout the day with at least one protein-packed snack, such as almonds or cheese, and lunch and dinner built around legumes, lean meats, tuna, or salmon.



Eat More Often

Skipping meals lets your body's calorie-burning furnace go cold, says Dr. Hyman. Spread out mini -meals throughout the day. Try a cup of yogurt with fresh fruit or almonds at 10:30 a.m., and a hard-boiled egg or hummus with vegetables around 3 p.m.