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Like many bodily processes, your metabolism slows with age. Responsible for converting food calories into energy, the speed of your metabolism determines the rate at which you burn calories and fat. The faster your metabolism, the quicker you burn calories.

While you can't turn back the clock or acquire a different set of genes, (heredity and gender also play a role in metabolic rate) there are natural ways to speed up your metabolism. Here are seven things you can do today to start burning calories more quickly:

7 Ways to Boost Your Metabolism Naturally


1. Exercise - Just one of the many great benefits of exercise is that it kick starts your metabolism during exercise and for hours after. Running, walking, cycling, hiking, dancing, kickboxing, and even gardening, shoveling snow or cleaning all increase your metabolic rate.

2. Lift Weights - Strength training is essential to a fast metabolism because muscle burns more energy. The more lean muscle mass you maintain, the more calories you'll burn throughout the day.

3. Eat Smaller Portions - Practicing portion control is important so that you don't overload your body with calories all at once. By eating smaller portions, your body will be able to digest and manage the calories quicker.

4. Eat More Often - Doctors suggest eating five smaller meals throughout the day instead of three large ones to boost metabolism. Spreading your total daily calories out allows your metabolism to stay in high gear all day.

5. Eat Breakfast - "Breaking the fast" is essential so that your body doesn't go into calorie-hoarding or starvation mode. Skipping breakfast slows your metabolism.

6. Drink Water - Drinking enough water is essential to a quick metabolism as the body needs water to function properly. Get at least 8 glasses a day - more if you live in a dry climate.

7. Laugh More - This one seems silly, but it's true. Laughing burns more calories than doing nothing at all and it raises your metabolic rate by 10 - 40 calories.