How to Make Metabolism Increase and Burn Fat

Eat breakfast every morning. This will increase your metabolism and keep your energy levels up throughout the day, according to Columbia Health. Aim for 350 to 500 calories of a healthy breakfast, which should include a complex carb such as brown bread, protein such as low-fat milk and a fruit or vegetable such as orange juice or tomato juice.

Make some of your meals spicy. Add a small hot chili pepper to your meal with the seeds removed or add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper seasoning. Chili peppers contain the heat-inducing chemical capsaicin, which can temporarily increase your metabolism by 8 percent, according to “The New York Times.” Alternatively, use black peppers or ginger, which have a similar effect.

Eat several smaller meals, rather than three large meals. Have between four to six small meals a day, eating every 2 to 3 hours. Add lean protein like fish, turkey and chicken to your meals with a portion of fruit or vegetables. Smaller portions on a regular basis keep your metabolism active. Eat small meals with lean protein and fiber because they help sustain satiety, which prevents overeating.

Drink water and green tea throughout the day. Have between 9 and 13 cups of fluids per day. According to the “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism,” drinking 500 milliliters of water increases your metabolism by up to 24 percent for an hour. Green tea naturally contains caffeine, a stimulant that temporarily speeds up your metabolic rate after ingestion. Also found in green tea is the compound epigallocatechin gallate, or ECGC, which promotes weight loss by boosting your metabolic rate and improving heart health.

Exercise at least three times a week. Combine cardiovascular and strengthening exercise sessions. A 10-minute walk or jog will increase fat burning during and after the exercise. Strength training -- such as weightlifting -- increases muscle mass. Muscles require more energy to maintain than fat, thus improving your resting metabolic rate.