Dr Oz: 7 Day Miracle Plan to Boost Your Metabolism 

In this segment, Dr Oz profiled several women representing the most common problems that people face when trying to boost their metabolism.  Dr Oz’s guests included Lisa (Levittown, NY), Jill (Phillipsburg,NJ), Ellen (Ocean, NJ), Stephanie (New York, NY), Robin (Cazenova, NY), and Patricia (Ocean, NJ).  We learned that the number one reason that we all pack on the extra pounds has to do with our metabolism.   The women above were tired and frustrated and needed Dr Oz’s help in getting on track with their metabolism boost.  Doctor Oz made a promise to them that the metabolism tips and tricks would be absolutely life-changing and can be done in only seven days:

Day One: Check Your Metabolic Rate

Dr Oz stressed that this was the most important thing to understand in order to boost your metabolism.  In assisting his audience member with checking their metabolic rate, he used a calculation based on her age, height, weight, and activity level (how many times a week she exercised).  The calculator crunched the data to assess how many calories she can consume before she starts to gain weight.  Doctor Oz points out that once you know that number, you can learn how to adjust it so that you lose the weight that you want.

Day Two: Cut 100 Calories a Day

Dr Oz stated that most people attempt to diet aggressively by making drastic changes in their caloric intake.  However, Dr Oz pointed out that our bodies actually panic following a big reduction in caloric intake, causing our metabolism to slow down instead of speeding up.  Instead of taking the starvation diet route by taking in fewer calories, Dr Oz suggested that you cut 100 calories per day from your diet.  Dr Oz added that we can still enjoy our bowls of ice cream as our post-dinner treat.  However, instead of the large half of a cup serving, he said to cut back 3 tablespoons, and that would qualify as your reduction for the day.  Not to mention, the calcium in the ice cream stimulates fat cells which in turn breaks down fat.

Day Three: Add Protein

Dr Oz said to keep thinking protein if you want a faster metabolism.  Protein remained so vital to Dr Oz’s metabolism booster equation because our bodies break down twice as many calories while digesting proteins then while digesting carbohydrates.  Dr Oz wasn’t just talking about any protein, but he seemed pretty excited about fish as a protein due to the Omega 3 fats (Omega 3 fatty acids) found in fish, such as salmon.  Omega 3 fats increase some of the fat burning enzymes.  Dr Oz suggested including fish in your diet at least twice a week.

Day Four: Eat Every Three Hours

This may have been a bit surprising to his audience and to Dr Oz fans, but Dr Oz said that if you were to eat every three hours, your metabolism would actually be faster.  So many times when people attempt to diet their instinct is to eat fewer meals, but Dr Oz said that in order to boost your metabolism you would need to eat every three hours.   Dr Oz said that your eating schedule should look as follows:

6am -8am: Breakfast

10am-11am:  Snack

12pm-2pm- Lunch

3pm-5pm:  Snack

5pm- 7pm:  Dinner

Dr Oz said that you should not eat past 7 pm.  Further, Dr Oz said that skipping your snacks would only hurt your diet, not assist with your weight loss goals.  The idea of the program is to never be hungry.  Dr Oz’s Metabolism Booster Snack contained a handful of pistachios and dried apricots.  The snack contained protein and monounsaturated fatty acids to help burn fat.  Dr Oz pointed out that research showed that people who ate snacks of 250 calories actually ate less at their regular meals.

Day Five: Drink Three Iced Drinks a Day

Dr Oz said that indulging in iced drinks forces your body to warm up.  When the body has to work to warm up, the body is burning off energy.  By adding a couple of ice cubes to your drinks, you can lose up to one pound per year.  Not to mention, if you drink iced tea or iced coffee, you would still get the benefit of the caffeine.

Day Six: Take Zinc

Dr Oz said that while he has talked a lot about Zinc on his show before, there is a whole new reason he was suggesting to take Zinc today.  Zinc contains a hormone called leptin, which is a key hormone that sends signals to your body to let your body know when you are full, so that you will not continue to keep on eating.  Dr Oz said it is easy enough to take the Zinc, and that you would only need to take 12 MG per day, and it could be taken in the form of a multi-vitamin.

Day Seven: Exercise in Short Bursts

Dr Oz said that the burst element is vitally important because it wakes up your muscles.  Doctor Oz said that when you exercise in short bursts, it causes your muscles to wake up, which in turn burns morn calories and at a faster rate.  He stressed the idea of getting out to dance more, because when you dance you require the body to burn more calories than when you are just walking.