Most people think of metabolism as your body's ability to burn calories. While this is partly true, it ignores the fact that metabolism is actually controlled mainly by digestion. In fact, the definition of metabolism boils down to how well your body uses nutrients and how well it can eliminate wastes.

Different dictionaries will use different words, but they mean the same. The bottom line is that metabolism is part of digestion, since absorbing nutrients and elimination both depends on how well you break down the food in the first place. Knowing this, here are some methods you can use to help your digestion and speed up your metabolism for quicker and more permanent weight loss.

Tip 1 - Stop drinking coffee for a while. Most people drink coffee every day which can actually cause your liver and thyroid to become sluggish and not do their jobs, such as helping your body shed fat. After your first two weeks, try keeping your coffee habit to no more than three times per week.

Tip 2 - Drink green tea in place of coffee. It is a well known fact that green tea has about half the caffeine of coffee, so if caffeine is your thing the tea is a good replacement. This isn't the only reason to switch, though. There are numerous health benefits of green tea including controlling high blood pressure, lowering blood sugar, helping your body fight cancer. In addition,it helps you shed fat from your belly and midsection area.

Tip 3 - Avoid junk foods, including most fast foods and processed foods. These may include foods that are pre-made to microwave or eat right out of the bag or box. Most of these types of foods have saturated fats and chemicals such as artificial sweeteners and preservatives. These are known to affect your mood, clog your body and slow your metabolism.

Also, foods that contain these harmful substances tend to be low in fiber and water which will slow digestion. Add all of the above and you get slow digestion, which means sluggish metabolism. If you want to lose weight faster, eat mainly unprocessed foods.

Tip 4 - Eat more raw fruits and vegetables. These foods are naturally high in enzymes, which stimulates your digestion thereby raising your metabolism and aiding in weight loss. Start your day with fresh fruit and have a fresh, green salad before your mid-day and evening meals.

Make your salads bigger and the portions of proteins and starches smaller. Raw veggies take time to chew. This gives your body time to produce the hormones needed to tell your mind that you are full. This is an excellent way to avoid overeating. Also, raw fruits and veggies leave you feeling lighter and more energetic.

Tip 5 - Chew your food slowly and thoroughly. Not only do you get the benefit mentioned above, but it helps digestion. Digestion starts in your mouth. If you don't break down the food very well while chewing, it will have a much harder time breaking down in your stomach and intestines. This leads to a higher possibility of your body storing fat instead of losing it.

Tip 6 - Drink plenty of fresh, spring water between meals. This helps your body flush dangerous wastes that needs to leave. Your blood is 80% water, which helps it stay fluid and flow through your body. Water is also needed to carry oxygen and nutrients throughout your body.

Many times, people feel fatigued or cranky while dieting for weight loss. If this sounds like you, check your water intake. It is easy to become dehydrated from consuming drinks with caffeine, sugar or artificial ingredients that can actually cause your body to excrete more water than you are taking in. Try to get most of your water from fresh, spring drinking water alone. If you need a little help, add a squeeze of lemon or a splash of real fruit juice.

Tip 7 - Exercise at least three to four times per week. If you are not used to exercising, choose any exercise to start moving. Using a stationary bike is safe for the joints while walking is an excellent all around exercise that strengthens muscles and stretches them at the same time.

These tips will help you reach your goals. If you can't do all of them, try adding one or two tips per week. The more of these you incorporate into your daily routine, the easier and quicker you can get a speedy metabolism and the quicker your weight loss will be.