Regular physical activity, whether it’s going for a run, doing a cardio workout, or taking a yoga class, it’s essential to move regularly for metabolic health. 

“I often advise folks to think of exercise in terms of exercise ‘snacks’ throughout the day; 20 minutes of walking, resistance training, etc.—even (and especially) things like taking the stairs, cleaning, playing, and walking your dog,” says Pasquariello. “These add up and contribute much more to metabolism in the grand scheme of things.” 

Resistance, or strength training, is especially important for metabolic health and it can shift your body composition to have more muscle mass. Muscle mass is more metabolically active11 than fat mass, which basically means it burns more calories at rest and supports blood sugar balance.