You're eating right, finally making it to the gym as planned, but you're still not getting the results you want. What's going on? Your metabolism could be to blame. Having a sluggish metabolism can make it really difficult to increase your core body temperature and burn off those extra calories. If this sounds like the reason why the scale won't budge, you need a better plan for boosting that heart rate and stoking that calorie-burning fire!

Start things off by changing up your workout schedule. If you've been hitting the treadmill and weights on alternate days and aren't seeing results, it's time to try something new. Jump onto the elliptical trainer for a great cardio and resistance combo that will get your heart pumping. Pick up the jump rope and do a few sets between your treadmill run to give your body a new challenge. The goal here is to work just a little bit harder by challenging different muscle groups.

Next, make sure your diet really is up to par. Are you eating three large meals and feel like you're starving in between? The best way to give a sluggish metabolism a boost is to eat small snacks, up to six 'mini meals,' throughout the day. This will give you plenty of fuel to get through a few hours without feeling hungry, and will keep that digestive fire and metabolism running at full speed. Just fill up a lunch tote with your daily meal plan so it's easier to keep up with your healthy routine.

If you're not getting the results you want from your fitness routine, make sure you're getting enough sleep. A lack of sleep can make it very difficult to keep your energy level running strong throughout the day, and you're more likely to overeat or eat the wrong types of foods when you're tired. Make sure you're getting between 7 to 9 hours of rest per night so that your body can effectively burn extra calories all day long.

Revving up a sluggish metabolism is no easy feat, especially if you're already exercising regularly and eating a well-balanced diet. Making a few tweaks to your daily schedule and routine may be all you really need to get that metabolism running in high gear, and start getting the results you want!