The basic formula for weight loss is to eat less than you burn off on a given day. This sounds rather easy to accomplish, but in most cases doing it this way can take a long period of time if you have a lot to lose. The more pressing issue is how to lose pounds quickly without starving your body or pumping it full of strange pills.

The basic formula for shedding pounds is to consume fewer calories than your body needs at any given moment to sustain basic functioning and your activity level. This is what will get your system to use stored fat for energy, but starving yourself will eventually have the opposite results. It is best to focus more on what and when you eat rather than not eating.

Ideally, each meal will give your body just a little less than what it will need for sustenance until the next feeding. Obviously, you will not burn off 1,000 calories while watching TV in the evening so eating a meal that large before plopping on the couch is a surefire way to gain weight.

The time of day that you eat particular foods is another issue. You need carbohydrates because they are your main source of fuel for long workout sessions. The problem is you don’t need very many of them because they take longer to break down and provide more energy over a longer period of time.

To lose weight fast you need to limit carbs to earlier in the day, cutting them out completely in the afternoon so they can be burned off before you wind down in the evening. You can also use them as a snack prior to a long, intense workout where the energy will be needed.

The rest of your meals and snacks should be focused on foods that provide a lot of energy without high calorie content, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein.

To ensure that you always feel full while learning how to lose pounds quickly, drink a glass of water just before a meal and throughout the day. Don’t let your body confuse dehydration with hunger and throw you off track.