Most people who want to lose weight want to do it fast and easy. As a result, they fall prey to weight loss schemes that don't work, surgical procedures that are potentially dangerous, and unnatural pills that wreak havoc on their bodies. They want weight loss solutions that offer quick fixes for something that they've spent a lifetime accumulating!

Losing the pounds is the crucial first step. Jumpstarting one's way to weight loss is often the most difficult. But once you're able to reach your desired body weight, an even more complex issue is maintaining it. While admittedly challenging, most of the methods that can keep the weight off are natural, safe and proven effective. Unlike weight loss scams that offer results for little or no effort, these techniques require a committed individual's active participation.

One natural way to keep the weight off is to eat breakfast! In the constant rush to beat morning traffic, breakfast is often the most neglected meal of the day. This slows down the body's metabolic action and decreases calorie burn. As every Weight Loss 101 student knows, a fast metabolism is the key towards burning the fat and losing the weight. By eating a well-balanced morning meal to begin your day, you're revving up your body's metabolism so it can burn the fat.

Another natural way to keep the pounds at bay is to continue with your exercise regimen. Strength training is recommended at least three times a week so you can lose fat and build muscle at the same time. Calisthenics is also the preferred regimen for those who wish to burn the fat without going to the gym. These anaerobic exercises rev up your metabolism to the point that you're still burning the fat even after your exercise session. Walking 10,000 steps also keeps the weight off even as it lowers high blood pressure and prevents certain forms of cancer.

Getting enough sleep is also important in maintaining a healthy weight. If you don't get enough sleep, your body produces increased amounts of cortisol and insulin. Elevated levels of these substances impair your body's ability to process carbohydrates which slows down your metabolism that, in turn, lowers your body's fat burning ability.

If you want to keep the weight off for life, you've got to live healthy, too. Continued stress has been shown to contribute to muscle loss and emotional eating. This can harm your body and put on those extra pounds. Know when you've had enough and recharge when you feel you've taken on a little too much.

Finally, by eating and drinking foods that naturally burn fat, you'll also keep the weight off naturally and safely. Green tea has ECGC that boosts the body's fat burning ability. You can lose as much as 50 more calories per day if you guzzle down 2 to 4 cups. Plus, its antioxidant powers protect from certain diseases like cancer. Chili peppers have capsaicin that speeds up the metabolic rate, albeit temporarily. Other natural fat-burning foods include oatmeal, Vitamin-C rich fruits, tuna, sardines and lean pork and beef. Of course, you've got to watch your portions, too. And if you want to indulge in those "unhealthy" favorites, do so once in a while and at decent amounts.