Methods on how to lose weight fast normally center on specific dietary strategies. However, there are many other factors outside of controlling how many fat grams you consume in a day that can help accelerate fat loss. This article will examine 2 different studies that disclose key methods for efficient and continual weight loss.

A 2004 study published by Dr. David Levitsky on Weight Gaining Behavior examined the eating behaviors of freshman at Cornell University college. It discovered that the students who gained weight the most had three common traits:

1. Snacking on high fat junk foods

2. Increased frequency of snacking on junk foods

3. "All You Can Eat" dining

The issue here is that humans don't snack well. We fail to regulate our caloric intake over time (I.e. if we eat an extra 300 calories as a snack in the morning, then we will not eat 300 calories less at lunch).

Most snacks are sugar or carbohydrate-based, so you need to be careful when it comes to snacking. Avoid them at all costs. They will increase your calories and carbohydrate intake to the point where you are pulled right out of the fat burning zone. Instead, eat snacks high in protein and fiber. This one change in behavior can make a huge difference in your journey to lose weight fast.

As for "All You Can Eat" dining, this is just a plain bad idea. This mindset is just setting yourself up for dieting failure – you need to control your calorie intake with ease. Controlling your environment is an important step in that direction. Watch your plate size, glass size, amount of food, etc.

Another important study, the Lifestyle Heart Trial, reveals to us 3 crucial behavior changes that we must make permanent to lose weight fast. A group of people, between 1977-1980, were put on what is called the Ornish Diet (as part of the Trial). The Ornish Diet is a vegetarian diet that is very low in fat. Because of the severe fat restriction, many find this diet hard to follow for a long period of time. During the trial, participants experienced impressive results such as reduction of heart attack-causing plaques in their arteries. However, since this original study, similar results using the Ornish Diet have never been duplicated.

Why?

Because the people in the study were implementing more than just a diet; they also did regular exercise (3 hours per week), meditation and relaxation (1 hour per day), and participated in 2 group support sessions each week. The addition of the other factors made the diet so much more effective.

Adding exercise, stress management techniques and finding a support system will greatly enhance your efforts to lose weight fast.

If you are having trouble losing weight, examine your current weight loss efforts. What kinds of foods do you snack on? Do you avoid "All You Can Eat" events? How well do you manage the stress in your life? Do you have a support team?

When you honestly answer these questions, you will be able to locate the holes in your plan. Get your weight loss back on track by changing them.