1) Move around a lot. When your body burns energy constantly, it becomes more efficient at doing so. Every day snuggle in 30 minutes of moderate-to-high-intensity activities, like skating, playing tennis, jogging, skipping ropes, etc. When you’re idle, don’t just sit on your bums. Get up energetically every now and then. It is a common wisdom that the more you move, the better. So move big.

2) Move right. Two people could be walking the same distance, but they may get different results–simply because one engages more muscle use than the other person. If you jog around the neighborhood, make your steps bigger so that you engage larger groups of muscles. Land with your heels. Tense your core. Stabilize your upper body. Otherwise pick up a sport and learn how to use your body. Trust me, this will be one of the most worthwhile investment you can do for yourself.

3) Sleep well. You don’t metabolize correctly if you don’t sleep.

4) Eat more frequently but with smaller portions. Like I said, “When your body burns energy constantly, it becomes more efficient at doing so.” Therefore, you exercise, and you eat more frequently, to keep the machine constantly fueling.

5) Magic diet pills don’t work. Trust me on this one. If pills work, there would be a feature breakthrough story on TIME. That said, nutritional supplements can be helpful. Those are naturals. You may try a daily dose of tonalin, 400 mg chromium, lecithin, Q10, and multi-vitamin. These are helpful in breaking down fat.

Good Luck!

*Weight training keeps metabolism going longer than cardio exercises. The combination of the 2 will work best.

* Eat small meals every 3 hours or so. That also keeps metabolism going. High protein, low fat and some carbs.

* eat spicy foods. That raises metabolism and burns more calories.

* drink lots of water… 8 to 10 glasses a day.

Try this site. It is free and you can keep track of everything you eat and how many each activity it burns. They calculate everything for you. It is the best!

Good luck!