Losing weight is no longer a mystery to most people. You have to cut back on how much you eat and increase movement so you burn off more calories than you consume. Sounds really simple, but taking the weight off without giving up healthy meals can be a slow process. The question now is how to lose pounds quickly without starving yourself.

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.

Therefore, limit your carbs to a pre-workout snack where they are needed or cut them off completely mid-afternoon, giving your body time to burn them off before you wind down for the night.

For the bulk of your meals and snacks, take advantage of lean protein sources and vegetables and fruits that are lower in calories but deliver a big punch of vitamins and minerals your body needs to function.

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.