The quickest way to lose weight is through diet and exercise, period. That means taking in fewer calories than you burn.

Starving yourself is silly because it sends your body into a low calorie burning mode, and it could cause serious health problems. Patience is a virtue when trying to lose weight, as with many endeavors.

Combining a healthy diet with exercise is a long term strategy for the quickest way to lose weight. That's without the yo-yo effect of many fad diets.

Diet means the everyday way you eat, not a short term solution for losing weight. Foods from each food group are part of a healthy, balanced diet. From there adjust down calories during periods when some weight loss is needed.

Sounds like a big change, huh? It might not be. You may already eat most of the foods needed for a well balanced diet, just not in the right portions.

Cut down quantities, replace starches with whole grains, and you can still even eat cake while losing weight .

The key to maintaining a healthy diet is planning. When you fail to plan you miss meals, that leads to binge eating. When you fail to plan you often find yourself at the mercy of a fast food restaurant or a friend whose food leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to healthy foods.

Plan meals in advance, including for occasions like parties and social gatherings. It only takes a few questions to find out what's on the menu and plan the days other meals accordingly to not eat too much. Don't let a failure discourage you. Sometimes you'll eat the wrong things. But when you get bucked off get right back on. Get back to the diet.

As for exercise perform 30 minutes of aerobic exercise seven days a week. That's the goal, don't worry if you miss a day here or there. Add extra exercise such as parking further from the store or office for a little walk, or climbing stairs instead of the elevator.

Combine the healthy every day diet with physical activity for the quickest way to lose weight.