New Years Resolutions, a love hate cycle that looms over us every year and the tradition of getting tough with our excess weight is a major challenge. The quickest way to lose weight besides dangerous surgery and diet pills is balanced nutrition and exercise. Below you will find a list of powerful foods that will increase weight loss and energy levels.

1. Fat enhancers like refined sugars are found in many processed foods along with unhealthy preservatives. Sweetened cereal like fruit loops is a great example, always keep away from high doses of fat, sugar and salt. Grab a box of shredded wheat, it's the only ingredient you need and nothing else. Unsweetened soy milk and fruit make this no fat cereal the pick of the bunch.

2. Balance is a key to good nutrition and the quick way to lose weight without starving yourself. Skim milk gives you much needed protein for muscle development. Whole wheat gives us good carbohydrates for much needed energy and natural peanut butter provides healthy fat to maintain brain function and development. If you eat this combination of food throughout the day and add in cardiovascular workouts, you will burn the fat in no time.

3. Protein is nature's fat burner. Our bodies take roughly three hours to digest the meals we consume and lean protein (i.e. lean chicken & turkey) are what we call thermogenic. If you consume a meal every three hours, you will never hunger for junk food. Besides the norm, consume fish like salmon and trout. Other protein sources include egg whites, cottage cheese (non-fat of course) and soy protein to supplement your other sources.

4. Complex carbs are the ultimate ingredient for any nutriton program. To stay at the top of your game you need energy to maintain workout levels high enough to burn calories. If you notice the following list are mostly plant foods, so use that as a guide for complex carbs. Spinach, beans and lentils, red peppers, sweet potatoes, yams, kale, and tomatoes are just a few examples.

5. Hydrate! If your body is not hydrated properly, you will feel weak, dizzy and out of sorts. The water also works to flush out toxins in your system. 8-10 eight ounce glasses of water per day will properly hydrate your body. Herbal green tea is a great substitute and is also an antioxidant which prevents heart problems.

6. A weight loss plan wouldn't be complete without a workout plan. Hiring a personal trainer is a great option to get the moves right and have a routine that is suited to your level of fitness. Working out at home is more convenient but you need to buy equipment and dig deep for lots of discipline which is a challenge but very rewarding when you overcome it.

Now you know the quick way to lose weight is to eat right and workout with a balanced program that will help you gain strength, stamina and a healthy body for life.