Employ these sure-fire weight-loss boosters.

• Position: Nutrition

It is no secret that the ultimate key to successful weight loss and healthy weight maintenance is to keep one's metabolism revving, fueled by energy- and nutrition-rich foods, dietary supplements, and an active lifestyle. Moreover, a little strategy can go a long way toward making sure a diet and weight-loss initiative stays on course, particularly when the going gets tough.

With this in mind, Britta Zimmer, chief health officer at nutrition supplement purveyor Good Elements. offers these tips to help kick your metabolism into high gear and keep those temptations in check:

Eat mostly vegetables and lean protein, Half of your plate should be brightly colored vegetables (spinach, kale, red peppers, broccoli) because those with deep colors contain the most nutrition. The other half should be good quality, low-fat protein sources, such as eggs, tofu, fish, chicken, and turkey, which will give you a feeling of fullness for a longer period of time and, thus, better hold those cravings at bay.

Keep blood sugar stable. Losing weight is quite difficult when blood sugar levels are elevated, which impairs carbohydrate metabolism and increases sugar cravings--all working against you. Avoid simple sugars along with artificial sweetners, which can cause sugar rebound cravings. Indeed, research has shown an...