You want to lose serious weight, fast, but don't have time to read every diet book out there.

This month, certified nutrition counselor, New York Times bestselling author and Diet.com contributor Leanne Ely shares the best foods to rev up your metabolism.

As someone with a compromised thyroid, I am always interested in natural ways to boost my metabolism. And while it is true that exercise will do a metabolism good, there are a number of foods that will get your metabolism going in the right direction as well. What's not to love about that?

1. Some like it hot

Chili, cayenne pepper, salsa — just add some picante to your meals and watch your metabolism climb, perhaps as much as 20%! Who knew a spicy burrito (make it with lean protein and go easy on the cheese) could work wonders?

2. Berry interesting

With a high fiber content, berries have the distinction of giving you less calories than you eat. And their natural sugar content nicely satisfies a sweet tooth. Berries need to be on everyone's shopping list.

3. Fishing for compliments

Once again, wild salmon makes the list with its abundant omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids not only boost your metabolism, they increase energy levels and make your skin positively glow.

4. Celebrate celery

When I was in high school, we ate celery to lose weight before cheerleading competitions. We were on to something way back then: Celery takes more calories to digest and absorb than you get from eating it. Put some celery sticks in your lunchbox this week.

5. Pucker up

By adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to a glass of water every morning, you'll slow digestion down a bit, aiding your body's ability to metabolize, thus speeding everything up. No sugar though: This is lemonaid in its purest form.

6. Ice, ice, baby

Regular water consumption is good for metabolism because it helps your body digest and detoxify, and can help raise your metabolism rate by 30%. Bring down the temperature a bit on your trusty bottle of water (40 degrees F) and you'll burn even more, according to the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

7. Float your oats

Oatmeal's slow release of glucose and fiber fills you up, making it a metabolism favorite. Even if your childhood memories of porridge are less than fond, try a bowl of steel-cut oats (add blueberries for a double whammy). It will do your body good.

8. Cabbage patch

Actually anything in the brassica family will do the trick. All of these cabbage patch kids — from broccoli to cabbage to cauliflower and anything in between — improve the function of metabolism.

9. Soup's on!

A study at Baylor College of Medicine found that people who ate a bowl of soup before meals lost more weight than those who didn't. Make sure you're eating veggie-filled, broth-based soups, though — cream soups will just add to your girth.

10. An apple a day

Or make that an apple per meal! Research from the State University of Rio de Janeiro discovered that eating three small apples a day helped people eat less at each meal, with the result being a boost in metabolism. Can't beat that!

Steal the real-life-tested appetite control tricks of women who whip up culinary delights for a living. Learn how they keep themselves from nibbling 24-7.

They say you should never trust a skinny chef. But what about a petite food stylist or a svelte cupcake queen? The fact is, when your job involves truffle fries instead of office supplies, you have to get creative at dodging food so you don't blow up like a human soufflé.

Front-load your calories

"My key to not eating cupcakes all day? A high-protein breakfast fills me up and keeps me satisfied. My favorite: egg whites with basil and tomatoes. And I plan a lunch I can look forward to, like brown rice sushi or chicken and broccoli. Yum!"
—Linda Lea, producer for the Food Network's Chopped and co-owner of Butter Lane Cupcakes in New York City

Savor your sips

"When I'm at a wine-tasting party for a client, it can be hard to keep track of how much I've had to drink. The wine glasses (and calories!) can add up. My trick: Sip slowly. By the time we're ready to move to the next pairing, they've cleared the glass away."
—Melissa Libby, restaurant publicist

Freshen up

"I brush my teeth multiple times a day because having a clean-mouth feeling keeps me from wanting to nosh. Fudge-stuffed cupcakes don't taste as delicious with minty breath. Chewing on a piece of strong, pepperminty gum stops the nibbling cold, too."
—Bianca Henry, Today Show food stylist, New York City

Downsize your utensils

"If I'm tasting a dessert, I'll use an espresso spoon—you can only load so much on it. That way, I can enjoy a spoonful of chocolate pudding cake with coffee ice cream without overdoing it. Smaller spoon, fewer calories."
—Emily Luchetti, executive pastry chef, Waterbar and Farallon restaurants in San Francisco

Fill up on H2O

"As soon as I get to work, I drink eight ounces of water. It helps me fuel and connect with my body, and I just don't find myself reaching for cookies when I'm well-hydrated."
—Linda Lea

Make it bubbly

"I love mixing textures with meals, so I drink sparkling water with lunch or when I'm taste-testing food. The bubbles give me the sensation of being full."
—Jill Santopietro, senior food editor for chow.com

Snack smart

"I sample our goat cheese dozens of times per day. Instead of eating it on a cracker or bread, I'll pop a piece on a slice of apple or eat it plain to save calories."
—Tasia Malakasis, owner of Belle Chèvre goat cheese creamery in Elkmont, Alabama

Go nutty

"For me, a key to not eating too much junk food on set is keeping a stash of healthy almonds to nibble on instead; they're my perfect snack. The combination of protein and fiber helps prevent blood sugar crashes, the fat is good-for-you fat, and the crunchy texture requires a good bit of chewing, so I feel like I'm really eating something. Plus, they're incredibly portable."
—Bianca Henry

Make plans to indulge

"I'll have an afternoon cappuccino with cocoa dusted on top. If I have that to look forward to, I'll 'behave' throughout the day."
—Emily Luchetti

Preserve the goodies

"The freezer is one of the most underutilized tools in your kitchen. It's not just for ice cream; I freeze nuts, brownies and cookie dough. That way, I won't eat it right away, and I don't feel like I'm wasting food by throwing it out."
—Jill Santopietro

Be crazed (in a good way)

"We're constantly on the go at work—lifting 50-pound bags of sugar and flour, squatting beneath baking trays all day long. These are not only great ways to burn calories at work, but they honestly keep us too busy to even think about snacking on cupcakes. And staying busy works no matter what you're doing!"
—Katherine Kallinis and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, co-owners of Georgetown Cupcake and stars of TLC's DC Cupcakes

Think afternoon delight

"Customers will come in and say, 'If I worked here, I'd be as big as a house!' Believe me, I would be, too, if I didn't stick to my rule of not eating sweets before 1 p.m. If I'm still craving a cookie in the afternoon, I'll have one."
—Abbey Alpert, partner at The Flour Pot Cookies in Ambler, Pennsylvania

Soup up

"Once a week, I'll make a big stew. I add just 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a big pot and throw in garlic, onions, carrots, beets, low-sodium chicken broth, potatoes, beans, maybe some low-fat cuts of meat. When hunger strikes, I have a super-satisfying, low-fat dish that I can pig out on without feeling guilty, and then I don't reach as much for the Camembert."
—Nadia G, star of Cooking Channel's Bitchin' Kitchen

Weigh your options

"I always ask myself, 'Is it worth the calories?' French-style nougat with loads of nuts and fruits dipped in dark chocolate is worth it to me; gummy candies and potato chips definitely are not."
—Nur Kilic,owner of Serenade Chocolatier in Brookline Village, Massachusetts

Do a doggie bag

"I am typically in 10 restaurants each week, and that's just for business! Most of the food is so good I want to snarf down the whole plate, but I savor each bite and plan to ask for a doggie bag so I can enjoy the dish again. I love taking home that delicious food and recreating the experience for my five-year-old."
—Elizabeth Moore, Atlanta-based restaurant publicist