The Tip: Turn your thermostat down to the lower 60s, especially when you sleep.

The Study: Fiona Johnson of University College London

The Theory: In mildly cold conditions, your body can generate heat without shivering ("non-shivering thermogenesis" if you're a scientist), and researchers believe that this response has an impact on brown fat. Unlike regular fat, brown fat burns calories like a furnace when it's activated by non-shivering thermogenesis.

The Tip: Add a multivitamin to your daily routine.

The Study: International Journal of Obesity, National Institute of Health and the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at Harbin Medical University

The Theory: Researchers haven't pinpointed individual vitamins that impact weightloss, but they believe that when your body is low on nutrients, your appetite fires up and you overeat as a way to replenish your bod.

The Tip: Snag an end seat at your dinner parties and happy hours, and shop the outer edge of the grocery store.

The Study: Various

The Theory: Bread, chips and other high-calorie, carby foods tend to be set at the center of the table at parties/happy hour/dinners, and highly processed and packaged foods hover in the middle aisles of a typical grocery store floorplan. Avoid those center spots at the table or bar, and when you're grocery shopping, load up your cart from the outer aisles, where the fresh produce, meats, dairy and natural foods are typically shelved.

The Tip: Season with cayenne, ginger, red pepper flakes, black pepper, turmeric, coriander, garlic powder and cinnamon.

The Study: Purdue University

The Theory: Spicy spices, like cayenne and black pepper, rev your metabolism and help your body burn more calories through thermogenesis, the production of heat in the body. Spices with strong aromas (like garlic power) or an extra kick (red pepper flakes) also force you to take smaller bites, so you're more likely to register "full" without overeating.

The Tip: Teach yourself to drink wine ... in moderation.

The Study: Brigham and Women's Hospital

The Theory: Over a 13-year span, researchers found that women who sipped on a glass (or two) a day not only consumed fewer calories, but that women burn more calories after drinking than men do because our bodies have to work harder to metabolize alcohol). Bonus: wine is full of antioxidants that reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.