Losing weight is never easy — and can, in fact, be one of the most challenging goals.

Dropping inches and pounds while staying healthy and acquiring enough energy to crush your fitness routine requires knowledge, planning — and a few great, easy weight loss hacks never hurt. 

Here are four hacks so simple you can incorporate them into your daily routine today to help you lose weight and feel amazing.

Eat On Smaller Plates

Your eyes really can deceive you — but that’s a good thing when it comes to your appetite and weight loss. Studies have found that serving food on smaller plates — such as an appetizer dish instead of a dinner plate — can actually trick you into thinking you are full after fewer bites. Another upside to this hack is that you can get away with preparing a small dish with fewer tasty items (like a sliver of dark chocolate for dessert) and you’ll feel totally satisfied with less.

Sit Down For Every Meal

Eating on the go — in your car or while walking or in transit — prevents you from fully experiencing your meal. As a result, you may find yourself overeating or feeling unsatisfied as you rush to finish your food. Try to make a point of sitting for every single meal — even breakfast — and turning off electronics and other distractions. Focusing on each bite will help you savor your food and makes you more aware of your hunger signal cues so that you don’t eat more than necessary.

Reorganize Your Fridge

You have a busy life. And when your day is filled with meetings and responsibilities, you spend less time rummaging through the fridge for healthy items to whip up into a healthy meal. One simple solution is to make a point of reorganizing your refrigerator so that fruits, veggies, and whole foods are well within your reach. Store items that you rarely use (and that won’t perish easily) further away from the fridge door and place perishable produce where you can see it. This hack won’t just help you lose weight, it can save you a ton of money on grocery bills — you’ll throw away less and consume more of what you already have in your fridge.

Plan Ahead And Bring Lunch To Work

Planning ahead is probably the most important rule of thumb when it comes to losing weight. When we make meal decisions on the fly, we rarely choose what’s best for us. Take a few minutes out on Saturday or Sunday to plan your meals for the week and don’t forget to include lunch in your planning. Healthy dinners can make for incredible lunch leftovers — invest in a sturdy tupperware set and get ready to lose weight and save money in the new year.

Discover more about how to lose weight this new year here: How to quickly get a flatter belly while still enjoying all the foods you

love