Losing weight is equal parts physical and mental. It’s all about believing you can achieve your fitness goals. Along with dialing in nutrition and putting in time at the gym, there are a few “mind hacks” that can help you reach your weight loss goal faster. These are simple, easy hacks that you can put to use today. 

Hack #1: Smaller plates

This is an oldie, but goodie. Sometimes simply swapping out a large dinner plate for a small one can make you feel like you’re eating more food! Because smaller plate = less plate to cover with food, you’ll likely consume less.

Hack #2: Drink more water

Let’s be honest. Sometimes we want to just to eat for no reason at all. When this happens, choose to fill your belly with water instead of empty calories. This will keep you hydrated AND on track to meeting your weight loss goal!

Hack #3: Put it on the side

Out to dinner and ordering a salad? Ask to get the dressing on the side, instead of drenched over your bed of lettuce. This strategy applies for other condiments, too. If you order a bun-less, lean burger, opt for the restaurant’s iconic special sauce to be served on the side. You’ll instantly shave off calories by doing this!

Hack #4: Talk more!

We love this hack. Instead of focusing on the food in front of your when you go out to eat, focus on the people you’re with! Engaging in conversation can help prevent you from overeating (because, after all, you can’t chat with a mouth full of food!)

Hack #5: Put the fork down

Practice putting down your fork in between each bite. This will help you slow down and feel more full. Pacing your eating can have a tremendous impact on your overall calorie intake!

Hack #6: Get the to-go box early

Most restaurants have absurdly large serving sizes. Combat this problem by asking for the to-go box at the beginning of the meal instead of the end. Divide your meal so you only have half on your plate. By doing this, you won’t be tempted to eat every crumb in front of you!

Hack #7:  Focus on short-term goals

Facing the whole picture can feel daunting and overwhelming. If you’re trying to lose a large amount of weight, it can feel like the end is so far in sight. Instead of focusing on your long-term goal, choose to focus on the short-term. Losing 2 pounds in one week can seem a lot more manageable than 10 pounds in one month! It’s all about setting realistic goals when it comes to weight loss. A series of small wins can help you get to your big win!