Dieting and healthy living perennially rank in the top five most popular New Year’s resolutions. But for the busy folks out there, fitting healthy meal prep and exercise into an already packed schedule can be challenging. It doesn’t have to be. Five easy weight loss tips will jumpstart your goals.

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Reduce snacking, eat frequent meals instead: Snacking can be a good way to keep your stomach satisfied throughout the day, but the grab-as-you-go snacks are often high in calories and sugar. Make it a habit to reduce snacking overall. If your body is still craving some nutrients, pack zero calorie vegetables with low-fat ranch dressing for snack time instead of a KIND bar.

If it crunches, don’t buy it: The ultimate way to avoid munching on unhealthy food at home is to not have any of it in the house. Think of the new year as a way to purge the kitchen of everything unnecessary. Restock cabinets with more health conscious alternatives from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s instead. Remember to watch the oil and calorie contents on those “veggie chips.”

Prep on Sundays: Sundays can still be lazy and productive at the same time. Pack batches of food for the week on Sunday afternoons. Steaming vegetables and whisking up lemon vinaigrette ahead of time guarantees a daily portion of vegetables for the rest of the week. Then settle in for an afternoon of football or reading.

Stairs instead of elevator: Opting for more physically active alternatives can add up after a 12-hour work or study day. Avoiding the elevator at work and taking the stairs every day thereafter may be hard in the beginning, but over time the body will get used to burning the extra amount of calories and it will likely become more of a daily habit.

Stick to a gym schedule: This is probably the tip that requires the most amount of self-discipline. I advise not overwhelming yourself with a heavy gym routine in the beginning of the year and instead working towards a more stable and permanent plan around February. It’s normal to relax a little and enjoy the holidays, but it is important to resume regular activity once the holiday season comes to an end.

We want to see your before and after pics! Snap ’em and tag #lipulse or @longislandpulse on Instagram.