Sticking to a healthy diet can be tough, especially if you don’t have a solid plan in place. If you’re looking for practical tips on how to achieve weight loss and nutrition success in 2016, you’ve come to the right place.

Step 1: Set Realistic Goals

Before you dive into any kind of weight loss or healthy eating plan, take some time to set realistic goals for yourself. Don’t set yourself up for failure by aiming for an unrealistic goal, like losing 20 pounds in a month.

Instead, focus on making small changes to your diet and lifestyle that will add up over time.

Step 2: Keep a Food Journal

One of the best ways to stay on track with your nutrition goals is to keep a food journal. This can help you keep track of the foods you’re eating and identify any unhealthy habits you might have.

There are many free tools and apps available that can make food journaling easier.

Step 3: Practice Portion Control

Learning how to control your portion sizes is key to achieving weight loss and nutrition success.

You don’t have to deprive yourself of your favorite foods, but it’s important to pay attention to serving sizes and aim for balance in your meals.

Step 4: Incorporate More Vegetables

Most people don’t eat enough vegetables, but they’re an important part of any healthy diet. Try to incorporate more vegetables into your meals by adding them to soups, stir-fries, and salads.

You can also snack on raw veggies and dips to boost your intake throughout the day.

Step 5: Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking enough water is essential for maintaining good health, especially during weight loss. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day, and try to avoid sugary drinks and excessive caffeine, which can dehydrate you.

Step 6: Choose Healthy Snacks

Many people struggle with snacking, but it doesn’t have to be unhealthy. Choose snacks that are high in protein and fiber, like nuts, seeds, and veggies with hummus. These will fill you up and keep you satisfied between meals.

Step 7: Don’t Skip Meals

Skipping meals can actually be counterproductive when it comes to weight loss. It can lead to overeating later in the day and cause your metabolism to slow down. Aim to eat three healthy meals per day with healthy snacks in between.

Step 8: Incorporate Strength Training

Strength training is an important part of any weight loss and nutrition plan. It can help build lean muscle mass, boost your metabolism, and improve overall fitness.

Incorporate strength training exercises like weightlifting or bodyweight exercises into your routine at least a few times per week.

Step 9: Find Healthy Substitutes

Instead of depriving yourself of your favorite foods, try to find healthier substitutes that satisfy your cravings. For example, you can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, or almond flour instead of white flour in baking.

Step 10: Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time

One of the best ways to stay on track with your nutrition goals is to plan your meals ahead of time. This can help you avoid making unhealthy choices when you’re short on time or energy. Take some time each week to plan out your meals and snacks.

Step 11: Track Your Progress

Tracking your progress is an important part of staying motivated and achieving success. Take measurements and weigh yourself periodically to see how you’re progressing. Celebrate your successes along the way, even if they’re small.

Step 12: Give Yourself Grace

Finally, remember that everyone makes mistakes and slips up from time to time. Don’t beat yourself up or give up if you have a setback. Give yourself grace and keep moving forward with your nutrition and weight loss goals.