6 Ways to Make Losing Weight Less of a Downer

— -- intro: Let’s face it: Trying to eat healthier and move more can sometimes feel like a drag. Change your mindset with these six tricks.

quicklist: 1category: How to Make Losing Weight Less of a Downertitle: Set the tableurl:text: A beautifully dressed table allows you to really cherish what you’re eating. So use the nice silverware, buy flowers, light candles, and bust out your place mats and cloth napkins. Even if you’re reheating leftovers or having a healthy frozen entree, take it out of the container, put it on a nice plate and savor each bite by candlelight as you listen to your favorite music. Using a knife and fork to cut each bite in to small pieces also makes you slow down and eat less. It takes 20 minutes for our bellies to register that we are full, so the slower, the better.

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quicklist: 2category: How to Make Losing Weight Less of a Downertitle: Eat outsideurl:text: Dining al fresco can be so much fun. As you enjoy the fresh air and the people-watching, notice how you slow down, stay present, and really taste each yummy morsel of food you eat. When my husband and I went on our honeymoon in Italy we ate outside for many meals and I always took my time and enjoyed the scenery just as much as the food I was eating. Yes, vacations are special occasions but you can easily appreciate your patio or back yard—even a park bench.

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quicklist: 3category: How to Make Losing Weight Less of a Downertitle: Brighten your plateurl:text: Add splashes of colors and shapes and use a variety of healthy vegetables, plus lean protein and a small portion of carbohydrates. I notice my 1-year-old son gets such a kick out of all of his different sized mixed vegetables. He’ll pick up a pea and roll it around a few times before eating it, then he grabs a little carrot, next a green bean, then a piece of corn. He is visually stimulated and interested in the textures, tastes, and colors of his food. Following that cue as adults can help us savor our meals.

quicklist: 4category: How to Make Losing Weight Less of a Downertitle: Go out for a fancy lunchurl:text: Not only will you save calories—lunch portions are generally smaller and you’re less likely to drink alcohol mid-day—but you’ll also save money! One of my favorite things to do is go out to lunch during restaurant week in NYC with friends. We have a little salad, a nice meal, and a small but tasty dessert. I’m usually satisfied until dinner and often only want something light for my last meal of the day.

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quicklist: 5category: How to Make Losing Weight Less of a Downertitle: Share your creationurl:text: Show off your pretty meal by snapping a photo for Instagram before you eat. You might just appreciate it more if you treat it like an Insta-artwork. You can also share by saving a bite or two on your plate for your partner, friend, or child to try. I give my son Timothy a taste of everything I am eating at each meal. I automatically save a few calories by letting him sample a bit of my salmon and veggies or PB&J.

quicklist: 6category: How to Make Losing Weight Less of a Downertitle: Hold a competitionurl:text: With your office colleagues, group of friends, fellow moms or even your spouse. When you have others to share in a goal with you, it makes slimming down more fun…and who doesn’t love a friendly competition? If you are too shy to involve others, buy a tracking device and have a competition with yourself and the online community. Every day you can add more steps to your log or shave off a few unwanted calories.

Kristin McGee is a leading yoga and Pilates instructor and healthy lifestyle expert based in New York City. She is an ACE certified personal trainer who regularly trains celebrity clients in New York and Los Angeles. She serves as Health’s contributing fitness editor and is frequently seen on national TV.