Weight loss hacks you should know

Creating healthier lifestyles for ourselves seems like a feat for some of us, but what you might not know is that small steps can create bigger, more meaningful results. Check out these small changes that can help you in your weight loss journey.

1. Prepare ahead. A fan of healthy smoothies but are turned off at the time you need to prepare it? Women's Health suggests planning ahead and preparing your ingredients by placing them into single-serve zip-top bags. The great thing about this is that you can also write down additional ingredients you may need on the bag, and the date on which you have to consume the bag. Toss this into your freezer for near-future use and cut down your preparation time in half.

2. Know how to battle and/or address your cravings. The Huffington Post reports that a 2014 study shows that most cravings are visual-based, so to address this, it's best to play a game such as tetris (or any game you have on your phone). This will decrease feelings of cravings and distract your brain.

3. Quit the extra sugar. If you can, quit the "junk food" category entirely. Cut down on soda, which heightens your risk for diabetes and a slew of other health problems when paired with an unhealthy lifestyle. Swap out unhealthy cravings for potato chips with kale chips and substitute coffee (some coffee shop brews have too much cream or sugar, adding to the calories) with green tea. When you're at the grocery, shop on the outer sides, where fruit, vegetables, and other fresh food are located. Skip the junk food aisles completely unless necessary. The Huffington Post also recommends hiding the junk food in your home so that you don't see it. Put healthy food within sight instead.

4. Don't shop for groceries when hungry. In fact, according to the Huffington Post, a study conducted by food psychologists at Cornell University found that if you eat something healthy before hitting the grocery, you're less likely to grab that bag of chips, because it puts you in a "healthier mindset", and therefore help you make better food choices.

5. Use your plates to trick your tummy. The Huffington Post reports that according to experts, if your plate color contrasts the color of your food, you will eat less. Eat off a blue plate, as most food are either brown, red, or green. Another visual trick: Use a small plate to make portions look larger. The Cornell Food and Brand Lab's Small Plate Movement said that a 10-inch plate can make you decrease portion size by 22% versus a 12-inch plate.