By Sandy Braz

1. Sleep in.
A good portion of your fat fighting happens while you’re sleeping. According to research presented at the American Thoracic Society’s International Conference in 2009, leptin – the hormone that keeps you feeling satiated – is reduced when you’re low on rest, which could have you reaching for unplanned snacks throughout the day.

What to do:
Experts say to sleep for a minimum of seven hours each night. Try scheduling sleep like you schedule a meal or workout – write your bedtime down and stick to it.

2. Be mindful.
The August 2009 issue of Oxygen featured an article called “Think Yourself Strong and Lean,” which outlined the importance of the mind-to-muscle connection. According to recent research, being mindful when eating can help you shed pounds.

What to do:
The August 2009 edition of the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource reports that remaining mindful as you eat – such as chewing slowly to savor the taste and texture of your meal – can help you feel satiated longer, helping to reduce the need to reach for empty calories later on. For tips and ideas, pick up any issue of Oxygen.

3. Hydrate.
Studies show that drinking water first thing in the morning can help kickstart your metabolism and turn on your fat-burning engines.

What to do:
Grab a glass of water before bed and have it sitting on your nightstand so you can hydrate your body first thing in the morning before you get busy preparing for your day.