Design elements: Getty Images.

To find out, we asked registered dietitians.

Heres their four-step game plan for success.

A woman walking outdoors holding a water bottle, wearing fitness attire, with trees and a bright background.

Photo:Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell design.

However,skimping on sleepcan derail your weight-loss goals.

Getting less than the recommended seven hours of sleep doesnt just leave you feeling groggy.

That resulted in a net surplus of 150 calories daily.

a side by side of EatingWell’s Chicken Fajita Salad, Sausage, Spinach & Mushroom Egg Bites, and Sheet-Pan Salmon with Crispy Quinoa

Over time, that can really add up!

Unfortunately, this can undermine weight loss, especially if it happens consistently.

This will help support your bodys natural signals that regulate hunger, metabolism and energy use, says Enright.

She recommends going to bed and waking up around the same time each day, even on weekends.

And if sleep still eludes you, theseexpert-proven tipscan help you get a better nights sleep.

Or, maybe your first stop after rolling out of bed is the coffee maker?

It can also do good things for weight loss.

Dont love plain room-temperature water?

Sip it warm with a squeeze of lemon or enjoy it ice-cold straight from the fridge.

Theres no wrong way to hydrate.

Eat a Protein-Rich Breakfast

We know youve heard it before, but breakfast is important!

But not just any breakfast.

If your go-to is a plain bagel or sugary cereal, it might be time for an upgrade.

Research consistently shows that ahigh-protein dietcan support weight loss by preventing overeating and late-night snacking.Why is it so effective?

It additionally plays a key role in preserving calorie-burning leanmuscle mass, adds Mitri.

That said, most of us dont eat nearly enough protein with breakfast.

She preps it the night before by tossing everything in the blender and storing it in the fridge.

Then, in the morning, she blends it for a meal thats ready in minutes.

These16 high-protein smoothieswill keep you full and energized all morning long.

Get Moving

Exercising in the morning helps with weight loss in multiple ways.

Morning workouts may have another benefit that has nothing to do with burning fat or calories.

Morning activity may also encourage weight loss by promoting more regular sleep.

If losing weight is a goal, dietitians recommend four specific steps.

The first is making sure youve gotten enough sleep.

So, go ahead and seize the day!

2020;48(4):201-208. doi:10.1249/JES.0000000000000226