Need an easy diet plan? Why not get a head start on the New Year with a well-balanced lifestyle without sacrificing too much of your precious time or the foods you love?

The key to a healthier and happier year – and you – lies in making smarter, more positive choices.

Here are a few simple tips that can deliver amazing results, and make this year your best ever!

Change up your routine The New Year is an opportunity to put a new twist on your fitness routine. The colder months mean more indoor gym time, but also an opportunity for some winter activities.

So instead of hitting the yoga mat or punching bag three times a week, try Pilates one day, ice-skating or skiing the next, and then a day of circuit training. Mix it up!

Listen to your body Today’s hectic lifestyles and large portions often mean we end up eating too quickly – and too much. Next time you find yourself eating against the clock, slow down and pay attention to how you feel after each bite.

Research shows that eating slowly may lead to eating less food, which leads to consuming fewer calories. If your goal is weight loss, this calorie deficit is obviously important.

Watch the trans fats Partially hydrogenated oils are found in many fast foods, as well as processed chips, cookies, and crackers.

These trans fats, or “bad fats,” may extend a product’s shelf life, but since they are linked to serious health problems such as heart disease and obesity, they may decrease your shelf life. Check the label – and drive by the drive thru.

Pile on the whole foods Whole foods are edibles that have not been processed, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, brown rice, fish and lean proteins.

Not only are whole foods easier for your body to digest, they often pack more fiber, “good fats” and vitamins. Many whole foods also fill you up faster, helping you to put down the fork sooner.