Losing weight and eating healthier are two of the most common New Year’s resolutions people make every year.

But they’re also two resolutions that are easy to lose sight of: living a healthy lifestyle takes work, time and effort.

UF Health Jacksonville’s Corporate Wellness team, which offers free health-related seminars to employees each month, has some advice that can help you stay on track.

Here are tips on becoming a “mindful” eater rather than a “mindless” eater, courtesy of corporate wellness dietitian Sally Young and former dietetic intern Lewis Martin.

1. It’s not just what you eat, it’s how you eat it. Turn off all those electronic devices and take time to savor and enjoy meals, giving the food your attention while you eat. This gives you the ability to differentiate between physical satisfaction and fullness.

2. Pay attention to your hunger level. Measure your hunger on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 representing an empty stomach and 10 representing a stomach so full that you are sick. Never let yourself drop to a 2 or below – overly hungry – because you’re more likely to overeat. On the other end, don’t eat until you’re full and feeling guilty. Eat just until you’re satisfied.

3. Plan ahead. If you already know what you’re going to eat each day, it will be easier to eliminate foods that don’t fit into your plan. Put your snack foods in locations that are not easily available at home to give yourself time to think about whether you’re truly hungry before you eat them.

4. Slow down. Don’t eat on the go, in a hurry. It takes us 20 minutes to sense that we’re satisfied. Eat at a slower pace so your brain has time to “read” your stomach and realize when you’re full.

5. Make each meal and snack “count.” Drink plenty of water, and include high fiber foods in all of your meals. This will help control your hunger and keep you full and satisfied longer.