Day 13: Drink Water Before a Big Meal

Much like the gas tank in your car, your stomach has sensors that alert you when it’s full. But unlike your car, you can trip those sensors with anything, including water. Use that to your advantage to promote weight loss, suggest British researchers reporting in the journal Obesity. In their study, participants who knocked back 12 ounces of H₂O prior to eating lost significantly more weight after three months than those who didn’t. If that isn’t reason enough to stay hydrated, consider this: You burn two percent fewer calories per day when you aren’t, according to another study at the University of Utah.

For more 31 Days of Fitness tips, check here for a new one every day in December.