Take time to evaluate not only what you eat, but also how you eat it. When you sit down to a meal, do you rush through, gobbling as you go, without stopping for a breath? Take a look at your plate-- is it a dinner-sized one, overflowing with food? Smaller portions are the key to weight loss, but if you think you'll miss the extra calories, think again. There are tricks you can use to make yourself feel fuller, faster. Try filling a smaller plate with lots of vegetables, a bit of carbohydrate and a portion of meat the size of a deck of cards. Savor every bite and eat slowly. Digestion takes time. You may keep on eating because you still feel hungry. By taking it slow and steady, the body has time to realize it's full. This usually takes about 20 minutes -- so pace yourself.
Never eat while standing. Make the meal your main focus. Instead of eating at record-setting speed, take it slow. You'll be less likely to go back for seconds when you already feel full. It's no secret that restaurants plate up too much food. Instead of gobbling down that bellybuster as soon as it hits the table, have half of it wrapped up to go before you even begin. You're certainly paying enough to eat it, so enjoy it and enjoy the company in which you eat. You'll avoid that sluggish, uncomfortable feeling as you stagger out of the restaurant and enjoy the lighter side of eating.