How would you like to lose weight, save money, save time, reduce the number of meals you cook, and not have to give up any of the foods you eat? Does this sound too good to be true? Well it’s not. There is a simple formula for this successful weight loss plan. Before I tell you what it is I must give you some background information.

Situation #1: Eating dinner at home.
Many people cook more food than necessary for a dinner meal; that is okay. The problem is that they eat all of it too. I have come across many clients that prepare their meals and place all of the food on the table in separate bowls or plates so that it is easy to serve everyone at once. Also, the sizes of the plates we use are too big! So if you fill up your plate with the food on the table and eat just that, you are overeating. On top of that, once you finish your delicious meal and the food is still sitting on the table, you crave seconds and serve yourself another plate of food. This is bad. Research has shown that it takes 20 minute to feel satiated from our meals. So you must give yourself time to digest your food before you even think about seconds.

Solution #1: Leave the prepared food in the pots you cooked them in on the stove AND use smaller plates.
This serves several purposes. First, if you keep extra the food away from the table you won’t crave them as much. Second, by using smaller plates you will put less food on the plate and subconsciously your mind thinks you are eating a full plate worth of food. Third, since you aren’t eating seconds you now have a leftover meal for another night; thus saving you time (from not having to prepare this meal) and money (because you don’t have to purchase another meal). This is a win-win solution.

Situation #2: Eating dinner out.
Everyone knows that the portion sizes that restaurants serve are way too big. On top of that, many people eat appetizers when they go out prior to this extra large meal. (Do you do this at home? Who snacks 5 minutes before a meal? This is a bad habit many people indulge in.)

Solution #2: Do not order appetizers and for your meal you can do 1 of 2 things: either order 1 meal and split it or order a child’s meal, they are much smaller.
This serves several purposes too. First, you are saving money and unnecessary bad calories by not getting your appetizer. Second, by splitting your meal or ordering a child’s portion you are reducing your portion size and reducing your costs. And lastly, you will actually be able to get up from the chair and not feel like you are about to explode. Try these tips and see how they work. This is another win-win solution.

Just by reducing your portion size you can and will lose weight; all while not giving up any of your favorite food. Good luck! Let me know how this turns out.