4. Cut it in half. It's a restaurant's job to give you more food than you need, so be prepared to leave leftovers on your plate or take them home. Try eating only half to two-thirds of what you're served (depending on how hungry you are). At that point, you'll probably be full and won't feel the need to continue eating. But don't feel guilty when you do clean your plate. It's not the end of the world.

5. Put space between you and temptation. It's never easy to stop eating when you have plates of leftover food in front of you. If dinner is over, clear the plates away from the table before you allow yourself to start picking. If you're done eating before everyone else, try to position the food you're most likely to crave as far away from you as possible. When indulging in an after-dinner treat, scoop out a small serving and leave the kitchen before you sit down to eat it. Never devour ice cream directly from the pint!

6. Don't sip your calories. A sugary sports drink, a sparkling "natural" fruit soda, a giant latte and an appletini are all packed with extra calories. When you're trying to drop a few pounds, go easy on the drinks. Choose flat or sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon, regular coffee with milk, or wine instead of a fruity, fancy cocktail. Drink your wine slowly, savoring each sip, and stay away from beer.

7. Get your fruits and veggies. At every meal, have some fresh fruit and vegetables, which are full of nutrients and extremely filling because they have lots of water and fiber. They also taste darn good, so enjoy them often!