When we discovered an expert on emotional eating (we all do it) who specializes in helping “smart busy women” (hey, those are our peeps!) we knew we had to get her to guest blog for SqueezeItIn.com and share her absolute best tips for squeezing in good nutrition.

Luckily for us, she agreed!  Here’s the first of four top notch posts that will change the way you look at food and the way you look in the mirror forever!  Thanks Melissa!

Squeezing in EASY Weight Loss

by Dr. Melissa McCreery

What if you could lose 18 pounds this year by making one small change?

Our eating (and overeating) is influenced by many cues that are unrelated to how much food we really need to feel satisfied. Packaging and other related factors have a big effect on how much we actually eat. Did you know that fifty percent of the snack food bought in bulk (such as from your local warehouse club) is eaten within six days of purchase?  We tend to finish what we have in front of us (regardless of the size of the portion). Are those huge bags of chips still looking like such a good deal?

Here’s another tip that can have a huge impact on your “bottom line.”

Have you noticed how much bigger dinnerware has become? We tend to fill the real estate on our plates rather than actually making a conscious decision about how much food we need to fuel ourselves. And once the food is on the plate, we’re a lot more likely to eat it.

How big are the plates in your kitchen? If you are eating from oversized plates, one simple change could lead to impressive (and lasting) results. Researchers have found that on average, downsizing from a 12-inch to a 10-inch dinner plate results in people serving themselves an average of 22% fewer calories. Since we tend to eat most of what we serve ourselves, this one small change could result in a painless weight loss of 18 lbs a year for an average size adult. How’s that for painless weight loss?

Psychologist and Emotional Eating and Overwhelm Eliminator Dr. Melissa McCreery helps smart busy women get to the root of overwhelm and overeating so that they can create the changes they want and the lives that they crave. Download her free audios: 5 Simple Steps to Move Beyond Overwhelm with Food and Life at http://TooMuchOnHerPlate.com

Want to hear more from Dr. McCreery?

Brigette & Jenny of SqueezeItIn.com will be her guests on a free TooMuchOnHerPlate.com Teleseminar on May 5 at 6pm EST. Join us to learn about making fitness fit at the office and on the road.  Click here to sign up and learn more.

Please note: The information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for the advice or treatment given by your doctor or dietitian. Please consult with a registered dietitian or your doctor if you have any questions about the information in this post.