If you can't get a small plate (if you're in a restaurant, or for whatever reason), it's still useful to be aware of the size of the plate and the way it masks the large amount of food you've been served, so you can eat the right portion size anyway.

Last year I started to really focus on eating only until I felt full, even if there was still food left on the plate. It worked to help me lose some weight, and I'm also saving money -- instead of sandwich for lunch and snack in late afternoon, I eat 1/2 sandwich at lunch and other half in late p.m., so I'm not buying snacks anymore. I'm eating less for dinner too.

When I had to buy a new refrigerator last year, I was amazed at all of the gigantor models they had in the stores. When I was growing up there were 8 people living in our house (2 parents, 5 kids, 1 grandma) and we got by with a fridge that would be considered on the small side today.