Once you've decided to take the necessary steps to lose weight, it can seem like you're living with the weight of the world on your shoulders. You suddenly become swamped at work, your kids come home with book reports and have double soccer practice, and 10 million other things. It suddenly seems like you don't have the time to get to the gym or even eat healthy. Luckily, there are a few small changes that you can make to your everyday life that will help you get on the right track and start dropping those pounds.

Don't Skip Breakfast.

Your mom and dad probably always told you that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. Chances are, you didn't believe them. Research has shown that skipping breakfast can actually lead to weight gain, especially in the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Fruit smoothies and eggs are always excellent breakfast choices, but if you have time for something more elaborate, try some of these delicious recipes.

Stop Eating So Much Fast Food.

The same research from above always supports the fact that fast food can increase weight gain. Therefore, it is important that you focus more on home-cooked meals than driving through McDonald's when you're in a rush. This can be hard if you lead a busy lifestyle, but one way to get past this is to cook meals on the weekend and store them in the freezer for the week ahead. This way, all you have to do is put them in the fridge the night before to begin thawing out. Then, finish defrosting them and heat them up when you get home from work the next day.

Utilize Smaller Plates from Your Cupboards.

It is no secret that plate sizes and servings have increased over time. However, this doesn't mean that everyone needs to succumb to this. In fact, when you sit down to eat, opt for smaller-sized dinnerware. Try an eight-inch plate instead of a 12-inch plate. It will be easier to fill your plate without worrying about having any "white space" leftover and thinking that you need to fill it, and it will allow you to easily get smaller portions of food, which is a must when you're trying to drop a few pounds.

Eat a Small Snack Before Going Out to a Restaurant.

Unfortunately, restaurants will not have the same frame of mind when it comes to using smaller plates and smaller portions of food. So, if you are trying to diet, you will need to think ahead. The best thing you can to avoid overeating while at a restaurant is to eat a small snack prior to leaving the house. This can be a cup of Greek yogurt or even a medium-sized apple. Research shows that Greek yogurt can help reduce your food intake, increase satiety and even maintain blood sugar levels.

For more help on losing weight, contact a solo practitioner.