When eating, try to focus on the food

Hardly any of us have what it takes to perform a full lifestyle makeover. But what about baby steps?

One step to try: When you're eating, don't do anything else. Sounds simple? Try it.

"Be aware of the fact that you're eating," advises dietitian Bethany Thayer, director of wellness programs and strategies for Detroit's Henry Ford Health System. "Pay attention to the food you're eating and the signals you're getting about your hunger level."

Need help focusing on your food? Try these tips:

• Don't eat while watching television.

• Don't eat while cruising the Internet.

• Don't eat while working at your desk.

• Don't eat while reading.

"Even when talking with friends, people are more likely to eat more," Thayer says.

That doesn't mean don't lunch with your pals or go out to dinner with friends. Rather, pay attention to what you're shoveling in.

"Focus on the food or focus on the conversation, but try not to do both at the same time," she cautions. That's when you lose track of your hunger level and start to ignore the fact that you're not hungry anymore.