Try going to Tools > Options > Save (Tab) and unticking any of the Embed options - that'll help stop word adding to the size. And, if you are adding any images, don't forget to compress and remove any cropped area before converting! Insert image, then right-click image > Format Picture > Picture (tab) > Compress > All Pictures in document (making sure that [Delete cropped areas of pictures] is ticked.
As they say - Every Little Helps! ;-)


Also - which program are you using to convert to *.pdf? maybe there are some settings in there that could be altered to help reduce size, too!

Try googling [size+reduce+**APP NAME**] too see if others have looked for this!

p.s. - if you do find anything, please post back here for everyone's benefit, thanks! :-)