Drink water and lots of it. Try not to drink anything else and always keep a bottle of water with you.

Eat real food. Absolutely no processed foods. Want french fries? Slice a potato and bake it.

Do not cut any food group out of your diet. Carbs and fat are important to a healthy body. Just limit your fats and carbs to healthy ones. Eat complex carbs and healthy fats like omega-6 and omega-3. Try for very few saturated fats and absolutely no trans fat. less

Drink a lot of water...when I first started, I didn't like water; I was used to iced tea! Got used to it, drink it without thinking, now!

Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables...kinda obvious, I know, but try some steamed vegetables or something similar instead of another fatter food.

And don't deprive yourself! Having a treat once in a while is ok.
Diets are torture, or they can be. Just try to eat better and don't fixate on calories...that's MY opinion, anyway! I USED to do that...again, torture!
Good luck! less

Agreed. Water is key! I also try to give myself one day to eat what I want, it makes the rest of the days easier. If I'm feeling tempted I just tell myself "If you get through today, you can eat it tomorrow" and then the next day I say the same thing.

Also I like to put music on and dance around by myself for half hour to an hour every day. Dancing is a fun way to get yourself in shape without realizing it! less

Use smaller bowls. Invite yourself to have as many seconds as you want, but don't pile an unknown amount of food on your plate and then feel like you have to eat it all.

For me, cutting out meat worked. I'm not hardcore vegetarian, but it really cut down saturated fats and made me include more veggies. Cutting out bread-type carbs really works, too. Soups have always helped me feel like I'm eating a meal that makes me full because it's hot and fills my stomach with more water-based volume.

Instead of packing a sandwich for lunch, I pack a bunch fruits you can hold in your hand and don't need tupperware -- oranges, apples, bananas. Squares of dark chocolate, hot tea or chewing gum for snacks during the day is my best trick.

It really depends on what works for you. I believe in you! Feel free to experiment, and don't ever feel like you failed. It's because that method wasn't working for you, not the other way around. less

Be active. Get 30-60 minutes of exercise 3 or 4 times a week. Walking is fine, but walk with a purpose.

Plan each meal before you eat. Put a sensible amount of food on your plate and eat as much of it as you want. If you're still hungry, eat as many raw fruits and veggies as you want for "seconds".

Drink a half gallon or more of water every day. Get enough sleep every night. Meditate, or do some other relaxation exercise at least 3 times a week. Stretch at least a couple of times a week.

Most important — learn to relax about weight. If you're active, and eat healthy (etc), you'll be healthy and happy. That's what's important. less