I agree, this is the best way to do it. Another good tip kind of in that same vein is to find a better substitute for the things you love but are bad for you. And you don’t have to completely cut out all “bad” foods, just if you find you absolutely have to have something, and you can accept no subsitutions, then have it. But just a little bit. Just enough to satisfy the craving, but not enough for it to blow your diet. If you deny yourself all the things you love, you won’t be happy.

I used to be a soda and carb junkie. Food journaling as well has really helped me because it forces you to be accountable for what you eat. At the end of the day you can look at it and calculate your total calories. Then you can say either yeah I did good, I can do that again tommorow, or wow I was really bad today, what could I have done better?

Also, its very important to find an eating and exercise plan that fits in with your preferences and lifestyle. I always tried to do whatever diets my friends were doing. Then, I went to a doctor and she helped me figure out what I crave, and what type of diet works for me. In the end, we found my body just craves carbs all the time and it was one of the main culprits for my weight gain. So I just cut them back a bit. I didn’t cut them out completely, as I still love carbs and your body needs carbs to function, but I simply scaled it back to a moderate portion.

The doctor also showed me how to suppliment more protein into my diet as well as I was not getting enough of that. Overall, I like to think of it not as a diet but just as a new outlook on food. I still eat things I crave, but I don’t overdo it.

Remember, baby steps! You didn’t gain the weight over night, so you certainly won’t lose it over night. It takes time and patience. Good luck!