- the ice cream or whatever, but I say that my willpower is what keeps me from bringing it into the house to begin with. If I really want it, I'll get off my butt and go to the store
- Exercise and burn more than you consume. It is not rocket science.
- Just adding my two cents with what's worked for me (full disclosure: I am vegan).
Try to just add a salad to lunch and/or dinner every day. Preferably, eat the salad before the main course -- it'll fill ya up and keep your digestion nice and good! Obviously, don't drown it in Ranch dressing, but whatever dressing you like will be the difference between you sticking with this and not.
Reflect a bit on what times/days you are most tempted to buy convenience food and crave crap. Think about what bad things you like most, and substitute with better alternatives. Hedge your impulse food buys (if you have them to, like, Burger King or something) by stocking similar things at home that are better for you. Like, sweet potato fries (baked) instead of McDonald's french fries. Or if you love salty foods (like me!!!) keep olives and lower-fat cheese spreads around instead of going and buying a bunch of potato chips.
Drink a lot of water! If you just eat too much, but there are no real cravings, sometimes (so I've heard) our hungry/thirsty signals get mixed up.
Switch out white flours/white carbs with whole grain (not just whole wheat) pastas, rice, bread, etc. If you like to bake, consider replacing half white flour with wheat flour.
Don't go on a set diet that plans all your meals for you, etc, especially if you really love to cook! Like, Jenny Craig I think delivers meals to your house, which is cool if you DON'T like to cook, but if you're going to eat that then cook something anyway and eat it, that's extra calories. But if you like the convenience, it may be an option I guess!
Cut out sodas. This kills me, but they are just terrible for you. Limit it to one soda per week and not only will you lose weight, but it will change your taste buds to not be so sugar-overloaded and therefore less sweet things will taste sweeter. Also, maybe replace sodas with fresh juices (100%!). I have to have a small cup of juice every morning because I love juice, so I just have carrot or orange that's 100% juice, or get a juice, and it's better than having soda later for sure!
Double your veggie portion -- in addition to eating a salad, if you can, take twice as many veggies.
Since you like the fatty foods, like you mentioned, and you're trying out new recipes, maybe cut recipes in half or something as well?
Eat at the same time every day, every few hours to prevent dips in blood sugar
Eat lots of fiber and veggies
Exercise-- walking is fantastic, and you can go faster, farther, and uphill as your strength and endurance increase
Drink lots of water
Don't drink your calories
Find a standard breakfast and lunch that you can rely on daily, then branch out at dinner
Allow yourself an occasional treat, but don't waste it on junk (a piece of good chocolate, rather than a Hostess cupcake or three, for instance)
Don't keep junk in the house. My husband complains because I don't have the willpower to not eat