Eat the things you like, but eat a little less. Any diet that deprives you of the things you like to eat is probably a diet you won’t be happy with and won’t stick with for long. Eat what you like, but eat a little less than usual. Reducing portion size can cut your total calorie count substantially and is a key to trimming down and then maintaining a healthy weight.

There’s no reason to limit your diet to fish and chicken. Lean beef has about the same calories and if beef is what you like that is what you should eat. Just eat 2-4 forkfuls less than what you’re used to and you’ll probably reduce your calories to about the same as the “diet food” you hate. And if you like mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert go right ahead. Have half a scoop, save the rest of the pint for tomorrow – and then get off your butt and take a walk!