I don't really diet, but I do watch my portion sizes. That's probably why my weight is pretty constant and I don't see fluctuations of more than 1-2 lbs. Slow and steady is the way to go.

I find that sitting down to eat everything helps to control snacking because it makes everything seem more like a meal. Also, I don't eat when I'm doing something else (watching TV, surfing the net etc.) because it's easy to lose track of what I eat due to the distraction.

Do reward yourself a little for doing well, but keep it all in moderation

There's a number of foods, generally sweet carbs, that I find difficult eating in moderation. I try to keep those out of the house. Quite a bit of junk food came home with me today from Trader Joe's; college freshman DD stuck them in the cart, and I fear she is on her way to the Freshman 15. I just bought her a larger suitcase, so it all should be out when she returns to school. Once I get started it is hard for me to stop, like I am in a carb coma or something -- so it is better not to get started.

I know I overeat when I get overly tired and/or overly hungry, so my New Year's resolution it to be very mindful of this and to try not to get too tired/hungry, or at least not overeat when this happens.

I try to go for quality rather than quantity. If it is not real butter why bother? I really dislike fast food because it never tastes as good as the promotional photos imply. Fake food never truly satisfies in the way that excellent food does.

For me, spandex DOES lie, so I need to weigh myself several times a week. I am now four or five pounds above my ideal so need to become more vigilant -- which is to say, "Do as I say, don't do what I do", lol! (I am short, so extra weight is more noticeable.)

I think everyone has techniques and ways that work best for them, but I am nodding along in agreement with the others who have said that deprivation is not a sustainable method for long-term weight management. I eat whatever I want. Period. But I try to be mindful of a) portion sizes, b) what I've been eating most recently, and c) how active I have been recently. I find that once I have a day or two of indulgence, I simply don't want to keep it up. Case in point: I'm on vacation, and two nights ago had my biggest dinner since Thankgiving, and yesterday had cookies and pizza. Today? Fruit and salad, and I started the day with a quick run.

As for exercise, I have found that the thing that keeps me moving is participating in events/races. As a new runner (started less than two years ago), I feel like the way to keep myself in the habit of running is to always be training. I sign up for at least a 5K or 10K every month or so, and at least one half marathon a year. That way I know I have to keep the habit of running 3-4 times a week.

All the same, I'd love to get another 5-10 pounds off, but I'm not fretting it. My body seems kinda stuck at this 140-ish mark, and it may just be that this is a set point that will take some work to overcome. Not sure if it means that much to me.

You have gotten lots of good advice. I've kept the weight off by committing to 40 minutes minimum of exercise a day, trying to get more by taking stairs, parking further out, etc. I've also cut back on portions, eat low carb ( modified South Beach), and try to eat slowly. By doing that I can be satisfied with 2or3 tiny bites of stuff I like but shouldn't have. Eventually small changes become routine. Like others I have the same breakfast every day and a very small lunch with 15 carb snacks in between. Dinner is 4 ounces of protein and lots of low carb veggies.

I think the short answer, in my case, would be: I don't.

I assume that the body changes over time. Even when my weight doesn't change, I find my shape can and thus the fit of garments is affected. Maybe I'm just an oddity?

Otherwise, I have many of the same strategies already mentioned, though I will say I'm actually not very good with 'good habits' alone --- I need it to be immediately rewarding in some way too.

For example, though overall I eat most like Denise (throw in a side of IK's processed carb avoidance), I find I am best off routinizing breakfast to 2-3 healthy choices each season. BUT, and this is crucial, I have to enjoy those 2-3 choices a lot, or I start craving a change. So I make my own muesli or granola tailored to my tastebuds, rely on eggs for a hot breakfast because I love them, and smoothies for summer. This is apparently my best bet for avoiding the lure of pancakes and traditional fried breads and things on a regular basis (I reserve those for travel and other times of day when I'm less vulnerable to 'lazy choices').

With exercise too, it has to be enjoyable even if it is a habit --- especially for a habit, or I won't stick with it. So a daily walk or swim is a habit, but I don't enjoy walking in wet weather or when it is excruciatingly hot and humid. For those days, there's music to motivate me, and maybe resorting to the treadmill in the gym to keep dry (and again, plug in the music). Finding a pleasant park to walk in goes a long way when I'm not in scenic surroundings.

And yes, I'm with Team 'Weigh Every Day'. I don't panic over the measurement, since I know what I ate, when I ate, the time of month all factor in. But it is motivation for declining the extra ice cream and choosing an espresso over a whipped-cream-topped confection.

Also, when I'm happy with my weight and shape, I reward myself --- not necessarily with food, but sometimes, yes, that too.

I also find avoiding boredom is a big one for me. Like Rachy's trigger is sitting down, I need to make sure I'm not bored --- especially not with food, or I'll try to eat more of it! So I make sure my meals are delicious. If I ate an unsatisfying meal, my chances of reaching for a treat to soothe the disappointment are a whole lot higher. Also, I NEVER tell myself I 'can't eat' X, Y or Z. Instead, I tell myself I do eat/love fresh fruit, salad, oatmeal with cinnamon on top, casseroles with half a dozen veggies, lentil soups...mmm! Focusing on the enjoyment of healthy food means I don't feel denied. Enjoying a pizza with friends means I don't stress about eating 'awful stuff' --- unless it tastes awful --- which in itself is a weight gain trigger.

This has been a VERY interesting thread, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. My take on this subject is that everyone is different, and that you have to listen to your body. It takes a while to find a groove that works for your body and mind.

Personally, my body cannot handle a large breakfast - and I don't enjoy brunch. For most though, breakfast is vital - for me it is not. I feel ill and awful after a large breakfast. I like to have a small sweet breakfast and a satisfying lunch. I also have to have a great dinner otherwise I feel under nourished. I snack in-between in order to keep up my reserves. I never skip a meal.

I find drinking lots of water extremely uncomfortable (bladder feels awful, tummy is bloated and I can feel nauseous too). Again, for most - the water drinking of lack of snacking is a must. It does not work for my body. That's what I meant by needing to listen to your body.

My weight does not fluctuate. The only reason I can think of for that is that my eating habits - and movement habits - are very routine. Like Denise, I eat whatever I want and do not diet. But I only eat when I am hungry, and stop when I start to feel full. I do not eat: mammals, coffee, alcohol, or anything "fake" as I call it - like eggs beaters or low fat cheese. I cook at home a lot so that we always have healthy and nutritious options in the fridge. But we also go out about twice a week because we enjoy eating out.

I'm not sure this has helped. There is SO much that can be said about this topic! I wish you the best of luck Kristen, and congrats on your weight loss