Diets don't work for me. The issue is they give quick short term weight loss but cannot be sustained. I think working out regularly and eating balanced meals daily is key for me. That includes lean meat, non starchy vegetables, some fruits and nuts (good omega oils). Interestingly, I have noticed changes to my body shape and clothes I wear but have not changed much weight. Two years ago I was 180 lbs and body fat of 23%. Today I am 176 and body fat of 16.8%. So I have been leaning out over time and cutting my body fat. Muscle is heavier than fat which explains why I have not dropped a lot of weight. This resonates with a lot of the discussion points I have read in this thread.