The best way to exercise self-control is not to exercise it at all
A personal anecdote: I'm seriously obese and all diets and habitual changes to cut calorie intake failed except doing strict OMAD (one meal a day, 23:1).<p>For me dealing with food in just one (1) meal/sitting a day is way easier than cutting meal sizes and incredients 5+ times a day. I also "know" that I will be sated 1 time per day, so no prolonged hunger phase anxiety. "Opportunity makes the thief" so just limit the opportunities.<p>So to speak "marshmallows are secured" in any case, except that over time I learned that high carb foods/sweets will make me hungry much earlier again.<p>I'm sticking to this for 374 days as of today and lost ~44kgs/97lbs with regular medical support of my GP (recent blood work was really great).