text: Count your calories. Yes, it sounds old fashioned, but that really is the best way. Remember what a calorie is--energy! Measure the energy in and make sure that the energy that goes out is higher. For me, about 1900 calories a day is maintenance weight, meaning that the calories in=calories out. My dieting calorie count is 1500. You need to have a daily calorie target, but you can be slightly over or under each day. Small fluctuations don't hurt anything. For me, I always craved a beer, a glass of wine, and/or a snack about 9 PM. Now, I have just one of those things, and that's the only thing (with calories) I eat or drink after dinner. Drink lots of water, eat breakfast, and watch your portion control! Make sure that you eat a balanced diet--the food you eat needs to count nutritionally.