Aside from writing everything down, my number one trick is PERSISTENCE. It helps if you're extremely stubborn and competitive like I am. But honestly, the trick is to KEEP GOING NO MATTER WHAT. No matter how discouraged you get, no matter how many plateaus you go through, no matter how much weight you gain back.
My second trick is PATIENCE. We are a society that wants instant results and gratification. Not only is it unhealthy to lose weight quickly, but it also is the least effective way to keep it off. Losing weight slowly means you literally change your way of life. The true meaning of the word "diet" does not mean "a temporary healthy way to eat to lose weight and then drop when you get to your goal weight." All it means is "way of eating," and that's what you have to develop. But in order to do that effectively, like all habits, they take a while to form.
I know this is easier said than done. So if any of you need encouragement, let me know. I've lost over 60 pounds and I'm still losing, but VERY SLOWLY. It took me TWO YEARS to get to where I am. I'm not going to lie to you. I have often felt like giving up and saying "fuck it." So how do you get through that? Allow yourself to feel the emotion. Don't shove it down because it will manifest in ways that are unhealthy like binge eating. Acknowledge it, say, "Yes this sucks, AND I'm not giving up."
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My second trick is PATIENCE. We are a society that wants instant results and gratification. Not only is it unhealthy to lose weight quickly, but it also is the least effective way to keep it off. Losing weight slowly means you literally change your way of life. The true meaning of the word "diet" does not mean "a temporary healthy way to eat to lose weight and then drop when you get to your goal weight." All it means is "way of eating," and that's what you have to develop. But in order to do that effectively, like all habits, they take a while to form.
I know this is easier said than done. So if any of you need encouragement, let me know. I've lost over 60 pounds and I'm still losing, but VERY SLOWLY. It took me TWO YEARS to get to where I am. I'm not going to lie to you. I have often felt like giving up and saying "fuck it." So how do you get through that? Allow yourself to feel the emotion. Don't shove it down because it will manifest in ways that are unhealthy like binge eating. Acknowledge it, say, "Yes this sucks, AND I'm not giving up."
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Never give up! Persistence, determination, stubbornness, patience, call it whatever we like, but just never, ever give up! Well done Urbangirl on losing 60lbs & being so persistent! 
Cheers, Cate