One thing I've found over the last year, being generally successful, is to keep track of everything on Fitness pal and stay within my limits six days a week. One day, I go over a BIT and eat something fun in limited quantities...like pizza...nachos etc. I STILL track that so I can see the implications of that food. Then once a month I eat dessert...anything I want. It helps to know that I can actually go a month without sugar and its also good to know that I CAN have a yummy dessert once in awhile. I try to plan that around dinner parties or celebrations so I don't feel deprived. Again, it needs to be a way of life. For me it was partially finding out I was diabetic. It gave me that kick in the butt. But after a year, of avoiding white foods...my doctor said I must be doing SOMETHING right because she said really...with these results, I'm not in the diabetic range anymore...