What works for me

What I do:

• Depending on my activity levels I eat between 1600-2000 calories a day for weight loss, and will be eating anywhere between 2000-2400 for maintenance. If I can eat that much and lose weight, why would I lower myself to that magic number 1200? Would just make me a hungry, cranky bitch.
• I don’t count every day anymore, perhaps once every other week just to make sure I’m still on track. I still measure out my portions and make guesstimates, but I’m not hung up on it.
• I stand by IIFYM - If It Fits Your Macros. If it’s within my caloric range and it fits into my daily goals of protein, fat and carbohydrates, then sweet. I will obviously try to aim for things that are less processed and more nutrient-dense, but I’m not entirely hung up about. 
• Eat everything in moderation. As just said, I don’t have the “perfect” diet. I eat everything I want - in moderation. If it fits within my macros and my nutrient targets, it’s fair game. In assessing what fits those I have changed my diet somewhat - it is definitely less crap, mostly just cutting out 2-minute noodles, the 1/4c soy sauce added to every meal, and just less processed shit in general - but it’s what I enjoy, not what I force myself to eat.
• I don’t change or cut out anything that I could stick to for the rest of my life.
• As a general rule, I do weight lifting predominantly (usually every other day), and add a small amount of cardio around that - usually 20min HIIT with a skipping rope. I believe in lifting heavy and turning myself into a she-hulk.
• Track my progress through fitness and measurements. I’ve got a fair long list of fitness goals to work on, and I find this is a more worthwhile thing to aim for than any weight. I think being able to lift heavy shit is a bit more practical!

What I don’t do:

• Low carb, low fat, vegetarian, vegan, raw, paleo etc. diets. Each to their own, but doesn’t do it for me. Fat and carbs are essential, I love meat and animal products too much. I couldn’t give up my poached eggs every morning.
• Undereat. I make sure I eat enough to keep me satisfied for my activity levels, and aim to never have a deficit greater than 500 calories. Because I’m already at a healthy weight it’s more around 200-300. It’s sustainable, I get the nutrients I need, keeps my body working well, my energy levels are up, and I don’t have to worry about gaining when I decide to stop being a muppet and eat properly - which is what happens when you’re a teenager sitting on a <= magical 1200 calorie diet. Truth.
• Be negative. You can hate on and abuse yourself and your body all you want, it’s not going to change it. I accept my body for what it is, and I love it. Sure, there’s a few niggly bits I’d like to change, and I’m working on it, but spending my time poking and prodding at these parts and saying how disgusting they are is not going to have any positive impact whatsoever. I despise negativity.
• Beat myself up if I cock up something eg drink ten beers instead of one, or miss a workout when I know that I should have done it, or have too much sodium, or have five slices of cake instead of one. I accept what has happened, and move on. Not the end of the world.
• Aim for a target weight. A range perhaps, but not one specifically. I have a reasonably muscular build, so I know I won’t have a ridiculously low weight. Besides, what use is it being a certain number? No-one can see that. It won’t magically make your life amazing when you reach it. Chances are you still won’t like the way you are when you get it, and so aim for a lower and more unhealthy weight.