I used to be a terrible overeater. I've since gotten myself to a good maintenance level that keeps my weight in a healthy range, and it takes no time at all to get in summer shape when it's time to shed winter pounds, because all I have to do is exercise a little more. Here's what worked for me.

No more breakfast. It made me sleepy anyways. I kick the day off with a protein shake and a multivitamin. I use a caramel flavored powder and I mix it with espresso. Tastes like a nice coffee.

When I go to work I bring one oatmeal packet and one single serving bag of jerky. I drink a ton of water and walk a lot to stave off snacky moments, and if I'm stuck on a call and feel snacky that's what the oatmeal and jerky are for. Most days I get through without eating anything.

Dinner is whatever I want it to be, but only enough to fill one bowl or one plate. Again, drinking lots of water. I got a glass pitcher I keep in the fridge and I drop sliced fruit into it. Keeps me from drinking on work nights.

After dinner if I'm still hungry I'll eat berries and veggies. I like to dip my veggies in buttermilk ranch, it's better than eating raw broccoli by itself. I also east goat cheese with cranberries, it's very yummy.

I still eat sweets on occasion and drink on Friday nights, but I never have to worry about the 3 pounds I'll suddenly gain the next morning -- by Monday I'm back to baseline weight. Weekends are usually spent doing chores or completing my honey-do's, so I don't have time to think about snacking; by the time I'm done its dinner time and I'm still on schedule.

I started freezing my meats, too. It's real easy to make way too much and way way too much when you feel like you have to cook that whole 3 pound thing of chicken breast. By taking out enough for one meal for the two of us, and freezing the rest, I can be more deliberate about my dinner habit. Hard to run over and cook seconds when all the meat is frozen, better just snack on some greens.

Oh and metamucil. Scheduled poops are really nice and they help keep the weight off. At this point, I know I have exactly enough time after waking up to make coffee and warm up my fiancee's car before it's time to publish the Daily Planet.

One last thing is that I started challenging myself to spend as little as possible at the grocery store. Partly because everything is expensive now, but it's the thought that counts. When you pay for a week's worth of food for two and you spend less than 50 bucks, and it's all fresh food too, it's a good motivator. In return, it keeps the available snackage in the house low, so you can't overeat without inconveniencing yourself.