Do not skip meals, do not eat large meals. Many small meals is best to satisfy hunger. Trying not to eat causes a crash in blood sugar that creates very strong cravings.

Try and avoid highly processed foods - especially sugars. This includes pastas, breads, soft drinks, etc. These foods stimulate appetite to a high degree. They're also addictive and you WILL feel good after eating and then you WILL feel like crap after the blood sugar goes down.

Eating is a replacement mechanism in many cases. I know that when I skip the gym for too many days, I tend to drop off my diet as well... and it is hard to get back on track. Both tend to be fill-ins for other needs in my life and you may want to see if you can recognize equally unsatistied situations in your own circumstances. If all else fails, exercise is a very good (though understandably difficult) habit to get into. Exercise in itself becomes addictive between natural (various) pain-killing, appetite-suppressing neurotransmitters. It also improves depression.

As of today I've lost a little under 140 pounds (started at approx. 400lbs) in just over 2 years. Nearly 1/3 of that time was straight Atkins approach (low carbs, 20 grams or less per day), the rest has been low carb with trips to the gym 4-5 days a week, 1 hour each visit.

I don't want to recommend a highly restrictive carbohydrate diet. For one it is not something everyone is comfortable with due to various health concerns, all I can say is that it has worked for me.

-C