LPT: "going on a strict diet" is a short-term goal that is built to fail, eventually. If you go on a diet, eventually you get off the diet. If you truly want to maintain a healthy body weight, for life, then think about "limiting" or "minimizing" bad calories, rather than following strict guidelines

Make sure you eat light and healthily as often as you can, but don't worry if you cheat a little bit for whatever reason. You are less likely to give up completely if your guidelines are more flexible, because you never really failed your diet and therefore won't be discouraged. We all know what light and healthy means: natural proteins, veg, fruit etc while limiting sugary, salty, deep fried, and generally processed and unnatural foods. Get a general idea of your optimal daily caloric intake and get an idea of the value that different foods hold, and keep it in the back of your mind, but just eat clean most of the time and you'll be setting habits that--over time--will become a part of your lifestyle that you wont even have to think about, and you wont be "on a diet", you'll just be a healthier person. Think about your "diet" on a weekly basis, rather than a daily regimen. Pigged out yesterday? No problem, eat light and clean for the next day or two. Had steak Monday and a burger Tuesday? Have fish and broccoli Wednesday and chicken Thursday. Have yoghurt and coffee for breakfast. Fast until lunch. Or eat breakfast and skip lunch. Let yourself get hungry. Most importantly, just limit the salts and sugars and watch how much less you crave them over time. Obviously, this goes without mentioning physical activity; That's a given. This is how I've controlled my weight. I'd be happy to share more thoughts if anyone likes my philosophy.