No Depriving This Time

Every other time I have tried to lose weight, I have done the deprivation route to one extent or the other. There was always something I would not allow myself to have, and I have learned after many, (many,many)years, that this, at least for me, does not work! So now I do things differently.For instance, I know a lot of people feel they need to give up soda to lose weight. I only drink diet sodas, and now I drink much more water and tea, but I do not forbid myself to have soda. I always have some around, and basically only have one a day at the most,many days none at all, but I know as soon as I say I can't have ANY, I will start craving it more than ever, Snacks are another thing I have struggled with.My worst time of day used to be evenings, so I tried not eating after dinner, I tried not eating while watching tv. I tried everything, but what has worked best for me, is letting myself have snacks, just planning them ahead. I use small containers to pack them in, and I pack them up after dinner and take them in the livingroom with me. It might be fruit, it might be veggies and dip of some sort, or crackers with either peanut butter or cheese,or some tortilla chips and salsa, or even something sweet if that fits in with my calories for the day. Then I am all set for tv time, with something to look forward to, and I don't need to go back in the kitchen, and I track the snacks when I track dinner.This works for me during the week, and on the weekend I can be more flexible if we are doing something special,no deprivation, just planning.I think the whole idea is that I used to make things harder than they need to be and now I don't.