I've lost over 50 pounds since November (starting at 250) doing absolutely no exercise, just simply counting my calories. My personal technique was to use an free iPhone app called "LoseIt!". Given your size and weight loss plan, it gives you a daily calorie budget. If it goes in my mouth, I enter it into the app, as I'm eating. I found that as long as I keep under my budget, I lose weight. I don't restrict myself from any particular foods, I just make sure I'm not eating more than I should. It has really been effortless, and I say that as someone who has a history of failed, flailing diet and exercise programs.

So I'm a big believer in data collection. If you write down what you're eating, religiously, everything else will follow. You can't fool yourself if the data is in front of you in black and white.