My big revelation is that weight loss and maintenance requires the exercise of habits that can be strengthened in the same way you build up a bicep or aerobic capacity.
In 2008 I moved to the top of a hill that meant every bike ride home involved a 3/4 mile ride up a hill that hit 12% at points. See slope:
At first, this was a pain, but over time it became a non-issue.
So applying this to eating habits I do stuff like "no food after 7:00 pm" ... or going to a party and not eating anything just for the discipline. Strengthening these habits seems to make losing weight easier.