Weight loss accountability/support 2024 edition

I think of it in blocks:

Block 1 - Reset. Create routine, higher calorie deficit. This is probably boring meals and no cheating, no eating out/drinking. 6-8 weeks. Hopefully drop a decent few kg
Block 2 - Taper. Re-introduce some food which you like but cut out in Block 1 and try some more interesting meals - during first 6 weeks I'll usually think about these meals or things I've really craved. Weightloss wont be as dramatic but over period of time should still be losing weight. 3m.
Block 3 - Maintain. This is where I would have looked to shift the weigh, more focus on building muscle and in general maintaining. Looking at weekly calories rather than daily too much. Aim here is not to lose weight but keep it flat and form a pattern. 6m

This is a pretty much annual cycle for me (bc Christmas) but if you notice yourself slipping from the maintain block into a period of gain, then I'd look at restarting the process. If you can stick to it then the above doesn't have to be so militant. This year I maintained weight/fitness for 8m and only put some weight on at xmas so my work to get back to maintaining block should be quicker/easier.

I think its worth thinking about healthy eating and lower calorie eating as seperate things.
For healthy eating, variety is good, but variety is my enemy for sticking on diet.

A planned cheat meal is useful for damage limitation, and makes up for the boring eating during the week.

Rice is actually quite calorie dense for its volume, so you can eat through a greater volume of rice than noodles and pasta. Cook 100g of dry pasta, noodles and rice, and compare the size difference (can make a difference if your appetite is very visual)

Sometimes the boredom of the meal is tied with having to actually prepare the meal.
I've got a couple of mini cheat meals in the freezer which won't derail the diet due to not being excessive in calories, but something better than takeaway food.

Frozen portions of:
Korean Spicy Pork (700 caories with 80g of steamed rice)
Korean Bulgogi - (600 calories with 80g of steamed rice)
Pizza express sloppy giuseppe small pizza (656 calories)
Frozen ikea meatballs and hash browns (600 calories for 5 hashbrowns and 9 meatballs)

And some quick emergency comfort foods:

Nongshim Shin ramen - (600 calories with a poached egg and some added spring onions and dash of sesame oil)