How do you diet?

i've only ever seriously dieted once in my life. i counted calories and chose to get most of my calories from protein sources and vegetables. very little carbs and no calories from drinking, except milk and a small amount of juice. it worked and by the time i was where i wanted to be, eating that way was a habit, only now i could have a bit more calories in order to maintain and no longer lose weight. it put me back in touch with true hunger. i let myself get truly hungry before eating now, instead of eating on a schedule or preventing hunger from setting in. i also no longer skip breakfast. ironically, but not really irony; it's science, you need to have fuel to burn fuel. just like they say, it's a lifestyle.