Tips

Overall 

• Understand that this is a lifestyle, not something you do when you feel like it. Make a commitment to yourself!
• Be realistic with your goals
• Eat within one hour of waking up
• Drink lots of water and tea (no sugar)
• Limit alcohol intake or cut it out completely if you can
• Eat ever 3-4 hours .. this means even when you are not hungry. This is key to kicking you you metabolism. Your body needs fuel :)
• Measure or weigh everything you eat
• Log your food (you'll be surprised how many calories seemingly "healthy" foods have)
• Don't let one slip up derail you
• When you are trying to slim down there are no cheat days! You get cheat meals once you've reached your goal :)
• Hit your calories regardless of how much you work out that day
• Buy a new outfit and shoes .. it'll motivate you to hit the gym
• Make smart decisions during happy hour

Food

• Make sure to read ingredients and check labels
• When buying whole wheat make sure that the product uses STONE GROUND WHOLE WHEAT or WHOLE WHEAT not ENRICHED WHOLE WHEAT as that is essentially the same as white flour.