Hey!
Right there with you. Recently have put on 7 pounds and want to lose it so I can feel confident in all this lovely weather we are having!
I find what works for me is no snacking. Simply breakfast, lunch and dinner. Only water to drink - no juices, squash or alcohol.
I also stay away from fruit (mainly because I tend to have an oral reaction) but also because it is so high in sugar - even if its natural sugars. When people go on a health kick they often tend to eat a lotttt of fruit.
I would never say cut out a food group but just everything in moderation still!
Fruit is still high in sugar so having too much of it isn't a good idea. I like to think of it as nature's dessert!
Anyway, for me personally not having fruit has worked (or at least only having a little of it but again this is for allergy reasons!)
I'm a vegetarian so eat a lot of veg.
I would say don't restrict your calorie intake too much, especially as you are doing additional exercise.
Here is what I will be eating (and have eaten I lost a stone previously on it).
Breakfast: Marmite on toast / or weetabix (However I find toast strangely fills me up more and keeps me going for longer!)
Lunch: rice, Broccoli, peas / small veggie based meal.
Dinner: rice, brocolli, peas / Vegetable mash + peas/ or soup + bread / or a small veggie based meal.
If I really must have a snack then I have some greek yoghurt.
I stick to just having water and tea or coffee - but with skimmed milk.
Plus when you are having that craving for more food or a snack - go make a tea!
I replace butter with low calorie marg.
Ok so I wouldn't recommend this really. It's quite restrictive!
But it works for me because a) I can't cook and b) I'm boring and don't mind eating the same things.
I personally would stay away from protein powders. Really (and I know it's boring and gets said quite a lot)but you just need a healthy, balanced diet.
If you want to lose weight fast then just be super, super healthy - no snacks, no chocolate, no biscuits, no crisps, junk food, takeaway, chips at dinner - not saying you do this of course!
And finally, I would also just add that never get disheartened if the weight doesn't drop off quickly despite diet and exercise change.
For me personally, it takes time to see the results. But when I do, I know its worth it!
I have a super slow metabolism so I just have to power on through and keep going.