Looking for a fairly painless way to drop about a dress size

[WordsAreNoUseAtAll]

My clothes are getting a bit tight (well, a lot - I can't do up some buttons), particularly around the belly, and I really want to avoid buying new ones.

The minute I decide I am on a diet I usually end up eating an entire chocolate cake, so I'd rather do it a bit more gradually. Is there a good book, or some good tips, on generally eating better and moving more without letting it take over?

Eat smaller portions at mealtimes, don't snack in between meals except on fruit/nuts, and do more exercise, eg get off the bus a few stops early, walk up and down the stairs at work instead of using the lift, stop drinking alcohol.

Stop drinking alcohol??? ARGH!

Tbh, I don't drink much, but a shandy in front of a box set can't be too bad, surely?

I thought that nuts were full of fat? Is dried fruit ok too?

I use www.myfitnesspal.com to log everything I eat - it's scary watching the calories add up! But brilliant too, and free to use, it's motivating.

Nuts full of fat but healthy limit to 25g a day.

Avoid dried fruit, stick to lower sugar fresh fruit (ie don't eat tropical fruit like mangoes or pineapple).

Log everything you eat on myfitnesspal.com

every time i want a snack (most of the time) i drink two cups of water instead. i've been spending so long on the loo that it's made me not want to snack anymore! plus my skin looks better.

brush your teeth straight after evening meal so that you won't snack late at night.
i've stuck an unflattering photo of myself on the biscuit tin too. not been doing this for long but it's been ok so far. good luck!