Great thread, folks. My wife recently found her jeans to be a bit too tight for her liking, so we are back on the South Beach diet, which I love. I can eat veggies until full and have a bit of protein mixed in. Not swearing off the carbs (beer is the bulk of those - trying to limit consumption during the week and I'm brewing low ABV/lower calorie brews), but avoiding excessive carbs between meals. I don't drink soda and haven't for years; I drink water like a camel heading out for a desert trek and have iced tea daily. I eat vegetables by the bowlful (nearly raw - just steamed usually).
Last time we went on South Beach, perhaps 2 years ago, I lost 20 pounds in a month and since then gained back around 5 lbs. So, if I can lose about 10 this time, I will consider it a victory. There is significant food prep time under this approach, but I always feel that the cravings stay away better under this "diet". I workout 5 days a week and have for years, but my weight has fluctuated more lately as I have entered my senior years.
Cheers to everyone seeking to improve your health through better eating choices.