Davef gave you some incredible advice. If you feel deprived, you won't continue with your new way of eating for very long.
My husband and I have changed our way of eating dramatically the past few years. I have not given up everything, but portion control is HUGE. When you read labels, also remember serving size. I used to eat cereal with a banana for breakfast. That didn't seems so bad. Then I realized the cereal I was eating was considering 1/2 cut as a serving.
Then when I added my banana in, I was eating two breakfasts. A serving size for a banana is 1/2 of a banana. I found a different cereal that would let me eat 1 cup for the same amount of carbs and calories, switched to low fat milk and decided on berries instead of banana.
Lunches now consist of left over chicken from the night before chopped up and put in a whole grain bread sandwich with avocado and romaine lettuce.
When I go to a party and there is a lot of bad food sitting around (Kentucky fried chicken and cupcakes) I can easily look at that food and feel bad for the people that are eating it. If you are really hungry and find yourself in the situation. Take a piece of chicken, remove the fried part and eat it. Skip the fatty/sugary cupcakes or take the frosting off and eat a small piece so you don't feel deprived. Make up for it at your next meal by eating much healthier.
Once in awhile you can splurge and just eat what you want. Just remember you have to pay back those calories and exercise after you do.
Don't look at your life as "dieting". It is living a healthy lifestyle and be a great inspiration to your kids and husband. Start making him eat healthy like yourself. His arteries and heart are important also. Teach your kids early that junk food is not a reward.
If you can't go see a dietitian, come here and chat with others. Lots of people here are very successful with changing their diets. Some have been to dietitians and they can pass on their advice to you. GOOD LUCK
