I did the same a few years back. Lost 50 pounds in 5 months by not drinking calories, not snacking, and stopping eating when full. I still eat shitty food on occasion, just less of it, but most of it is just portion control. No harsh diet means no pendulum swing in behavior, I've kept the weight off. If I can do it in my 40s, these whining twenty somethings have no excuse whatsoever.