Cobster pretty much has it right but I'll my two cents worth.
What you want to do to lose weight is burn fat. I know that sounds simple but in order to burn fat you need to reduce your sugar intake, and that includes the foods that your body converts to sugar. So, the trick to burning fat is not having your body constantly using sugar for energy.
If you want to see amazing results, try sticking to this list foods for 30 days. http://paleodietlifestyle.com/paleo-diet-food-list/ There's plenty of good things to eat on that list and you don't have to count calories. Just eat a balance of meat, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Weigh yourself once in the morning then 30 days later. If you stick to it, you'll be amazed at the results. If you combine exercise with these foods, you'll lose even more.
The key is to not have any sugar, pop, fruit juice, energy drinks, wheat (pizza, pasta), rice, corn or potatoes. Also avoid alcohol.
That list also contains things to snack onto snack on so you don't have to be hungry. If possible, eat several smaller meals throughout the day and nothing after 9:00 PM.
It can be difficult to stick to that list of foods is if you're on the road. Fast food joints almost always have carbs (wheat, rice, potatoes etc.) unless you can find a place that has a grilled chicken salad. Leave out the croutons and skip the dressing loaded with sugar.
If there's one thing that overweight people typically do is eat some form of wheat, rice or potatoes with every meal. Then they snack on things containing the same ingredients and wash it down with something containing sugar.
The key here is to stick to it. Once your body is no longer burning the sugar you were constantly eating, it starts burning fat and using that for energy. You'll notice it works like magic.
Try almond butter, even better than peanut butter.
