How to stop falling off the wagon?

Boy, I can relate to you! I struggled with obesity since my teens. By the time I was 38 I hit my highest point of 332 lbs (actually a low point). My doctor scolded me, my life insurance rates skyrocketed, my knees and feet always hurt, and I knew it had to stop! I was probably eating 3000+ calories a day.

I started tracking my calories and walking every day. I have now lost 106 lbs in 2 years and have 25 to go to reach my goal. It hasn't been easy and there have been some frustrations and setback in this long haul journey. I understand your struggle and would love to help encourage and motivate you! Feel free to send me a buddy request and we can walk this road together!

I've been there! I'd gain and lose the same 5 pounds for YEARS. I'm not a pro, so I can only offer you what has been working for me.

1) Baby steps.
Smaller changes are easier to stick to than massive changes. Once a small change has been made a habit, add to it.

2) Log your food and LOOK AT YOUR MACROS. (calories, protein, fat, etc)
I noticed after logging for a couple of weeks, I wasn't eating anywhere near enough protein! I made sure to eat my protein goal the next week and was amazed at how much less hungry I was! I would frequently be hungry even after meals before that.

3) Goofing up is inevitable.
Learn to forgive yourself and focus on getting "back on the wagon." We're only human!

4) If you're an emotional eater, identify what triggers you.
This has been a bear for me, personally. Boredom and dealing with certain toxic people in my life are my biggest emotional eating triggers. I try to keep myself distracted to fend off the boredom. I've also drastically cut down how much I interact with said toxic people.

5) Be honest when you log your food!

Hope this helps!

Caracrafword1 is right, it's a scientific fact that obese people have a neurochemical imbalance that forces them to overeat. If you search for "dopamine receptors" and "obesity" you'll find everything explained. This page sums it up in plain language http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117654
Since I was a child and until recently I had exactly the same problem of yours and I finally solved it when my doctor told me about those researches on dopamine. He told me to try tyrosine which is a food substance that our brain needs to make dopamine, and once dopamine is raised cravings disappear and compulsive eating stops. Tyrosine must not be confused with thyroxine which is the thyroid hormone and is sold as a prescription drug, whereas tyrosine is an aminoacid and it's widely available as a food supplement . Tyrosine has no stimulant properties unless dosage is too high. Most brands, possibly all of them, sell tyrosine in 500mg capsules which in my experience is too much, at least at the beginning, and it may cause an effect similar to too much caffeine. Half a capsule twice a day worked very well for me during the first two-three weeks, then I upped the dosage to one 500mg capsule twice a day. In order to be effective tyrosine must be always taken on an empty stomach but with something sugary (I take it with a cup of tea) because sugar, real sugar not artificial sweeteners, triggers insuline release which lowers competing aminoacids. These competing aminoacids are the reason why tyrosine must be taken as a supplement despite its abudance in protein food. Proteins contain 21 aminoacids, not just tyrosine, and that limits its absorption.
I used to be an overeater with incontrollable cravings who spent decades trying to lose weight to no avail. With tyrosine the situation changed overnight and I'm not exaggerating. The effect can be noticed the very first day, a few hours after the first dose. Week after week its effect grows stronger and stronger, and sticking to a diet will be extremely easy. Start in the morning and take the second dose at least half an hour before lunch always with something sugary. It's not advisable to take it in the evening because it may interfere with sleep.

Easy Portion control:
I just stashed all the large bowls in the back of the cupboard. Going to use those restaurant soup cups for serving size control. They hold about a third as much.

You must walk ahead of yourself mentally at times, look back to see the way that habits formed, and make the way easier for yourself, remove obstacles in your way. Big bowls beg to be filled to the brim. Smaller utensils seem to help as well. Never use big spoons!

How do you change your mind set after so many years of being one way? How do you tell yourself to just stop and actually do it? How do you stop yourself from eating when you're not even hungry?

Couldn't have asked the question any better. I'm 48 and have needed to loose anywhere from 75 to 100 lbs since I was in my early 20's. Really don't want to face being 50 and still struggling with the same ole issues.

I have enjoyed the answers given so far. Lots of good advice on this board I've found out.

Add me if you want and we can support, encourage, and help each other.

Make it as easy as possible by having a modest deficit. half a pound per week is 26 lbs at the end of the year and 1 pound per week is 52 lbs.