In reply to elliot.baker:
> I've tried reading a book on nutrition for endurance athletes (recommended from on here, it was great and had lots of tips but they just aren't sticking with me). Tried reading tips online... not getting anywhere though.
> Am I missing anything terribly obvious? Other than "don't buy crap at the shops in the first place?", "fill up with water" etc. etc. My will-power is so weak if I didn't have anything in I'd probably just make flapjack or somsomething
You are trying to ride two horses here; losing fat and undertaking a 'proper' fitness plan. The two overlap, but losing fat doesn't need a 'proper' running plan and a 'proper' running plan absolutely needs fuelling with proper nutrition.
Losing fat requires a calorie deficit but calorie counting isn't necessarily the best way to reduce calorie intake.
My advice is a Targeted Ketogenic Diet - low carb & higher fat on a rest day, and high carb low fat on a training day (you MUST fuel your training).
Aim for about 2g protein per kg of lean bodymass ,(pilchards, 0% fat cottage cheese, steak, 0% fat greek yogurt, chicken, tuna, sardines, eggs).
For the rest of your diet, as others have suggested, eat simple foods (rice, potatoes), and plenty of salad and veg (ad libitum, unless it's avocado or similar calorie dense food).
Avoid sugary crap like cereal. Watch fruit portions if eating bananas or pineapple, in particular.
Keep off the scales and judge results by fitting of clothes.
Post edited at 17:06