Even if you don't want to join weightwatchers themselves, some of their principals will go a long way.

As already mentioned - drink the water
Keep a log of what you eat. This can be a real eye opener - expecially if you tend to snack between meals.
Choose whole grains.
Eat fruits and vegetables.
Cut back on fried foods.
Have the occasional treat so that you don't feel deprived - just keep the portion size more under control.
Learn about portion size - we've become so "supersized" that we forget what a real meal should look like.

Don't try to lose a bunch of weight in a short time. 1-2 pounds a week is more than enough.