I found that drinking a lot of water each day, staying active and getting enough sleep keeps your body healthy and able to burn the excess calories. At one point in my life I was working in a warehouse loading up a truck with 45+ lb boxes all day, going to the gym in the morning and eating smaller meals throughout the day. Over 2-3 months of doing this my abs were visible and I felt a lot lighter and healthier but also pretty tired and my joints felt a bit shot.
Controlling your appetite with fillers like green tea or nuts is a good way and look for healthier options for your sugar cravings like fruits or honey based snacks. Sleeping will not only let your body heal but also keep your mind motivated to keep going at your routine rather than feeling lazy.
I have been off for sometime so I should take my own advice and get back into it.