I drink the ice water for I read the body burns more calories processing ice water than regular water. And it helps me to avoid the temptation to down a soda.
On sodas - bad habits take a long time to break - I avoid all caffeinated sodas, and drink no diet ones because of both saccharine and aspertame.
My dad has been losing weight for a good while. He had a heart bypass operation a couple of years ago, and has been good and diet and exercise.
Thanks for the tip on the coconut oil. I am drinking more grape juice because of the anti-oxidant properties. Cheese-wise, there is rice-milk based cheese in organic food stores, with practically no cholesterol.