Hi L.---I have to agree that pills and potions do no work....long term anyway, and that's what you want, long-term success.
The best way to lose weight is to eat nutrient dense, low calorie foods, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seed. If you must count something, count grams of fiber. The more fiber you eat the fewer calories you can et. The current recommendations of 24 g/day are inadequate, particularly when you want to include disease prevention into the equation. Double that amount would be good...but slowly build up to that amount to give your body time to adjust. Drink lots of water, both to carry nutrients to the cells and then to carry away toxins and waste.
I have lots of little tips that I've learned in a series of Wellness classes that I took from a Naturopath who has her PhD in nutrition. Let me know if you have any questions, and GOOD LUCK. D.