I've got a cook book called "The drinking man's diet". The basic idea is that you cut out carbs from food, eating meals made up of of vegetables and protein and replace bread, rice or whatever with the carbohydrates taken in as alcohol. Meat and fat satisfy your hunger faster so you don't feel like your missing out.
Supposed natural metabolism boosters include chilli, peppermint, cinnamon, drinking ice cold water, getting enough sleep and exercise, caffeine and seaweed extract. I take 5HTP because we can't buy tryptophan in the UK, its supposed to boost serotonin levels which suppresses appetite (and regulates sleep patterns and other stuff), but not in an unhealthy speedy way.
Find an activity that you love to do so that you don't feel like your "exercising". Dancing while your drinking, gardening, dancing horizontally and strolling along the beach all burn calories!