Candeka is right about counting calories. I just have a few things to add, like drinking at least 8 cups of water a day. I know counting cal. works because years ago I worked at a fast food joint and my almost my entire menu came from the resturant, I just counted the calories and stayed under 1600 each day. I literally ate whatever I wanted within my calorie limit and lost an average of 2 lbs a week for 4 months. I've had two babies since then and a lot of emotional trauma in my life that have helped me get to how big I am now, but I'm right back to counting calories again. This time I'm making sure the calories I eat are nutritionally sound though. Since I've cut out all sweets, I haven't had cravings lately. A key thing in calorie counting, or really in any diet, is actually writing down EVERYTHING you put in your mouth. Sometimes we're eating a lot more than we think until we see it in writing
btw, yes, being overweight can make people think you're older. I have 3 sisters and we've all struggled with out weight over the years. Whenever we were all in the same gathering, everyone always assumed, whoever was the heaviest at the time was the oldest sister
Lastly, this is an amazing community with so much support so if you decide to take a leap of faith and lose weight--we will all be here for you.