Please feel free to join us over at the General Diet Plans - "Doing it the old fashioned way." We've got a great group who are in various stages of weight loss. We basically are watching what we eat, counting calories/points, and exercising. We give each other a lot of support and no question is off limits.
I've been with 3FC for about a month or so and I have asked all kinds of questions. I need to lose about the same amount as you mentioned and it's coming off slowly but surely. I've modified the way I'm dieting since I started as I've learned what works for me and what doesn't.
Basically, here's what I'm doing:
I exercise 6 days a week. 4 days I walk on my treadmill 1 - 3 miles while using hand weights. The other two days I'm using weights to tone and build muscle for about 30 -40 minutes.
I have started to eat breakfast (which I almost never did before.)
I keep a little notebook in the kitchen and I write down what I eat and the calories every day. After a week, I average the daily calories to see what my average intake is on a daily basis. I eat between 1000 and 1600 calories a day and average about 1300 cals.
I eat lean meats, low fat dairy products, fruits, veggies, and high fiber cereals and bread.
I am 5'4" and am down to 170lbs. so at 1300 cals. a day and moderate exercise, I am losing approx. 2 lbs a week. Some weeks I stay the same though but that's the average.
I am very careful about eating too much sugar, white bread, potatoes, white rice, and pasta. I have become the "salad queen."
I keep a journal here on 3FC and you can check it anytime you want. If you start keeping a journal and ask for help in your notes, you'll be surprised at how many wonderful people here will comment back.
Please feel free to send me a personal message anytime.
I hope I've been of some help to you.
Good Luck!!!