I'm a new starter too, so hopefully we can keep each other company ! I want to lose about 25 lbs.
Have you decided how you are going to do it yet ? My own strategy is :
1. Eat real food (ditch the junk and I'll ditch my trunk !)
2. Try to do 1/2 hour exercise every day, even if its just a walk
3. Eat little and often (I find I'm just as happy with a small meal if I know I can eat again in a couple of hours).
Lots of luck and give us your tips for how you are going to do it !