Cogs;
I too am a newbie here and Karen is EXACTLY right, you have to find what works for you and something you can live with for the rest of your life.
I am a newbie here also, today is day 14. I doing little things. First I cut out the soda and increased the water, tried to eat healthier, e.g. cut up an apple instead of eating the candy bar or bag of chips, cut down on portion size. Week 2, I added in 30 min of exercise. I like robin eat every 2-3 hours and for me a higher protien meal/snack works best for me. I am not sure what I am going to add or change next week, maybe add in yoga or pilates, maybe some free weights, maybe increase exercise time or increase the intensity. I am a chocolate fiend and don't think I could ever give it up completely, but now I buy Hershey's Dark chocolate and break it up, then break each square in half. I usually have 1-2 half squares a day. some people write down/journal everything they eat in a day, some people plan their meals in advance . . . I couldn't plan in advance, what if I didn't feel like oatmeal in the morning. I try to have a variety of different breakfast, lunch and snack ideas available so I get the variety I like and need. I haven't weighed myself since Dec 31 so I don't even know if it's working . . . maybe tomorrow I think. So I may not be the one to ask . . .
Since this is your last chance, that means you are not going to be quitting . . . ever!!!! The people here are awsome, supportive, helpful, motivating and full of ideas. They are here when you hit that bump in the road and help you up and back on track, offer ideas, thoughts and support.
So my suggestion is make changes you can live with FOREVER, quick fixes won't work, be healthy, happy and know that you can do it!!!