Hey, Clementine!
Sounds like you've got COMMITMENT, which is the first requirement, I think, for long term success. That commitment, if you maintain it, means that, even if things get rough, you'll keep going...key in this journey where there are bound to be pitfalls, stalls, and bumps in the road.
The second key, in my opinion, is a PLAN. It's all well and good to intend to lose weight and get in shape, but if you don't plan how you're going to get there, it can be hard to acheive. Do you have one of those yet? If so, we probably have a forum for it...from commercial plans to more general approaches like calorie counting and whole foods. So look around!
The third piece in this puzzle is SUPPORT, and boy, we can offer that here. Have you found our 30-somethings forum yet? Check it out! We also have miscellaneous support groups and clubs for all kinds of people, and support groups by plan.
So find a spot, settle in, and keep posting. I can't wait to hear more from you soon!