Cutting calories isn't always the answer though. Too few calories and your body goes into "starvation mode" and slows your resting metabolic rate, makes you more tired more easily, ect... Better to eat right and just try and get more activity.
Also, it all takes time. Fad diets and one shot programs might get you to drop a few pounds for a bit, but it will come back once you get back to old habits. I love good food, ergo, I need to do more to keep up with a good workout routine. This was really starting to pay off big for me before we moved down here and I felt comfortable walking around with my shirt off even at 220 lbs.
At 260 lbs... that isn't nearly so appealing as it once was.
But, give me a year or so and I should be ready for the beaches again. I want this to be a permanent "habit".
No problem:
Walk 2 miles a day
Eat lots of fresh green leafy veggies
Eat 5-6 times a day
Drink copious amounts of beer.
Last year, just for kicks, I tracked my caloric intake. I discovered that I was averaging about 600 calories a day and was not feeling hungry at all. Naturally, my weight wouldn't budge. So, I figured I should up my calories to about 1200 calories. This took serious effort as I had no real desire to eat. I stuck with it for 3 weeks. Guess what? No weight change.
I finally had some success losing weight when I tried the South Beach diet. I lost 10lbs in the first two weeks, as predicted by the books, but I was also swimming 10 miles a week.
My life is so busy and filled with stress that I'm beginning to despair of ever losing the weight.
I have to find a way of balancing a proper diet with enough exercise to shrink the fat cells. It's almost enough to tempt me to induce lactation!