Well first of all, we know the dreaded words of diet and exercise come to mind. Get help, don't think you can this by yourself. There is professional help and get a buddy to join in with you to keep you on trac k. I don't believe counting calories is effective(at least for me) buat keeping levels constandt in your body does work. After I lost weight, the pattern I found that worked for me was ,small frequent meals and of course- lean meats, poulty, and fruits and vegetables. In most stores I have found if you stay to the outside isle in a grocery store will help as you won't be looking at processed foods and foods with additives and sugar in everthing. Remember fresh is best and then followed by frozen and then canned. Keep away from heavy sugar syrups and look for color for your plate. An all brown meal does not appeal to anyone, including me!
Keep away from empty calories like Frappes, cappucino's, pop, candy, cookies, whitebread, etc. Look to fruit and vegetables when you have those cravings for something more and also look at how you prepare your foods, backing off of fried and looking at steamed, baked and more.
Try things you never liked before, our tastes change as we get older and something you didn't like before may now appeal to you . At restaurants, go for lighter meals and ask for a take out container before you even start and box half of your meal and that way you are not overdoing it and you have lunch for tomorrow or share your meal with your hubbie or significant other. When I do this I am not tempted to eat the whole thing and then not only add the extra calories and be miserable from eating too much. I also have learned with salads to dip my fork into the salad dressing as I have asked for it on the side and that way I don't dump the whole thing on my salad with all the calories.
Now the other part of your game plan is exercise, get up off your duff and move. There are many sites today that can custom make a meal plan and exercise program for you to follow. Of course always check with your doctor on all of this before you start any kind of diet or exercise program. Awareness and education are your new best friends and find the tool that will work best for you. You can look great at any age and keeping a positive mental image can help. Always- Make it a g