Having lost 37 lbs and 4 inches since Febuary here's how I did it. (I also shaved 70 points off my blood sugar)
1. Diet: eat you hand size in protein, you fist in carbs and all the veggies you want.
2. No more snacking on carbs, protein or veggies only.
3. Cut the beers way back and no soda, diet soda can be just as bad, unsweetened tea, coffee, lots of water, juices.
4. Gym or exercise on you own: 20 min cardio (fast walk at first) and strength training 30 minutes 3 - 4 time a week for the at least the first 6 weeks or so, you can ten maintain at 2-3 times a week but keep the cardio up.
ALso for support check out 300DC a bunch of folks who do the 300 Spartans, great moral support and a lot of good diet and exercise advice even if you don't want to get into a Spartan costume.
Good luck,
Kris (I can now do my elite TK without side shims )