You will get a lot of respones to your post. Many different ideas and theories. What has worked for me is following The Food Guide Pyramid at approximately 1200 calories per day.
4 bread servings
2 protein servings
2 vegetable servings
3 fruit servings
2 fat servings (I think 1 tblspn is one serving)
2 milk servings

It has worked for me and been approved by my doctor. Whenever I post this on this site, someone argues against it. I hope you will find what works for you. Know that you are not alone in your struggle and that people here care!

You have taken the first step--that is the most important! I like what SheriLou had to say--is is healthy eating lifestyle instead of some 'diet'. I don't know about you but all those 'diets' have never worked for me. Taking things one day at a time, being accountable for everything I eat and writing it down (I put it in my journal here and someone also suggested SparkPeople which has a great nutritional sections to log food), and doing exercise. Start from whereever you are and start--let us know what you are doing and we will support you. You can make it. I have found prayer has also been a big help to me. Good Luck!

I can only say what has worked for me.
I started counting calories Aug. 5,'06 at 224lbs,.( I also avoid sugar and weigh every morning.) July 18,'07 I went on maintenance. I continue to weigh 130 today at 5'5'. A 94 lb weight loss.
My doctor said it is simple: calories in, calories out that is what losing is all about. I have been in TOPS, WW, OA did Atkins you name it.
You can do this!

I agree with Sunnyhere: calories in have to be less than calories out. You have to burn more than you take in. A couple of good friends here recommended Fitday.com to me and I find that it works for me. I had done Weight Watchers for years and lately had been doing it on my own. But now I am doing Fitday.com. that is tracking and journaling calories and exercise. i try to eat better and make better decisions. I also try to exercise more and joined my local YMCA and workout there several times per week. I walk my dog. I play Wii Fit.

Don't get discouraged. This process was much harder than I thought and is taking me much longer than I thought. But the key to remember is that I am going down and not up. No matter how long it takes. I had gained 2-3 lbs per year for almost 20 years. I would lose a few and gain it back plus. So I was always creeping higher and higher. Over this last year, I have lost about 20 lbs. I am very frustrated by this as I thought I would lose more by now.

But I have dropped a size. My BMI dropped out of "obese" and into "overweight" and have have seen some wonderful physical benefits over the last year. I don't tire anymore or get out of breath. I feel better about myself. My acid reflux is all but gone. So I will continue on this path and hopefully lose at least 20 more this year. And I know that by doing what I am doing and losing it slow I will keep it off.

So just make it a point to change your life here and now. You are at the same turning point I was 11/08. You can do this. Slow and steady wins the race! Try to find some new healthy recipes. There are so many wonderful cookbooks out there. And also, find ways to get active. I could not walk on the treadmill longer than 15 minutes before. Now I am jogging! As you get healthy and your body changes for the better and you feel better about yourself, you will become more motivated! Take care and good luck!