You can do it! Some great tips given already. What has helped me too, although I still have some more to lose, is getting interested in cooking, using loads of veggies and healthy meats. I lost initially about 40 lbs. Experimenting with lots of herbs and trying a lot of variety has been pretty fun. I love sea food so living near Seattle, there is always lots of good, fresh fish, especially salmon, my fav.
Anyhow, once you get on the roll, you'll do it. What I've done is basically cut out a lot of the bad carbs, white flour etc, lower the fat, but not eliminate it, increased veggies big time and use nice, fairly lean meats, fish, beans...stuff like that. I lost the majority by counting calories pretty much, but now I'm just estimating and not being quite stringent enough, so I'm a little stuck here with another 10 or more lbs to go. 10 first. Then maybe another 5-10. It's really hard when you get older...everything just slows way down. arrrggg. Plus, going out a couple times a month at least, (eating pizza and Thai food with those wide rice noodles) doesn't help, especially when you add beer to the equation. And chocolate here and there. Eh-hem...have issues with chocolate.
Lots of exercise is good too. I don't care what "they" say about it not helping to lose weight. (well, maybe not so much weight, but fat) I think it does. Plus, it is so good for you for many reasons. I got to the Y most days and do a variety of things. Haven't tried belly dancing. They offer it. Today it was fun at the pool. There were only 2 other people in it. Had the locker room to myself and the Jacuzzi too.
So, maybe that thing Puck posted would be a help to you. Good luck. You can do it! Just dive in and start having fun with cooking. Play with it, try interesting things that are healthy and not too fattening. Fill up with lots of fiber and lots of water too. Go for it!