Orca1,
I went on a $$$ diet and I love it!
First, you stop going out (eating junk) and bing drinking.
Second, you start buying protein shakes (expensive, I know) instead of Pax, BK, McDs etc.
Third, you eat whatever you want at home (limiting bread, cookies and sweets though, LIMITING, not excluding!)
The above did amazing thing for me: my networth started to grow and my belly shrinking! My GF told me there is half of me now from what was before.
Oh, and pick-up running - 3-4 times per week about 1/2-1 M do wonders to your figure!
Once you see the results you can allow yourself to go out once a week and have a beer or two, but no more than that in one week.
Good luck.