could really use encouragement.

Don't try dieting! Diets will never last. It has to be a change you will live with if its going to last. Change doesn't come easy. It's really hard to break old habits and no it doesn't take 22 days to start a new habit. It will take more or less depending on the new habit you want to make so persevere. It can happen. I have been slowly losing weight. Four years ago I was 40 pounds heavier. That's only 10 pounds a year loss but the loss comes from working on myself not dieting and I have no fear of the weight returning. It could I suppose but I'm not worried. I have watched members of my family that have dieted on and off their entire lives just get bigger and bigger. Diets are the biggest rip offs and probably a decent way to make some money so I might write a diet book. I'll call it 30 pounds in 30 days and basically you starve all the day then at the end drink a martini, eat the olive , then pass out till the next day. Do that for 30 days and I guarantee you will lose 30 pounds and in the very small print it will tell you that you cannot expect to keep the weight lost if you will start eating again and there is a risk of becoming alcoholic. Okay, that my smart *kitten* reply. But seriously, you can use this to help yourself. Take it easy. Don't push too hard. Try some other exercises that are easier on your knees. How about walking? I have knee issues too. Runs in my family for some weird reason. I have the least of it though because I am more active. Strengthening the muscles around the knees helps me. Walking is a good start. Try walking everyday? 30 minutes if you can. 5 days a week. A little light stretching but no pain. The "no pain no gain" bollocks is just unnatural. Watch animals. See how they move and stretch frequently. They don't stay in one position for long times. They shift, stretch, move. They are strong and fit and they don't lift weights or ride exercise bikes or go on diets. Except of course those poor domesticated animals that are lovingly over fed then put on low calorie animal food. They didn't do that to themselves though. It's silly humans projecting their emotional baggage onto their pets. Take your time. Don't rush. Make healthy changes and stay away from fattening diets. And if I'm not too obnoxious go ahead and friend me and I will "yay!" For you.

I would search out different leg exercises that are low impact - like leg lifts - to get the strength up around your knee. Start small, and work your way up. I started on doing just low-impact because of my knees, and now I can do some higher impact - but not all the time.

As for matthewsism - YES ADD HER!! She has been GREAT support for me

You need to put the past in the past and jump back on the MFP train and see where it takes you. You can do this! It's all a state of mind. We all have our good days and bad days, but here you can find people to help you through the bad days and celebrate the good ones with you. It's frustrating sometimes, but take it slow and it will happen for you again. If riding the bike hurts you knees, do it for less time and build your way back up. Someone once told me "It's not a race" and you know they are right. If we want to lose this weight and keep it off we have to change some things about our lives and that takes time. Keep your chin up...You can do this and be successful.

Btw, I do my leg lifts without using weights. I don't think you should use weights with your knees.
I just lift my legs up out straight when sitting on the couch while watching tv.
Baby steps.
Oh and jack la lane was not a weightlifter. All his muscle was made using his own body. Isometrics.
I'm doing yoga which uses isometric type exercises. I can't afford gyms and don't like them. I'd totally swim. I love swimming but have no pool so after years of moping around without a pool I've finally decided to start enjoying yoga. Just work with what you have.