So overwhelemed and confused

Eat clean. Drink water. Get moving.

eat less, find an exercise you enjoy and do it..

you need to find something that you can continue long term, not only for weight loss... no good losing and then stopping.. it is a new lifestyle you need to find that works for you.

For exercise, I suggest do what works and what you love. When you shift your energy balance (eat less and exercise more) it is usually easy to start losing. Don't make this more complicated than it needs to be. Walking is great, so is just about anything else that you love.

Do you go to a gym? Do they have trainers and can you afford a few sessions? If so I'd start there, they usually will work with you on diet and exercises to meet your goal. They may not have all of the answers but its a great start and being shown how to do an exercise as well as adjusting the machines is important IMHO. If not I can only tell you what I do and why. I work out 5 days a week (Strength training using machines and Cardio on a sit down bike every day I'm there) because I have some back and knee problems that I tend to aggravate while using free weights.

I worked with a trainer who put me on a calorie specific diet. I like the theory that bigger muscles burn more calories and even if you are planning to only "lose weight" its a good idea to strength train. I do basic muscle groups every day and cardio as mentioned above. I am loses a decent amount of weight but more importantly I have losing size. More so then any diet only I have ever done. I have only lost 13 pounds but I'm slimming down more than 20 pounds on my last "diet only". I suppose its because I'm gaining muscle which adds weight back on.

1) Pick any workout combo that you can do - Push yourself but know you limits so you dont burn out
2) Eat to your daily activities
3) and the hardest part..... give it time! Dont be discouraged about your weight loss progress. If you are feeling stronger and healthier the weight part will happen.

Agreed that weight loss starts in the kitchen and is mostly about calorie deficit. That is the best place to start. When it comes to exercise, I would suggest starting small, doing your best, and not being too hard on yourself about it. Exercise is hard for me, so when I started I told myself I was just going to eat at a calorie deficit and not worry about exercise. As time went on and I found myself losing weight, I was motivated to work in some kind of movement. I'm an introvert & have some social anxiety, so I usually hate going to the gym - instead, I love doing at home DVD's or YouTube routines [Zumba, body weight exercise, etc]. I also enjoy walking because it fits well with my introversion and is a natural stress reliever. Just try anything you think you'll like and stick to whatever works for you!

If you are running on a sleep deficit (like kshadows, wow, girl)

Sometimes on a Saturday or Sunday I'll luck out and get 8 hours...that might put me back into balance lol.

Sounds like you've got alot of stress. That doesn't make it easy, but you'll have to be super organized, and you can do it. As you feel better, things may go better too. I sure hope so and am pulling for you dear. Don't give up, and take things slow, but sure. Do what you can do, and try to get a friend to walk with you. Best.

"I need to lose at least 50 lbs. I'm a female, almost 35, 5'2 (and a half), 177lbs"

I would recommend setting your goal at 70lbs.

Are you saying that she should aim to weigh 107lbs?

I agree, that seems low. It's at the very low end of the healthy BMI range (which, I know, is just a guideline) for a woman of her age and height, and she would still be considered healthy at 130 or 135.

All I did was eat less, portion control and drank less alcohol and the weight came off consistently.

Going to the gym, exercising is good for keeping fit but not actually necessary to lose weight..

I once lost 65 lbs by changing my diet and walking. That was it. Walking doesn't cost anything and you can bring your kids if you don't have anyone to keep them. Put them in a stroller or have them ride their bikes/skate with you while you walk. Then it's a double whamy - you get to spend time with them and you are also giving them an opportunity to exercise. They will also go to sleep earlier for you so you can relax a little bit!

I just started jazzercise two weeks ago and honestly kind of thought i'd hate it (cause I hate exercising!!). I was hooked after the first class - totally loved it. $32 a month and I can go as much as I want to go and they have many times each day for classes and some classes even have child care. By cutting out Starbucks and eating out at lunch, I make up for the money it is costing me. After two weeks of class I'm really noticing a huge increase in my energy and am starting to even think of things I can do outside of jazzercize class (i.e. walk with my son, do extra exercises at home, etc.) Coming from me - this is HUGE. I never would have imagined that class would have had so much positive impact on me -- but I love it!