For exercise, do you have a bike? How far is it to work? If it's possible, I'd get on a bike for your exercise. It will do amazing things for your knees (I am doing this for my knees: I have added to my daily gym visit, 15 minutes/5 days a week on the stationary bike — wow, my knees feel better than they have in years.)

Okay, something else that you can do at home: rent some DVDs and try yoga. I tried it about a year ago and I've been hooked ever since. You can even look up poses and get tips online. I just bought us two new mats for $19/each. There are less expensive mats (I saw some for $16, but they were too thick).

Something that you can do in life. I have read it a lot but in my experience it really works: take the stairs, park far from the mall/store/office, get off the bus two stops before your regular stop and walk. I used to have to walk 15 minutes to catch the train — I would vary my route and try to speed up or slow down but after doing this for a few months, my legs became much more defined.

Diet? Well, I'd just say… buy fruits and vegetables that you like and try to increase your good foods and decrease your bad foods intake. Don't buy spinach if you hate it and try to choke it down — that won't help you at all. But, if you have a thing for broccoli, then buy it and eat it every way imaginable. Do you like yogurt? Eat up — that stuff is good for you. Do you enjoy cereal? Buy the Go Lean or similar brands that are high fiber and protein and low carbs and sugars. It's tough to just wake up one day and say: things are going to be different today! Very often it is discouraging because we don't see immediate results. But, these things do take time — stick with it and do not give up! (And, remember to allow yourself "wiggle room" to slip on the diet plan once in a while, or to take the escalator instead of the stairs.) Set your goals small and celebrate your achievements — even the smallest things all add up to something bigger. Good luck to you — you can do it!
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