If you “must” lose weight, ask these “respected people” if they would tell you the same thing if you were happily married. If you must lose this weight for health reasons, consult a health professional for advise how to lose the weight. If a health professional does not feel you have to lose this weight, perhaps you should reevaluate the respect you have for these people.
I’m personally on a quest to lose 30 pounds. While self control when it comes to some of my favorite fattening and unhealthy foods is still a work in progress, I have managed very slow progress towards my goal, by maintaining a regimen of 30 minutes a day of excercise. When the weather is nice, it is walking or riding a bike, and when it rains I get on a treadmill. I’ve actually managed to lose 2 pounds (which is pitiful for the amount of time I’ve been trying to lose this weight) despite losing the self control battle. My doctor basicly mapped out a diet suited to me. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include 3 extra large pieces of kugel at a bar mitzvah.
Your doctor knows you best and is best equipped to put together a plan for you. Anonymous people who don’t know you can only say “eat right, drink lots of water and get plenty of excercise).
Hatzlacha on the diet and may the ribbono she’ll olam send you your Zivug in the proper time.