Starting A Diet HELP

I need advice on starting a diet ..I am currently 5'9" and weigh 178lbs.  I would like to be down to 150lbs.  I work everyday but Sunday and my schedule changes between working until 5pm one day and 7pm or later the next.  I need some at home exercise ideas that will help me get started off right

I guess it really depends if you do anything now, and what you enjoy doing.  I know after work, I like to stay home.  So I guess I would come home, eat a healthy, but light dinner, work out and have a snack.  You should do that on your 5 o'clock days for sure.  Maybe your 7 pm days can be rest days, unless of course they are more frequent than 2-3 times a week.  There are a lot of good work out videos you can do that include both cardio and resistance training.  You will want to incorporate both into your plan.  Building muscle will help w/calorie burn and increase your metabolism.  

In addition to exercising after work, be sure you are eating healthy throughout the day.  Do not skip meals.  

Good luck.

It really depends on your goals ya know? If you want to firm and tone then buy some weights or find empty plastic milk cartons and fill them with water until you get the right weight and start lifting. A weighted jump rope session (even if you have to stop and re-start) that lasts 30 mins long burns a ton of cals. Then maybe take a stroll around your neighborhood if it's nice out... or drive around your area, find a steep hill and kill it! :).

Another thing I find useful if you have highspeed internet is youtube... lotsa workouts there that can help. Even show form and diet/cooking tips :)

G'Luck!

I'm starting again.  I've been on this ride before, but I think what's going to work for me this time is that I'm telling everyone within ear shot that I'm changing the way I eat.  I think it's helping because the people I work with have stopped bringing the snacks to my desk; they now leave them in the break room. 

Here's my 2-cents worth of tips:

1. Plan your entire week of meals and snacks BEFORE you go to the grocery store.

2. Portion it all out as soon as you get home from the store.

3. Tell EVERYONE in your life; you may get some detractors, but you'll find more support than you expected.

4. STOP finding excuses.  There is always one there if you look hard enough.

As for exactly what to eat, I literally took my caloric recommendation from here and went to www.nutrition.gov (I'm a Federal employee, so I like the government) and found the nutrition recommendations for the caloric intake I want, and that's what I'm focusing on.  For me that's 3 fruits, 3 veggies, 3 dairy, 5 grains, and 5 oz meat each day focusing on whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy and fresh fruits and vegggies.

As for working out, I'm following the 12-week program on calorie count.  I just started yesterday, and motivation and sticking to it are big challenges for me.  So, having the extra support helps.

Good luck!