I'll go on and answer the Questions.

My Starting weight is 200 pounds and I am 5'2" tall.

I need to loose 70 pounds within the next 12 months. I've already implemented the unwritten part of my plan, to stabilize my weight. So, I have stopped gaining weight. I also don't consider pounds lost unless it stays off for the duration of two weeks. (I'm like a yo-yo.) Now, my four stage plan.

Stage one: Kick the Cola Habit!

The goals are obvious, drop soda and popcorn (I'm down on both but need to eliminate them both for a couple of months.) Drink the required 8/8 of water. Switch to tea w/ sugar and veggies and ranch. Introduce fiber 2 meals per day. (Slow and steady with the fiber thing!)

Now the part I find most difficult - The Workout. Past experience lets me know that the KISS method is best. Walk -OUTSIDE - 20 mins. 5 x week. Outside helps reduce the affects of depression.

The duration of stage 1: 2 months October - November
Goal weight by Last day of November: 188

Stage 2: Introducing Stage 1 of the South Beach Diet

I have used stage 1 before, it was to stabilize my weight, I loved the results and the food! (I've never eaten so much at each meal!)
So drinking the 8/8 of water per day. Switch out the sugar in my tea for sugar free. Buy a lot of lactaid, I've got a slight milk allergy.

The Workout: Walking outside for 20 - 30 mins. 5 x week. Strength training 20 mins 3 x week.

Duration of Stage 2: 2 months December - January.
Goal weight by the last day of January: 176

Stage 3: Stage 2 of the the South Beach Diet

Although, I'm sure I'll have already started the Stage 2 diet mid way through my stage 2 I've decided to make it the focus for a full two months. The benchmarks of Stage 3 will be to switch to decaf tea.

The Workout: Walking outside 5 x week for 30 - 40 mins.
Strength Training 3 x week for 20 mins.
Yoga with my kids 2 x week. (One of the most fun videos I've ever done and I get to workout with my kids!)

Duration of Stage 3: 4 months February - May
Goal Weight by the last day of May: 152

Stage 4: Maintain the South Beach Diet

The major changes in this stage are adding in weights. For me strength training involves resistance, adding weights by this time shouldn't cause injury which has been a problem in the past.

The workout:
Walk outside for 60 mins 4 x week + Jog/Run for 10 mins 2 x week
Strength Training 3 x week
Weights 2 x week (rotating upper and lower body)
Yoga with my kids (or a class) 2 x week

Duration of Stage 4: 4 months June to September
Goal weight by the last day of September: 130-128

My support is with my husband and his family. I'm also looking forward to meeting and encouraging others. It always motivates me to work with other people.

I think this is quite realistic. I'm not sure when my plateau will happen, but I've left enough flex to add in a new work out or revert to the Diet's stage 1 to give my body a boost. My biggest concern will be the plateau in my mind. The biggest contributor to my weight are the "tapes" playing in the back of my mind.

The Plan officially starts on October 1, 2007, but I've already started on Stage 1 with cutting back on Cola and introducing healthful snacks.