I have never been overweight in my life, but here I am, and I never thought that I would ever have this problem. I am not really big into diets, but I did the South Beach Diet, and you lose 10 pounds every two weeks, and it comes off your belly first.  I stayed on Phase 1 for months, and they don't suggest that you stay on Phase 1 for more than two weeks.  I lost 80 pounds in 4 months.  I also allowed myself one day a week to eat a meal that I wanted, but not to the extremes.  It really worked for me.