Having the desire to change things is the first step - it sounds like you feel the deck is stacked against you a bit at the moment.

Don't worry - it's not all about organic foods and expensive stuff. I'll bet you could find a few minutes in the morning while the kids are playing to do some sit ups and push ups.

I think exercise is the first step, and you don't have to do an hour of walking, if you can't spare an hour all at once. It may be better to break up your exercise throughout the day. And cleaning, if you put your back into it, is certainly a way to burn up calories.

A lot of us here try fasting and cleansing routines, but there's a lot to be said for the old adage: you will lose weight if you burn more calories than you consume. Period. The calories from sugar cereal are the same calories you get from fresh squeezed carrot juice. So watch portion sizes and don't worry about going organic! It won't help you learn control. that's the hardest part. I'm struggling with it, and some people here have way more experience than I do, but don't come down super hard on yourself.

So if you can't afford to do anything fancy, start simple - write down EVERY SINGLE THING YOU EAT. Then start adding some exercise - 15 minutes of jumping jacks, situps and pushups (do 10-20 of each, and rotate). You'll get your blood moving, set a great example for the kids, and it's not a whole hour out of your day.

Good luck! We're here for ya!