Hi Fido and "Welcome onboard". Like Lavender has already said I also follow Rosemary Conley's GI way of 'HEALTHY EATING'. I try to look at it as this and not as a "DIET"!!!, or else my mind goes into deprivation mode. I've just finished the first 2 weeks Quick Start plan and lost a fabulous 10lbs. I haven't felt hungry at all.
Once you decide what plan you want to follow you type your weight into specified section and this works out for you how many calories you should eat based on what kind of lifestyle you have (sedenitary, quick living etc) The amount is worked on the basis that if you 'layed in bed 24/7' you would need so many calories to survive, so by going about your daily lifestyle you are using excess fat.This is just a very 'crude' explanation of what is really going on. There are about 5 different plans you can follow.
As Lavender said aswell you can follow in the privacy of your own home without having to traipse out in all weathers to meeting. You have all the support you need . Any e-mail questions you send are usually answered within the hour! Sorry to have gone on abit only there's no other way to explain, Hope it's helped chrisb