I also agree that 5 lbs a week is a lot of weight to lose.

The place to start is to cut out ALL sugar--lattes, soda, beer, wine, candy and the like along with ALL bread including pasta, crackers, processed cereal, etc., etc. That will lead to rapid weight loss. Eat like it's 1940 and cook your own food. Eat whole grains including brown rice and lots of veggies.

Are you a fitness nut? I ask this because it's so common to see people decide to lose weight, hit the gym like they were training for a 100 mile bike race only to end up so exhausted they quit. You're wiser to work out consistently 5 days a week at a level that doesn't kill you than what it sounds like you're doing. Look at how many people resolve to lose weight for their New Year's resolution, join a gym and go 3 times before giving up. Slow and steady wins the race.