Hi Linda.
I saw a meme last week which you made me think of. You're not fat, you have fat. Granted you may have more of it than you wish to or need, but that doesn't define you.
I challenged most of the conventional myths this past year about weight-loss (slower metabolism at my age, hypothyroidism, work a desk job, etc.) and eventually dropped 70 pounds by tracking and managing calories. I used the analogy of being on a $15.00 per day food budget in which I was given $20 each day but with a goal of saving $35.00 per week. If I decided to spend more on a given day I could either adjust on another day or simply earn a little bit more. Using that logic I managed to average around 1,200 per day and on "bad" days would put in extra time either on the trails or in the gym; rarely would I cut back on calories beyond the 1,200 as I thought that was pushing it.
My advice to you would be to keep to a daily budget of 1,200 calories and put extra effort into making sure you're accurately recording what you eat. I've met quite a few people who inaccurately recorded calories and failed to lose weight as a result. Humans are notoriously flawed at logging and estimating portions and calories and getting better at that and keeping to the budget is where the secret sauce can be found. Of those people who I know personally who managed to accurately record calories and keep to their budget, all lost weight.
Also, burning more calories becomes much easier if you're moving. If you're not already doing so, try and accumulate 10k steps each day. You'll burn roughly 120 calories per mile and your body doesn't care if you cover the distance walking or running.
Good luck and keep us updated with your progress.
