Hi there (my first ever post)
How to deal with having 4 stone to lose? Never stop believing that you can do it.
Because you can! Everyone can. I know because I did it ;)
I lost 5 stone in a period of 10 months, did my own plan, stuck to it. I was overweight, very overweight for 10 years and had crossed the border to obese last year and that did it for me. I had enough, wanted to go back to the shape I was before children, and I did, from 15 stone to 10, from size 16/18 to 10.
I changed my way of eating: I eat only when I'm hungry, 3 meals (no skipping breakfast!), no snacks, low carb, high protein, and most importantly: I separated food from emotion. No more eating when I'm stressed, bored, depressed, lonely, upset, angry...
I think most women know exactly how much calories any random food has, I've been a walking calorie-spreadsheet for years, and we know how much to eat and what better not to eat. Nobody tells you though how to undo bad eating habits once you start eating for any other reason than hunger.
Secondly, exercise: I only did and still do exercise I love. I've had gym memberships for years and never shifted more than a few miserable pounds.
Find something you love doing, so you don't have to force yourself, everyone loves some kind of exercise, you just have to find out what it is!
As for setting goals, I did set myself a very ambitious goal, I wanted to be no more than 11 stone. But I didn't set a time frame, I just did what I described and waited patiently, and the pounds dropped, continuously. After I reached my goal I just let my body find the right weight, and that seems to be 10 stone (I'm 5'7). I've been this weight since March.
Btw I didn't cut out cakes, etc completely, just ate them only once a week, and only a small piece, and really really enjoyed it, took my time. No more snacking in front of telly, computer, while reading. And I did drink alcohol as well, so there is a God ;)
I tell you what though, it costs a lot of money clotheswise, you will need a complete new wardrobe.
Good luck, start today, sort out any emotional issues around food (make lists of what you eat and when and why) you're worth it, you can do it!