Bloody 'ell. Barmaid has cut down on the booze! So she really is in love, then ;-)
The best time to exercise, JD, is probably whenever you can. If possible, walk or cycle to work. Always take the stairs and not the lift. Try to ensure that you walk at least 5 miles every day. (It's not hard if you don't pick up the car keys whenever you need to go shopping).
Pasta is good for filling you up without piling the pounds on. Potatoes are fine as long as you avoid cooking them in fat. (Jacket potatoes can form the basis of many a good meal). If you fancy a snack, have a banana. (They're a great source of slow-release energy and they fill you up quite quickly without significantly adding to your waistline).
Chris