It is not recommended to lose more than 1-3 lbs a week. If you want to lose weight the correct and safe way that will stay off for the long-term you need a good exercise and nutrition plan.

A good program looks like this:

Always warm up and cool down

Muscular strength & endurance-you need a good resistance training program that includes exercises for all muscle groups(hips, chest, upper and mid back, legs (quads and hamstrings), shoulders, lower back, upper arms (biceps and triceps), calves, forearms, abdomen, and the gluteus maximus).
Your intensity should be 70-80% 1-RM or 8-12-RM, 8-12 reps, 1 or more sets, 3 times a week for 6 weeks or more. You should begin with 1 exercise for each major muscle group and make sure the days you do resistance training are not consecutive meaning you don’t exercise the same muscle group two days in a row. As you continue your program you can add more exercises, add weight, and change up your program to include more days or just work specific muscle groups on specific days. As your muscles grow stronger you will be able to reduce the rest time between each set. You should rest for about 30 seconds between sets. Muscle is metabolically active and therefore when you gain muscle it burns more calories and helps to raise your metabolism.
If you do not have money for a gym membership or do not have acess to one here is a great website to create a work out plan only using your body weight.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/exercises.php?MainMuscle=&Equip=BodyOnly&Isolation=
You can also search for all kinds of exercises that use weight.
You also mentioned that you want to mostly work on upper body and abs, but make sure you don’t neglect the rest of your body because that could result in injury or misalignment of a certain part of your body. It’s fine to focus on a certain muscle group, just make sure to work every muscle group with basic exercises also.

Cardiovascular Endurance-this is where you can burn fat the most and that leads to enhancing your muscles such as the abs. You need to include a warm-up and cool-down. I have an extensive answer on this section if you would like to read it
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuX3lm8.Tv.BqmVmNUvrkGDsy6IX?qid=20060712075759AAvmuOF

Body Composition-this includes your body fat percentage, bone frame, as well as how much muscle you have. Most people focus on only weight, but you should not put as much focus on that as much as what your body fat percentage is (get it tested at an exercise facility with skinfold calipers). You should also get circumference measurements done. This includes your neck, shoulder, chest, waist, abdominal, hip (buttocks), thigh (proximal), thigh (mid), thigh (distal), knee, calf, ankle, arm (bicep), forearm, and wrist. You should be able to do this at a gym. You should get all of this information done before you start your program and then you can see how you improve.

Flexibility- Most people do not even think about this, but it is very important because it helps to prevent injury and it helps you to perform every day activities. It also has an effect on all your other programs. You should perform 10-12 flexibility exercises every day. Slowly stretch the muscle to a point of mild discomfort but not necessarily pain. Hold stretch for 10-30 seconds, and do 3-5 reps for each stretch. This should take about 15-30 minutes per session. If you do not have time to do this every day, try to do it 2-3 times a week.

You have to make sure that you eat right and that means following the food guide pyramid. I have another answer that discusses this
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ak.EcpJGTWNLXv_bCOXwI4_sy6IX?qid=20060712082804AA5yUNu
References :
I’m an Exercise Science Major and Nutrition Minor

The following healthy living recommendations will help you if you’re trying to lose weight, tone up your muscles, have aspirations of building lean muscle mass, are attempting to get a wash board stomach, or just want to feel better:

*1) Burn more calories then you’re consuming everyday and measure your results using the following formula: Calories Consumed minus Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) minus Physical Activity. Get a diet and fitness calculator that you can put on your computer or cell phone. This will allow you to easily calculate this formula, set goals, log your daily calorie consumption, and register your physical activities.

*2) Eat natural and organic foods found on earth versus something created by a corporation to make money. Eat meals in small portions throughout the day and take a good multi-vitamin supplement.

Avoid “High Glycemic Load Carbs” (sugar, pastries, desserts, refined starches such as breads, pasta, refined grains like white rice; high starch vegetables such as potatoes) and drink lots of water. Read this article for more information on high GL Carbs:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates.html

Do not try fad diets or diet pills. Here is an excellent food pyramid that anyone can follow: http://www.rayandterry.com/html/images/PyramidLRG.gif?osCsid=26a424be471d1337e7c2f105d5c64d9d

*3) Exercise on most days by doing cardiovascular training and/or resistance training activities.

Read a book or find a certified trainer to make sure your doing all resistance training exercises correctly. A great book to buy that teaches you the resistance training basics is “Weight Training for Dummies”. A superb magazine to buy with resistance training routines that will not get you bored is "Muscle and Fitness". Signup for the free newsletter. An excellent free online resource is at http://www.exrx.net/

A good book to buy that teaches you the cardiovascular training basics is “Fitness for Dummies”.

*4) Get plenty of sleep. Sleep experts say most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health, and safety.

*5) Educate yourself continually on health issues and make a life long commitment to good health. A great free publication is “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005”. A superb book to read is “You The Owner’s Manual”. An excellent periodic publication is the “Nutrition Action Health Letter”. A reputable test you can take to measure your biological age is at http://realage.com

Look at all areas where you can enhance your health. For example, make improvements in the quality of the air you breathe. Review outdoor air quality forecasts where you live and get an indoor air purifier. Send me an email or yahoo instant message to "gainbetterhealth" if you want an indoor air purifier recommendation and if you have any questions.

*Click on all the source links below to get the full benefit of the recommendations. The answers presented to your health questions are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
References :
My 25 years of health research and experience.
Source Links:
Calculate Calories Consumed: http://www.nutritiondata.com/
Calculate Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): http://health.discovery.com/tools/calculators/basal/basal.html
Calculate Physical Activity: http://www.weightlossresource.com/tools/exercise/calculator1_2.cfm
Cell Phone Diet & Fitness Calculator: http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&osId=388&jid=864F14BAD8AEFX9A566E6X3ADCD1EE78&platformId=1&N=4294927681%2095584&productId=20058&R=20058
Desktop Diet & Fitness Calculator:
http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=1&osId=388&jid=864F14BAD8AEFX9A566E6X3ADCD1EE78&platformId=1&N=4294927681%2095584&productId=24053&R=24053
Free Online Diet & Fitness Calculators:
http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov/
http://sparkpeople.com/
Natural and Organic Foods: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/index.html
http://www.wildoats.com/u/home/
Multi-Vitamin Supplement: http://www.carlsonlabs.com/product_detail.phtml?prodid=00122&categid=8688&PHPSESSID=98e0fc93b6652bcf3d1afa9324303f65
Glycemic Index and GI Database Website: http://www.glycemicindex.com/
Harvard School of Public Health article on Carbohydrates:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates.html
MayoClinic Article on Water:
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/NU/00283.html
Food Pyramids:
http://www.rayandterry.com/html/images/PyramidLRG.gif?osCsid=26a424be471d1337e7c2f105d5c64d9d
http://www.mypyramid.gov/
Certified Trainers:
http://www.acsm.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home_Page&WebsiteKey=3bb8c0a3-b699-44f5-99ca-4c9e64600c5e
http://www.nsca-lift.org/
http://www.acefitness.org/
http://www.nasm.org/
Weight Training for Dummies: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471768456
Muscle and Fitness:
http://www.muscleandfitness.com/
Exercise Prescription on the Net:
http://www.exrx.net/
Fitness for Dummies:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764578510
Sleep Website: http://sleepfoundation.org/
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005:
http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/foodguide.pdf
You The Owner’s Manual:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060765313
Nutrition Action Health Letter:
http://www.cspinet.org/nah/
Realage Website: http://www.realage.com/
AirNow Website: http://airnow.gov/
Indoor Air Purifier Ratings: http://www.air-purifier-power.com/top-10-air-purifiers.html

The problem you’ll face with your ‘wants’ is this: It’s nearly impossible, without the help of illegal substances (which no one should recommend) to both lose weight and build mass because one happens in the catabolic phase of metabolism (weight loss) while the other occurs in the anabolic phase (mass building).

So, your best bet is to settle, for now, on a trim-down program that will both tone your muscles (make them stronger) and will reduce the amount of body fat you currently have (this will make your muscles look bigger because they aren’t covered-up).

In starting a weight loss program, remember that many diet plans, commercial as well as homemade, can help a person get on the right track (i.e., eating better and exercising more), but most lack the ability to truly be customized to your physiological needs. Thus, they work for awhile but then quit working.

If you want to lose weight in a healthy manner, keep the following in mind:

1) Check with your physician to be certain that you are physically able to reduce your calories and increase your exercise habits safely.

2) Make certain that the calories you are eating are as balanced as possible. Finding out how much protein, carbs, and fats your body needs on a daily basis can really help keep your energy levels high all day long. The #1 reason my clients tell me that they’ve stopped dieting or exercising in the past is because of low energy ebbs. Splitting the amount of calories you can have per day into 5 – 6 smaller meals will help tremendously (this keeps your body fueled and ready to go and you also know that your next meal is only a couple of hours away).

Knowing what your basal metabolic rate (BMR) is will certainly help you determine how to be calorie conscious. Also remember that you may need supplements to help things along.

3) While exercising (before, during, and after) be sure to consume enough water. The key is not to be ‘thirsty’ (overtly) during this time of exercise.

4) Adding weight bearing exercise (i.e., lifting weights) will help to tone your body and the thermogenic (fat burning) effect will last long after you’ve stopped working out — even if your workout is simply walking).

5) Remember that you’ll probably hit plateaus (times when you’ll stop losing weight) several times during your weight loss progress. This is completely normal and is only temporary but it can last for a couple of weeks at a time. It is very important to remember that even if your scale isn’t showing progress, your entire body is being positively effected by your efforts.

6) Measure different parts of your body (neck, upper arms, lower arms, chest, abs, waist, belly, butt, thighs, etc.) and do it accurately. Write these measurements down and check them once every 2 weeks. This will help you remember that your body is ‘reducing’ all over — not just in one particular area. If you’re weight training you may actually notice a slight increase in some areas of your body (don’t worry — if you’re a woman you won’t start looking like a bodybuilder).

7) Keep focused on your end goal and concentrate on losing maybe 1 pound a week — sometimes you’ll lose more, sometimes less. As long as it’s an average, it’s okay.

Lastly, remember that you’re doing a WONDERFUL thing for your body.

Keep up the good work. I’ve worked with hundreds of people in the past 20 years (mostly women) who have lost (individually) HUNDREDS of pounds safely. Better still, they’ve kept it off — Kay lost over 350 pounds and has been at her goal weight for 7 years now.

As for what to take (if anything), that depends entirely on what your body needs. Anyone who suggests that you take something that ‘works for everyone’ is either confused or deluded. For example, if you had a twin brother or sister your bodies could react completely different to certain supplements or foods on a metabolic level. If you want to learn more about what you might want to take and how to calculate your BMR, you can visit my site (below).

Any questions, don’t hesitate to write and ask.

Lonnie Honeycutt, C.N.C.
Your Health Is My Concern
http://www.betterlifetoday.com
References :

3 routines:
1) chest and back 2) biceps and triceps 3) Legs, Shoulders, and Trapezoids.

Do stomach crunches on every day of the routine and start with 10-15 minutes on the elliptical. Eat low carb and increase your protein. Do not eat 3 hours before bed either. This will speed up your metabolism. You will see the weight shed in about 48 hours and try getting to the gym often.

I personally supplement with 60g of protein a day on top of my normal eating habits.

I know I mentioned legs, but when you work the legs, the love handles go.

I’ve gotten pretty good results.

Good luck.
References :
Personal experience.