Starting a 200+ pound weight loss journey

Hello, I am 41 years old and I weigh 360 pounds. It's interesting because I have seen it jump up in 20 pound increments over the last 3 years and I was literally shocked the other day when it read 360, like somehow I thought 340 (which was what I thought it would be) was ok or something. I went to a concert with my daughter the other day and could barely walk from the parking lot to the amphitheater. It was so embarrassing and painful, I had to stop 4-5 times not only to catch my breath but to rest because it felt like I was walking through mud. My legs and back hurt so bad. In reality, it wasn't that far but it was humiliating to me because I was with my friend and my two kids. I have two kids, age 16 and 21. They are fit and healthy and I am proud of them. I'm tired of my weight, I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of saying, "that's it, I'm done....I'm going to fix it now." I know how to do this. I know the right things to eat, I know that I need to start walking and work up to more exercise. I have no significant health problems other than sleep apnea and the time is now. I've been reading a lot of posts in here and I think what I'm missing is motivation. It's funny because I have every reason to do it, I just seem to lack the drive. This seems scary to me to post this and throw these thoughts out into the ether, but maybe that is what I need. I'm going to take the following steps to start:

1. Go back to recording my food diary here...It really helped me before keep on track.
2. Stop drinking soda. All soda. Not trading regular for diet because that always brings me right back to regular somehow.
3. No more drive through food.
4. Start walking each day. Stop asking others to go get the mail. (I like to act like it's too far to get the mail. It's not, I'm just lazy)
5. Stop asking others to do stuff for me an get things for me.

Reasons why I should follow through:

1. I'm done being nervous that I won't fit in a booth at a restaurant.
2. I'm done feeling embarrassed that my family, friends and kids always ask for a table and not a booth at a restaurant because they know I probably won't fit.
3. I'm done worrying about airplane seat belts.
4. I'm done with having to special wash all my shirts so that they don't shrink and be to short for my stomach.
5. I'm done with not being able to sleep at night because I can't get comfortable enough on my back, stomach or side because of my weight.
6. I'm done with absolutely loving to swim, go to the water park etc but never going because my bathing suit is a joke and I look so huge in it.

I'm not giving up this time.

Oh my, you sound a lot like I did when I started this at 41 and started having back pains walking just down the street. I started at 340 and losing the weight has been the best thing I ever did. I had some of the same concerns about restaurant booths, and airplanes and don't forget amusement parks.

the good news... it's doable

The bad news... what bad news? other than replacing entire wardrobes?
you will feel better
you will no longer have those concerns about fitting into places
(I would walk around cars in the parking lot, thinking there was no way I was squeezing though)
you can keep up with people and not have to stop because you are in pain/tired, etc
and the list goes on

Some things to keep in mind as you are starting...
1) everyone will have an opinion on what you are doing right and wrong. And everyone loves to offer advice knowing they are right... This is both here on MFP and in real life. Ultimately you are the judge of it and you make the final decisions - it's your body after all...
2) people in real life will want to feed you, that is just what people do - learn how to say no, thank you a lot it seems the more you lose, the more they want to feed you/take you out...
3) take a before picture and updates - you will see changes in the pics side by side that you will never see in the mirror
4) we all mess up, just pick yourself up and move on - no need for woulda, shoulda, coulda - it happened like spilled milk - don't let it derail you - just brush yourself off and move on...
5) scales are dangerous - depending on everything, scales will tell you whatever they want whenever they want. look at pictures, take measurements - don't let a high salt day or PMS derail you because the scale tells you you are 5 lbs heavier (it will do that, trust me)

Good luck on your journey and best wishes...

Congrats for taking this first step. I know how you feel. I was 326 and was mortified that I had let myself get that large. When I started I knew the gym would be pointless, so I just walked. At first it was just around the block one time. Then after a week, it was twice. I kept adding more, then joined the gym and used the treadmill. I started increasing the incline on the treadmill and before I knew it I had worked up to walking uphill for an HOUR every night! I cut carbs back to 30g per meal, and logged everything I ate. I lost 130lbs over a year and a half. I no longer need to shop in the plus size section! I can not only get in an airplane seat, but i can get in a kayak! I can ride a bike! My sister commented that I am younger now than I have been in 20 years. I still have weight to lose, but I am enjoying life now and can't believe how much I was missing before. I was able to stop all my meds. My sugar levels are now normal. Was it worth the things I had to give up? A millions times over, Yes!