Lost and overwhelmed

Weight loss is simple - it's calories in vs calories out. If you eat less than you burn, you will lose weight.

MFP simplifies the calculation of how many calories you need to eat to lose 'x' amount (in lb/week). What you have to do is log accurately what you do eat to keep track of it. That means weighing & measuring everything you eat/drink. That's the intake bit.

Phone apps or exercise monitors can help with the 'burn calories' bit - pedometers, Endomondo, MapMyWalk etc etc - there's loads out there & many link up to MFP.

Personally, I use Endomondo when I run.

Cycling is a great low impact exercise. Gradually increase from 15 mins a day, maybe add 5 mins at a time, until you can do an hour. That will probably burn 500 cal. Finding local pals to pedal with is good too. There are a number of eating plans that will enable weight loss. Pick one you can stay with for a while and allow yourself time to learn more and refine your decisions. Welcome to MFP

My first ever reply here! hurra!
I totally understand your confusion. It is always to commit to something you don't understand fully, it creates this "horror of the dark places" as i call it often.
It's not something only you have, so don't punish yourself! Moreover, it is not something too difficult to overcome. x
I think you need a plan. Don't make it "loose x pounds in x weeks", this would only stress you out. Instead, plan to stop all the junk food gradually, week by week, replacing all the meals and snacks with healthy alternatives and habits. Give yourself plenty of times, but find a buddy to be accountable!

See me, for example: I decided to cut off all the snacks. I know (i've tried!) to cut them out in one day, but that doesn't work with me. So in 4 weeks i plan on having at least 3 good meals a day and not more than 1 snack. I don't have problem with junk food, that's why it's not included in my plan.

Then working out. You need to workout in order to LIVE, not lose weight. I remember being 17 and thinking "aerobics is boooooring, i don't need it". I am 30 years old and feel like working out is the biggest pillar of sanity in my life. When i fall out of habit, i feel like crap, everything aches, my mood swings and i become a total b*tch to people around me. Returning to the gym is my biggest dream (and most difficult to make true for a number of reasons). But i run! At least something. I run not to loose weight, but to live long and pain-free life.

I understand you are starting college. That's great! Congratulations! This will change many things you know about the world. Consider it a good time to introduce a new habit of doing sports in your life. Start right away, so you have time to choose what exactly do you like. If you think about gym, get a book called "New rules of lifting" it has a version for girls. And it is super-helpful, it gives you a plan and everything you need. You DON'T need to be slim before joining a gym on campus. Just start.

In general, my advice to you is this: love yourself. Make this a habit. Pamper yourself with good food in good amounts, working out, having fun, physically and intellectually.

Also, if you're looking for a MFP accountability buddy, pm me I am looking for one, too.

i too get overwhelmed by all the advice. I do a workout video at home called Kettlebell Kickboxing for my exercise. I like that because I can just follow along doing what she does and I don't have to figure out the exercises on my own. And for diet I eat what I want to eat, just less and over time I start eating healthier because I want to eat more. I'm not an expert but that is what works for me because it's simple and not overwhelming.