I'm new, so I'm saying a little hello!

I found MFP just randomly browsing the internet, but I think it can help me loosing some of this weight I want to!

I've been feeling horrible about myself for a while now, I've thrown MANY clothes away in the past few months - some all time favourites too. I've been buying clothes and then worn them once and not been able to fit in to them again!
I'm feeling lazy, unhealthy, unhappy with what I see in the mirror and everytime I look down at my belly! I get tired out by the smallest things and I've realised I've generally not felt very well since I've gained weight - lots of illness, bugs and so on!

I decided to weigh myself a few days ago (I've not weighed myself in about a year... tsk) and I've skyrocketed in weight! In the past year I've gained around 8 stone, I've gone from my usual 8-9stone (dependant on the days I've had) up to almost 17 and I'm just not happy with myself anymore.

So, it's time for change! And I'm hoping this time I manage to stick to it!
Looking for some people who can help me along the way - I have few friends and those I have aren't the supporting type in weight loss. I get a lot of "BUT YOU'RE SKINNY, YOU DON'T NEED TO LOOSE IT!" and that reaaaaaally doesn't help me at all!