Irish girl looking for support and encouragement

Hi everyone.
I'm a 29 year old Irish girl. Last year my brother died and we found out my mum has stage 4 lung cancer. It was a tough, tough year and the pounds piled on. I gained over a stone in weight in a matter of months, lost motivation to be healthy or care about my diet.
But it's a new year and I'm trying to keep positive. I've been using MFP now for just 10 days and have lost 3 pounds already which is amazing (though I have my period so I think some is lost water weight etc.). I'm looking to see how this month pans out before I get too happy about anything.

I'm not looking to lose much. I'd like to be under 10stone again (starting weight with MFP was 154.4 pounds). And it'd be nice to fit into a size 10 comfortably (currently a 14). I know I'm not obese but I am no longer in a healthy range for my height and I want to nip it in the bud. More importantly I want to be happy and comfortable in my body again. I dance and as a result am hugely aware of how my body moves. The weight I put on in 2011 went mostly to my waist and I can feel that I don't move and bend like I used to.

Here's the tough thing to ask though. I would love some support on here from some people, however I can't guarantee I can be equally supportive back. Some days are difficult for me emotionally and I still have a lot of things to heal. I have learnt that I can't often give when I need to keep myself going. It took me a lot to take time for myself and not be ashamed or feel selfish. So I will understand if you feel that it would be an unbalanced friendship.

If you don't ask though you don't get. Also it's 2.20am here and my insomnia is kicking in hard so sorry if this is a little heavy to read!

Maybe I should have stuck to a simple 'hello'!