just starting any tips would be appreciated

My advice - don't cheat. Haha.

Actually, this site helps a lot. It keeps you accountable to others and allows you to know what you are actually consuming every day. Not only that, but seeing the progress of your friends inspires you to work at it.

Set yourself a goal, you have a fitness level or end weight you're aiming for? A time line to do that in? If it's taken a long time to put on weight, it'll be the same in reverse but will take willpower and self focus to achieve it. Your first start is to kick out these 'cheats'. They are gonna go against you. You can lose weight and then gain it back plus some each time because a cheat is often something you start and then stop. Make a decision now to start something new, that new thing should be a 'lifestyle change' and it's going to be for the rest of your life. Not something that has a 'stop' date. Your end will be reaching your personal goals. Start your lifestyle change where eating habits will be reviewed and overhauled and your movements will do the same. You can start with simple things like, serving size, you aren't kicking out your fav's but you are going to learn 'self control' and get used to when you are really full. Smaller servings, eat them but wait b4 going back for seconds. Even getting a smaller plate can help.

Moving activities is where you have to find something you like doing. You wont stick with any new activity if you dont like it or dont really enjoy it. Walking, bike riding, something new that doesn't have to cost you the world with expense of new gym membership or ongoing costs.

Happy to cheer you on matey. This is a roller coaster of a journey, so making the first step of starting here on MFP where you can 'dob yourself in' for foods and exercise is a good start.

best of luck mate. You will get there.

cheers
Louisa
Australia.