one step at a time

Hello all! I am a 22 year old female and i have been overweight for all of my life. My issues are not working out and eating the right portions. I do not eat junk or drink soda.I now have knee and ankle pains from the weight gain over the last year that has brought me to 299 pounds. I never wanted to consider the lapband before because i thought it was cheating. I am now left no choice. I am too young to be at this weight. I am aware that i have to improve my eating habits and exercise habits as well. I think my breaking point was going to the doctor and seeing 299 as my weight on the scale. I made an appointment to see the surgeon and it was a waste, my doctor referred me to a surgeon and not a bariatric surgeon, he was nice enough to refer me to a bariatric surgeon. However, i found out that the surgeon does not take my health insurance. i was pretty bummed. The receptionist told me that there was a surgeon on the team that did take me insurance. She scheduled me for a seminar on the 21st of December and i am really nervous. I am also joining the gym near my house next week. why not now? the membership fee is waved. if i don't do it at this gym (which is 2 blocks from my house) i will not make it to any other gym... EVER. The only thing i can change for now is my eating. It's just so hard, i've been this way my whole life, i have 22 years of bad eating habits to break. i know it wont come easy, but i need help. My boyfriend is the only person i have told that i am considering the surgery. majority of my family members are plain old fat.. when my skinny aunt when for a tummy tuck the family wouldnt shut up about it, i dont need that negativity around me. I just refuse to be bothered by it. I know i need the support, but i dont want to worry about who is saying what or who is looking at me and judging my choice. I DONT WANT TO BE FAT ANYMORE! I am young and have my whole life ahead of me, i'd like to be able to live it... not watch it go by.