Gym and food stuffs

Okay so lately I have been trying to eat better (which for me is very hard) and go to the gym. I am doing like my friend Mak said and taking it slowly and not getting horribly upset if I miss a day but still keeping at it.

As for food I am trying to go by the Glycemic scale (although need a bit bigger and better one) which basically means no more potatoes. Apparently they are completely filled with sugars that are bad for you (Who'da thunk that, right?). So eating more rice and better meats and trying to go for less, or at least better breads. I think this time I'm not kidding myself but actually trying to accomplish this. I really truly want to be thinner and at a healthier level and want to try just about anything to do it.

So right now my weight is 238lbs and a 40/42 in waist. I want to get down to 175 - 185 and at least a 36in waist. I know it's not going to be overnight and am willing to do this for the long haul. I'm just tired of being ashamed at how I look when I have minimal or no clothes on.

No if I could get this determined on my other goals I'd be set :3