So sorry to hear this, Dan
Not only were things bad for you, but all the negative shit happened all at once, it seems (and this was the breaking point). The hope for Japan I think should be kept alive; you absolutely have a good grasp of the language and you can definitely achieve something, so don't ever give that up.
The weight is obviously something that needs to get worked on; I can bet that a good portion of us on here is overweight (me included
), but the good news is that at the weight you're currently at, it's easier to lose a big chunk than if you were lighter.
If I were in your shoes, I would put together a playlist or a grouping of a ton of songs (an hour or more's-worth) and then put it on an MP3 player/phone/your most-desired way of listening to music on the go.
I would then go for a walk, every day, with listening to the music that you have and even if you get tired, keep going and keep going; especially now being summer for you guys, I'm sure the weather is great!
Cutting out pop will indeed really help as well, as your sugar intake will be cut-down significantly. Despite it also containing a ton of sugar, I would suggest eating a bunch of grapes every day or even have a glass of wine or grape juice every day, as that will help with your blood pressure and make sure that the blood is flowing, so that your blood can perform and carry oxygen effectively, on your walks (and you'll be less-tired/have more stamina).
I know the feeling of weight gain and how it can make you feel crappy; have dealt with it all my life. When I was 208 lbs in 2009, I was over the moon that I had lost almost 40 pounds in the previous year and that number went down to 192 at its lowest... but it didn't last, because as soon as I was diagnosed with cancer and had my cancer surgery, the weight went right back up
.
I currently sit at 255 pounds or so (115 kg, I think) at 6'0 and while I am absolutely overweight, I eat very healthily and it is more due to my job (my BP was taken last year and it was inline with what a 15 year-old teenager would be, something like 113/75, at this same weight), as I sit around for 8+ hours a day. Christmas goodies and large meals had me put on about 13 pounds in a month (which happens every year), but I started boxing again (went on hiatus for about 3 months, as the chain for my bag broke and with lockdown, I couldn't get a replacement hook until right before Christmas. Funnily-enough, my chain broke again last week lol, but I purchased a backup when I got the replacement before Christmas, so I'll be back at it tomorrow) and in 2 months, once the ice finally starts to melt, I'll be walking to work and back 4 days a week again, so I should be back to 240ish by the summer and possibly even-lower.
Food is such a wonderful thing, but diet really does dictate over 75% of your body; it's why with just a bit of walking everyday, you should be able to start losing the pounds and that can lead to even bigger leaps, like running/jogging and possibly even getting into weights and the like.
Don't give up, Dan; things may never be the absolute best they can, but they can always improve and if you make the best of ay situation (I know, a shitty sitch is a shitty sitch), even just the outlook can help out a ton; you've acknowledged where you need to improve and you know what to do, so I would say to put your best foot forward and go for it!