I need your help imgur

I need your help imgur

1st: Please do not upvote this, if anything please downvote. I do not want to karma whore!

2nd: A few months ago I posted that I am embarrassed by my weight and only wish that I could change but lack the dedication to change. That is where you come in imgurites! I have only gotten more upset by my body condition and need to make a change but I don't know where to start!

Here is what I am looking for
1.) proper dieting (I have tried paleo dieting and keep failing, quite miserably)
2.) ways to beat the cravings (I mean simple sugars and carbs)
3.) how to keep myself dedicated (I know this comes mostly from me but if anyone has anything that works/worked for them that would be great!)
3rd: A little about myself. I am a 21 YO male college student and a D3 athlete (tennis). The tennis season is what is making me decide to change now as I have mandatory 6 days per week practice and my hope is that the habits I am building to now will carry over after the season and the exercise I get now I can transfer to later.

My goals:
1.) I don't care about a target weight, I just want to look good, feel good and fit into my favorite t-shirt which is pretty tight now :(
2.) That being said, I have a grad school interview in 3 weeks and want to lose 5 pounds by then (pretty tough and contradictory but I think I can do it!)
3.) build healthy habits of eating right and exercising.

My plan now:
1.) exercise comes from tennis practice
2.) track calories with MyFitnessPal
3.) no simple sugars and reduced simple carbs

I know I am asking a lot but any help you can give would be greatly appreciated!