Best way to go vegan?

I'm lactose intolerant, and I don't enjoy meat, I also have a lot of food allergies. I'm tired of feeling so sick all the time from dairy, however, It's hard to be a vegan in my family because they are meat eaters and love dairy products. They are also highly unsupportive of my decision. That really isn't an issue to me, the issues is I'm trying to stop eating cheese, and butter. I've had a really hard time cutting it out and don't know how. I've been eating dairy for my entire life. How can cut these foods out? Should I give it up and not look back, or transition? I don't drink milk, or eat eggs. and that has been ok. I think I just haven't found a good cheese substitute. Help?