Good for you for taking inventory and choosing to make changes. Come here for support, get it anywhere you can, sista! I would like to suggest that your feeling ashamed is displaced. Your family is shaming you. That is an external source of shame, a loop tape you've heard over and over. Turn off that recording. Stop letting the feelings of others become your true feelings. You are setting a marvelous example to your children about health, nutrition, courage, facing ridicule and soldiering on. You go, girl, go! Keep up the good work. Hug yourself every step of the way.
Thanks :-) quitting mountain dew was the hardest thing ever. My Dr was impressed that I did it lol. Because he described my addiction to mountain dew being the equivalent of alcohol to an alcoholic.
I agree that you should stop letting the ridicule get to you, though I know from experience, that's easier said than done.
Getting yourself healthy and at a good weight, is an excellent lesson for your kids. Better that they learn to eat things that are good for them, now, while they are young than to end up overweight, as adults.
Your mom is wrong about your efforts to exercise; aside from burning calories, exercise helps keep blood sugar levels in check, helps prevent heart attack, as well as other benefits. As for hubby being afraid that you will become someone different, a lot of things can change us, or make us feel differently. Even getting your culinary degree can change you. The good thing is that, both, getting your degree and the weight loss can/will make you a better, healthier person........... go for it; we're here to support you in whatever way we can.