Hi hunny, welcome to the forum!!
It sounds like you're really determined, which is awesome!! I know how you feel with people saying you'll never be thin. Being thin would be great, but like you, I had some people in my life saying "you'll never be thin."
Let's just use it as fuel for our determination!! We'll show them who can be thin, healthy and happy!!
It's weird how our men don't have a weight problem... well that's not entirely true, my man is actually slightly underweight!! He eats like a HORSE!!! Always munching on something, and never puts it on!! URGH!!! It doesn't matter what I cook him!! I make sure he eats loads of protein and carbs, and NOTHING!! Not an ounce!!
Anyway, Good luck on your journey hun. And remember... The answer to that question "Did you lose weight?" is (with a smile) "I might have done." That way you're accepting the compliment, and eventually you'll come to love it