Hey everyone

I recently had quite the wake up call (in the form of realizing exactly how badly I'm setting myself up for serious health problems) and I want to take, really, my first-ever serious stab at getting down to a healthy weight.
I am a 24-year-old in my senior year of college going for a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Security. I do spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen, and the last time I did exercise, it was a half-mile walk about two weeks ago. Before that..I really can't tell you the last time I exercised; I hate exercising. I have not eaten healthy either - I am extremely picky about salads (if it's even a bit limp I won't touch it) and my favorite dressing is regular Ranch, not fat-free or whatnot. Most of the food I eat is prepared or fried, I also love potatoes (mashed or fried, not a fan of baked potatoes strangely). I live with my parents while I am in school, and I have always mentally told myself 'you're young, you can lose the weight easily if you tried' and 'you can diet once you get your own place, it's too hard to control what you eat while you live at home'.
No more excuses.
I HAVE to make this work, falling off the wagon is not an option for me. With a BMI over 40 now and a family history of both obesity and obesity-related diseases, I have to make these changes while I am still fairly young. I do not want to have to get bariactric surgery like my mother and my aunt nor do I want to end up with diabetes or high blood pressure like other relatives. I half-heartedly tried The Biggest Loser Club once and found the community lacking and rather exclusive, I felt quite on the outside and ended up canceling. It's going to be difficult for me, but this is a change I truly want to make.
Sorry for the long-windedness, I never really know what to put in introductory posts.