>>1
I don't want to be some kind of Tony Robbins asshole telling you what to do, but if you're smart enough to get a master's in comp sci, you have options. I'd work on the physical thing first because you'll have more energy to do things. You'll need it. Additionally, you will get more respect from ape-folk. For a start, just fill 4 litre juice jugs or something similar with water and hold them at arms length until exhaustion a couple of times a day, and go for walks; escalate to runs. You will give up a few times. Think about trying again until you're dreaming about it at night. Wash conscientiously.
I'm not familiar with British law, but if it's a lawsuit and not a criminal charge you're dealing with, just get an entry-level shit job where they don't need a reference for a year or so. Lie about your level of experience/training (say you have less) or they'll be suspicious and won't hire you. Practice your story before you talk to anyone; deviate from the truth only where necessary (less to remember). This job probably won't directly involve programming - you'll likely be some kind of gofer. Finish your daily work fast and fill the rest of the time by programming something useful for your employer. Initiative is rarely punished. Work hard to impress your new employer, but remember that loyalty does not exist in a business; you should move on as soon as possible. Do not engage with women unless absolutely necessary. Because you are obese, the threshold for harassment will remain low for some time.
Listen to Kraftwerk in secret.
Losing 10 or 20 pounds and getting a year of experience in the new gap under your belt will make you more hireable. Use this. After that, it's basically repeat until bored. Get fitter and more experienced until you can start a business, either because you have saved enough to live on for a while or because others trust you enough to invest in you.
A new business has a 9 in 10 chance of failure. This means that to have more than a 50% chance of success, you will have to start 7 businesses. Determination is important here. Very few well-off people succeeded on their first try; this is because a little bad luck can destroy a new business easily. Be ready for destruction.
Because this is
/prog/, some people will tell you to give up. That's an option, but please consciously choose whether you want a life that's easier in the moment and ultimately unrewarding (since in this unfortunate world money brings freedom, which I think is what you're after), or a life that is shit fucking hard for a long time but has a range of outcomes almost all of which are more enjoyable.
Most of all remember that it's not all that hard. People much stupider than you have made it just be refusing to give up. Zeal and Fury.