This is just general advice so feel free to discard it if you wish.
I would get a PPL before starting the ATPL theory and the rest of it. Why? To go and learn about flying and more importantly, go and have some fun. You want to learn to fly because you want to fly. Go and enjoy yourself for a bit before getting all serious with the ATPL. (psst, Australia's great too for hour building, booze and food
)
Now you'll have half an idea what lift is, what drag is, what flaps do etc. You'll have seen some weather and the like. Now the ATPL's make a little (not much mind you) bit of sense. This background is very useful to assist you in the theory side of the ATPL.
After you've got the exams out of the way, go and get some hours up. Now, with your ppl and your head full of theory stuff, test it out. Set yourself some challenges and see if you can keep your skills up. You'll get a lot more out of your flying than just burning Avgas doing circles.
Good luck