Time to bump this thread before the new year. I really enjoyed reading about all of your journeys and it really has helped me hearing your stories and tips. I was athletic when younger and then let my weight and health deteriorate a bit in my mid to late 30s. My mom visited me like a year and a half ago and she was walking 20,000 steps every day so that made me stop making excuses and motivated me to get into better shape. I am around 6' tall and was between 235-240 at that time.
I was going to run for my cardio but I guess in the last 10 years, I had forgotten how to run. My calves were exploding after just walking and running off and on for a mile and half. I ended up hiking several times a week instead of running and started working out to some dumb bell youtube workout videos to get some strength exercises going.
Over the past 9 months or so, I have added a short 10-15 minute jump rope and body weight exercise work out to start the day. During my two 15 minute work breaks, I'll go for a walk. In the evenings, I'll either go to the gym or hike or do another jump rope workout. I've been using the FitBod app and I have enjoyed it a lot. It gives recommendations on exercises for the workout and how much weight to use.
For my diet, I went from eating out probably 6 times a week to 1 time. I'm having a lot of smoothies, oven roasted chicken, kahlua pork (easy crock pot recipe) and lots of fruits and vegetables. I've been trying to cut out the snacking/sodas although this time of year is difficult with all of the work gifts of cookies, taffy, sausage/cheese filling up the break room.
I'm now around 195-200 pounds and am feeling great. I still want to tighten things up a bit more but I really am enjoying the exercises that I'm doing and I like the food that I'm eating so it seems like it can be sustainable. For all of you who might have gotten on the wrong track with your health/weight, hopefully this thread can help you like it helped me. Good luck on the journey!