Starting Out

If you're reading this, chances are you are interested in losing weight and achieving better health.  Congratulations!  It is EXCELLENT that you are doing something about your weight.  Getting it down to a normal range will take care of a number of personal, physical and social issues.  SO MUCH better than taking different medications for different symptoms, all of which have their own side effects.  It was so nice when I called up the doctor and told him - "Thanks, but no thanks.  I don't want to take any medications anymore, I just want to live a more healthy lifestyle."  Obviously I had to back that up with bloodwork and monitoring blood pressure, but he agreed that it was all looking good or headed in the right direction.  That happened after only a couple of months of eating really well and regular exercise!  

A PLAN
You need a plan.  If you can afford it, I would suggest engaging a personal trainer just for an additional measure of help and accountability.  In terms of cost, it's a lot less expensive for a trainer than for dealing with all of the symptoms of an unhealthy lifestyle.  But if you still can't afford that, there is PLENTY of good information around on healthy eating and solid exercise plans.  Whatever you do, you need a plan or you're planning to fail.  Take a few hours and put it together.  The plan is something like "I will do strength training 3 times a week and cardio twice a week on these specific days" and then spell out which exercises you will do.  And for eating, planning is also the key to success.  You absolutely can't just leave it to chance that you'll make some healthy eating choices on a daily basis.  You need to plan out your week, choose some healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, write them down, go to the store and make sure you have the food on hand both at home and at work.  And get rid of all the soda, refined carbohydrates, sugary foods, unhealthy fatty foods from your house.  

SUPPORT
Get some support - from family, books, the Internet, podcasts, etc.  Take an active interest in your health.  There is some conflicting info out there, but overall the principle of making plans to move more and avoid bad foods is tried and true.  Follow almost any plan and you'll improve, then you can do the research and get better over time.  

Simple Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Sparkpeople
Men's Health 52 Day Challenge (I love this group)
Total Health and Fitness (if you're in Utah, I worked with Bryce as my personal trainer)

So get out there and do it!!