What is the best way to begin a healthier lifestyle and stay motivated? I am 40-smoking-couch potatoe?

Question

never was one for sweating or working out -- what is the best way to A-stop smoking B-eat healthier C-start working out and D-stay motivated

Answer 1

I am 47. I was an OVER two pack a day smoking, couch potato for many years. On January 2nd I quit smoking for good. I used the patch. To keep myself from smoking and keep myself busy I cleaned my entire apartment spotless. Essentially, I "de-smoked" it, washing down every piece of furniture, washing everything made of fabric, the works. The change in smell made me less want to smoke. I then did that with my car. (You have no idea how awful you smell until you quit). From then on, if someone who smoked walked past me I could smell the awful stink on them. It made me more determined. I also wrote a note of how much I spent on cigarettes a year taped it to the fridge. It was enough to go on a couple great vacations. After that, I joined the gym. At first, I seldom went. Then I made a deal with myself that I would go and just walk on the treadmill for a half hour. It turned into an hour. Then it turned into that and weights and the elliptical machine. I started to see some changes so I kept going. I notice an ENORMOUS difference just walking up stairs (my breathing and muscles and energy). I am presently trying to drop 20 pounds. I was never really fat and people would not even call me overweight. I just want to achieve lean muscle and am doing it slowly. I would suggest you start by quitting smoking and joining a gym and forget trying to change your diet yet. That is too much at once. Eat all you want. Best thing to do is to have a buddy system though. See if someone will do it with you or get a trainer at the gym. If you start now you could be WAY healthier by summer. I would be glad to encourage you if you want to email me. If I can do it ANYONE can.

Answer 2

Take it one step at a time. I would start by incorporating ONE healthy tip or step each week. Do not try to do it all at once or all by yourself. You are going to need a support group with this, whether it is your family, weight watchers, or a smoking cessation group.

Example:
Week One: Vow to walk 30 minutes a day. It can be with the family pet, around the mall (but no shopping), around the block, etc. And if that is too much start smaller and vow to add one minute of walking each day.

Week Two: While continuing to follow the goal set for week one add a vow to add more vegetables to your diet. This may be adding a vegetable to dinner or lunch everyday.

Week Three: Continue with goals one and two and add the goal to try a smoking cessation device like the patch, gum, etc.

You need to realize that change is not going to happen overnight. And that it takes at least 21 days to create a new habit good or bad. Motivation is going to have to come from how you feel, how your clothes feel, a sense of accomplishment and knowing that by making these small changes every week you are going to be around a lot longer for your family and friends than if you were to do nothing. I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions..

Answer 3

I'm going on 37, and I quit smoking and lost 82 pounds as well.
The smoking is the hard part, but I wrote a book on how to lose the weight without having to exercise.
It's called The Logic Diet.
It's the easiest plan you'll ever see, and if you use it, you'll definitely lose all the weight you need and learn to keep it off the rest of your life.
If you try it out, then email me and I'll talk to you about smoking too!
Go to:
www.thelogicdiet.com

Answer 4

A. make the decision you are going to stick with it, make a list of the pros of quitting, and the cons of continuing. If need be use a quit assist program. I was not able to quit cold turkey. Make a chart so you can mark each day you make it. Make a note of the day you quit. This made a huge difference for me. It helped me stay motivated to not pick up a cigarette.
At the beginning it was I made it one day, surely I can make it another. Later it was I do not want to throw out all those good days!
If you "relapse" Do Not Give Up.
B. Do not keep unhealthy food in you house, do not eat out. As you quit smoking you will find it much more enjoyable to taste really fresh, healthy foods.
C. If possible get a "work out" buddy. You do not have to join a club. Walk, vary your route. Get some weights (just dumb-bells),
and use them, check out work out videos from your library and make good use of them. Set a goal, and do the chart thing.
D. I have found charts to be very helpful as I mark off each day or item I have accomplished. It keeps me motivated, does not really allow me to deceive myself.
Wish you the best!

Answer 5

Take a look in the mirror and say goodbye. You aren't lazy or lack motivation: you've just dedicated your energy to smoking, eating crap, and lounging around. You can use that same dedication to eat well and work out. Go join a gym, set some goals (weight loss, run a marathon, get muscular), and stop feeling sorry for yourself. Once you've made the decision to end your crap lifestyle, you'll do it.

Answer 6

well thats a lot of drastic improvements....but you can do it!! give yourself a goal and a deadline. plan a trip or something and have yourself be free and clear of all these things before the trip. if you dont like to sweat then try changing you routine, walk to work, take walks at night.
when you go to the grocery store only buy healthy foods, or have someone shop for you. this will make it easier because the food wont be as acessible. good luck

Answer 7

Bananna, Apples, Pears, Grapes, Strawberries, Blue Berries, Blakc Berries, Tomatos, Cucumbers, carrots, ect. ect.

Answer 8

A. buy nicarette, throw out smokes
B. buy fruits, eat them
c. get outside and run, join a gym (dont go too crazy)
d. idk, you have to figure that one out yourself, maybe do it with friends