I've avoided talking too much about this because I don't want to come off as some kind of expert, but the questions about it just keep rolling in, so I'm going to outline what I've done as much as I can. If it provides some inspiration, then I'm happy for that - however, It's important that I preface this with the following statement: this worked FOR ME. Everyone is different, I'm not an expert. Everyone should talk a Dr before doing any kind of weight loss/exercise regimen.
In May I was 233lbs and my diabetes was NOT under control (at all). I was having some severe physical repercussions from that and decided it was time to stop being stupid and get back on track. I started eating for my diagnosis. No sugar, no 'white foods' (Pasta, bread, potatoes, etc). I wasn't too focused on calories or fat content, just monitoring my blood sugar and keeping my numbers in an acceptable range. Between May and August, my A1C (look it up) went from 11.1 to 5.6 and my weight had dropped to 213lbs. That blood work also showed a slightly high cholesterol number, so my Dr. suggested I begin exercising. I felt comfortable that I'd found a sustainable rhythm with my diet (sustainable being the key word - I had to find foods that would not affect my blood sugar that I enjoyed eating - this had to be long term), and I knew that going to the gym was not ever going to be in the 'sustainable' category. Walking, however, was something I loved doing - I just hadn't made the choice to make time for it (in case you didn't know, we choose what's important to us and make time for those things - when we say "I'd like to, but I don't have time", it isn't that important). I started out by walking around my family room - the size and layout of the room creates a pretty good walking track. Using my Apple watch, I started tracking my activity each day. I found that (on average), when the watch was tracking at least 10 miles of activity each day, I was losing weight. That's not 10 miles of power walking mind you, that includes walking around Publix, and the general activities I would do each day, in addition to the 'power walking' I would do in the family room. The 'power walks' are more aerobic - I walk at a pace where I get my heart rate up to about 120 or so and sustain that for at least 30 minutes. I do that twice a day, whether walking around the house or walking around the neighborhood (which is much better). I've found my balance with diet and exercise to maintain the weight I'm at now - which is about 180lbs. Much of my weight was because of inactivity. Walking a few miles first thing in the morning seems to jump start my metabolism, and doing the same thing at night helps me get a solid 7 or 8 hours of good restful sleep. I've also found that I'm sleeping during normal hours - no more 3am bedtime. That seems to be making a difference as well. The big difference here is that everything I'm doing I ENJOY. It's not a chore. I like the foods I'm eating, I love the walking - I feel better physically, I feel better mentally and spiritually. Walking is great meditation - its a great way to think through everything thats going on in your life while letting out the energy that stress and other less attractive emotions generate. I also don't rest on my laurels. I have to stay committed, one day at a time, to taking care of myself. It's very easy to revert back into old patterns. There are days I have to challenge myself - when I don't feel like doing anything, but there are also times where its okay for me to take a break.
This is what has worked FOR ME. Again, everyone is different and I'm not an expert. No one, and I mean NO ONE should try to mimic this - take inspiration from it, talk to you Dr., try different things and find out what will work for you. Look for a sustainable solution that you enjoy, makes sense within the details of your life and follow it. That's the best advice I could give.
Pete