gotta loose wieght, and get in shape

Im new to this site and seeing that Im 56 I hope Im in the right place. I just retierd in Dec, and since Im starting a new phase in my life, I want to add a new me to that phase. I quit smoking, and am now seeing a doctor in order to get the cholesteral, and blood pressure down, and the pounds off. I need to lose 100 lbs, Im 5ft 9inchs tall, and have always been able to hold 190 lbs well, right now Im 290, so the extra 100lbs has to go. I just bought a very good rowing machine, and a Bowflex machine to help me get back in shape, any advice as to how long each day I should work-out, and how many days per week? Right now Im thinking 20 mins per day, five days a week on each machine would be a good start.? Also any advice on diet will be greatly appriciated. I've read that even though Im working out, diet is still the most important part of a complete wieght-loss program!!?? I'd like to try and loose 10lbs a month, or is that too ambitius? Anyway it's good to be here, and I hope to learn alot.
Paul

If it's worth doin, it's worth doin right.

Paul,

Welcome to the "old enough to know better" forum!

10 lbs a month for a man your age is possible, but not realistic. It's going to take 1-2 years to get the weight off, so focus on developing good habits rather than the exact numbers. Good habist will result in a gradual change to where you want to be.

As for diet, it's pretty common sense. Fruits and vegeatables, whole grains, lean meats, etc. When I want to lose weight I cut out the following: Fried foods, alcohol, soda, and cheese. There's a 5th one, but I can't remeber it at the moment.

If you starve yourself, yur body will fight you and your muscle's won't grow. Figure out about how many calories you burn, and cut 15% off that. NO MORE.

That's the nickel's worth of free advice! Good luck!

"Eat Less, Exericise More"

Where's MY book deal?

(hi Paul!  - this is Al, tawney's husband)
I want you to read my thread:

http://www.discussbodybuilding.com/HRT_works/m_372785/tm.htm

I just posted it, and we both have 50 views, with NO responses for me and only ONE for you- so I know how you feel. Yes I'm only 40, not 65 but I'll bet ya that at your advanced age you are probably in need of HRT (for low testosterone) and would benefit greatly from including a doctor approved hormone supplimentation to your new "get healthly lifestyle plan".

I can tell you for sure that it will help. Either way you really do have a 1-2 year journey ahead of you, but with the proper hormone levels in your body to put you at for example an 800 total testosterone level as opposed to a frail 200, will have a snowball effect on your progress this year.

JMO

Start with the 20 minutes and see how it feels.  When it gets too easy for you crank it up a bit.  You may want to get a physical, if you haven't all ready just to make sure you are good to go.  For the first while, you should notice the weight coming off pretty fast, but it will fade to a 2lb or less per week if you keep at it.  Don't be discouraged, slow and steady will win this race.  If you ever get up to a longer workout time, keep it under the 1 hour mark, this includes weights and cardio.  Good luck finding a new you.

Live Your Life...on your schedule 
Bodyweight Routines 
In as little as 4 minutes a day.
http://247fitness.bodybot.hop.clickbank.net