I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all thing that will work. Technically I "should" lose 115 pounds but if I do that, at this stage, I'll be all floppy skin and that will cause its own problems? Too, the Biggest Loser contestants have to exercise 6+ hours a day to maintain their weight loss and at this age, I cannot see doing that to gain extra years, assuming that it too would not cause other snowball bad effects. There's a definite balance between lifestyle and how much you "enjoy" it versus how much effort you want to put out to gain a few extra years of that new lifestyle that you don't now have or particularly want? Change of any sort, stopping smoking, eating less, exercising more, etc. will have to be maintained and I don't want that lifestyle, ever! I enjoy my food and have no problem learning to eat more healthy, I've done that, and now I easily maintain my weight rather than gain. But eating "less" and exercising more (as in my signature :-) just isn't what I want!

I think the best idea I have for motivating myself is to focus on what I want, rather than on what I don't want. But "living longer" is not a clear cut goal? How about, "I want to learn to enjoy fish" if you think eating more fish will help you live longer? Then you take a continuing ed course at the junior college on cooking fish (been there, done that, cooked a salmon with mango chutney to die for and I had "thought" I did not like salmon before :-) or buy 3 different kinds of tuna/fish dinners and see which you prefer most, etc. Make it fun.

Related science that you are on the right track :-) http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=60659