Diabetes, Hypertension, and COPD - announcing my goal to help me succeed

I smoked most of my life. I started when I was about 10. By 16 I was a pack a day smoker. Sometimes two packs a day. I really enjoyed smoking throughout most of my life, unless I was in the Urgent Care, doubled over with acute Bronchitis. Tried to quit numerous times in the past, but was unable to, until about ten or so years ago when my right lung collapsed completely. Eight days in the hospital with a chest tube, morphine, steroids and heavy doses of anti-biotics I was able to quit smoking. Haven’t smoked since. Haven’t had the desire to or any cravings for it.
Fast forward ten or so years. I have gained nearly 100 pounds, have been diagnosed with COPD, Hypertension, Diabetes and the wonderful ailments that go with it like edema (swelling and fluid retention) in the lower legs, neuropathy (mainly in the legs), and high cholesterol. Had to stop taking the cholesterol drugs when it was determined that I had some adverse reactions to them (after 5 years) causing an increase to one of the blood proteins called creatine kinase. This little addition added some wonderful and very painful muscle cramps throughout my body for several weeks. The severe cramps started 5 months after I stopped taking the cholesterol drugs. Not including the cholesterol drugs, I take 9 prescription medications today, plus sleep with an oxygen generator to keep my O2 above the level of respiratory failure.
So recently I started monitoring my blood sugar again and fear that the next Dr. visit will have me on insulin between meals. Been reading up on different diets and schemes to lower the blood sugar, lose weight, etc. Looking for the easy way out. So here I am today, September 30, 2018, the eve of October the first, 2018. My lovely wife of 35 years has been very patient, caring and loving throughout our marriage. Quietly prodding me to lose weight as the pounds piled on. (I love to cook and eat food!) So last week I broke down and ordered the NutriSystem for men with diabetes. Started today! The food is not bad. You eat a small deliberate portion every 2 hours or so. Mostly the prepared food that they sell you, but supplemented with fresh vegetables, fruits, etc. You can add smart carbs, lean proteins, all the vegies you can imagine. And I can still have my two cups of black coffee in the mornings…
OK, so why am I telling the world this? It is because I have committed to lose weight and I now have a goal. Much the same as quitting smoking 10 years ago, my goal today is to lose 100 pounds and get off of the ten prescription medications I currently take daily. We both retired this year and are looking forward to watching our youngest grandchildren grow up. I want…I need to be around for the next 10 or 20 years to see them grow up. So, announcing my goal is to help force myself to succeed.
Thanks for listening. Will update monthly if I can.