Quitting cigs and booze was the best thing I ever done did. Good thing I didn't have a very long stint with drinking that shit. Considering the lifestyle changes are a good start, then just start making the changes. Quitting cigs may be the hardest so I would go as far as to suggest (this is if you are not a heavy drinker, if you are, get off the sauce first) to start exercising regularly, and make small changes in the diet. By small I mean start subtracting processed foods little by little. For example, say you eat a pint of ice cream 4 times per week. Start by eating 3, and perhaps switch to sorbet, or something with less fat and HFCS (high fructose corn syrup). Then, instead of eating at the deli at lunch every day, either pick a healthier option, or pack a lunch that you actually made. As it turns out, studies have shown that digestion begins in the brain, and begins when you prepare your food. Do this a couple times per week, so 2 out of 5 days. Slow, easy steps. IN the mean time, get a gym membership, and pay 6 months in advance with cash. If a membership costs $60 per month that's $240+ bucks, and if you are like me, you're going to get that value back by utilizing the gym.
As you make progress, you will start to FEEL better, your mood may become more balanced, you may even find yourself thinking about what you will make for your next lunch, what you will do at the gym, how pretty your girl is or how handsome your man is. You may start feeling greater appreciation for them. It's a really nice benefit that goes largely unmentioned.
Do that for about 3 months, then subtract more ice cream, another crap food, and and add in more natural foods. Say you started exercising 3 days per week, add another. Say you are doing 3 sets per exercise, go with four sets on your FAVORITE exercise. Remember, find the joy in working out, start with what you like to do. And for cardio, go for walks in the neighborhood, walk to the store if its in reasonable distance. If you abhor the treadmill, or the stationary bike, but like taking walks along the creek down the street, do that.
It won't be long until you need a smaller belt. Drill a hole in it instead of buying a new one. Each time you put that belt on, you will be reminded of the progress you have made. It feels good, especially once you've drilled a bunch of holes. At this point, your significant other may find you a bit more attractive, feeling your swollen delts, bulging biceps, hard glutes, inflated quads and chiseled chest. Well maybe not quite yet, but soon if you continue to eat right and exercise four to five days per week. That hour or two you spend exercising instead sitting on the couch eating crap will pay off with big dividends.
At this point in time, or even before, you start researching the studies on TRT. You look into the risks associated with testosterone replacement, as well as the benefits. You research estrogen control, and the use of HCG, and whether or not you think you will need it based on your research. Ask questions here on MG too, ask about training, diets for weight loss, rant about shit going on in your life if you want. Remember, there is no cookie cutter here, you must get to know your body, here you will find great starting points.
Now, its time to get you blood work done, I mean it's been 6 months already and you've just paid for another 6 months gym membership. As a matter of fact you may have absolutely made sure you paid on time, you don't want to miss leg day for missing your payment, you have a PR to beat this week! Make appointment with the doctor, or order your bloods online. Its easy as cutting hot butter with an axe! Get your results and if you are going through a doctor, get her or his opinion. The doctor you choose, by the way is important as well, they are not all on the same page. If you do not have a doctor and order your bloods online, post up the results here, and I am sure you will get a sane opinion as to what's next.
Whatever the results, keep going, keep on trucking. You get to create yourself as you go, it's pretty fucking cool if you ask me