Congrats to you :)
I won't lie, it was very hard for me. I hate vegetables. So much that they make me gag. But when I hit 35 I knew it was time to stop eating like an 18 year old and pull up my big girl pants and find a way to do it. I knew I couldn't eat them. Salad dressing was even worse tasting than the veggies! So i bought a nutribullet. I added the fruits and veggies, blended them up, and prayed it would taste ok. Thankfully it didn't taste half bad
The hard part was detoxing off the bad stuff. I was seriously addicted to bread and sugar. Bread might as well be sugar since that's what it turns into in order for the body to process it. My poor brain craved them so much that it tried to talk me into getting one more soda or one more sandwich. Once I figured out that was happening, I could talk myself out it.
After a week and a half the cravings went away. My green drinks started tasting better too and I had more energy. Next I cut out cheese and I stopped cooking with milk and switched to almond milk.
So yes, its hard at first and while I did go gluten free, I still had small portions of chips to keep me away from sugary stuff while i detoxed. Now I don't really like chips anymore. they're too salty.
For exercise, I started off with walking. I read not to do anything strenuous while I detoxed and my body got used to the new diet. It said do a minimum of 30 minutes a day but no more than 60. I also started yoga.
After 30 days I started adding more cardio and free weights.
I would say do anything you consider fun and enjoyable because you'll want to do them. I had so much energy at one point I had to jog around my house. It was 117 degrees out so I couldn't go for my walk yet.
The big turning point for me was when I read about the cravings and how you'll "talk" your way into eating the junk again. I wish I could tell you it was easy. You will feel bad during detox, you will be tired, you might get headaches or even body aches. Your brain will do everything it can to make you feel miserable so you'll buy that can of soda or that candy bar or whatever. But if you can hold out for a week or 2, it will get so much better.
I am now completely dairy and gluten free. I avoid all grains for the most part with the exception of rice which I only eat occasionally. I cant eat much junk now because it makes me feel sick. Im ok with that :) I still walk my dog everyday but we also hike 2 to 3 times a week. Sometimes I swim or play Just Dance on the Wii with my kids. I still do yoga too.
Best of luck to you!