about which exercise video to try. I honestly have not exercised in over a year and decided that I want to start with a video (this way I can huff and puff in the privacy of my own home without the neighborhood watching, since I now found myself out of breath walking to my car). I went to Target and there were just too many to choose from, so I decided that I would ask to see if anyone can recommend one for a very out-of-shape person. Thanks!

For absolute beginners, I've heard "Walking away the Pounds" is great.

Thank you...I saw those . I want to get a couple of different types so that I can switch around to have some variety.

A few good instructors to look at are:

Kathy Smith
Denise Austin
Gin Miller

These ladies have been doing workout videos for ever and are really good. Kathy Smith is especially good for beginners.

Good luck!

I started out with Tony Little . . . I don't know if anyone else has tried them before, but I found it great that there were the options of beginner, intermediate and advanced on each exercise, and you went as much as you could while walking in place or something until the next one started.

I haven't heard much mention of them or if they are still available to purchase, but it was where I started and it was great for me.

You really cannot beat Walk Away the Pounds as you begin. I did the 3 mile ADVANCED today. I really like it on days like today when it's Icy. Do not underestimate the power of walking. Before you invest too much, you may want to check out the channels you already have coming into your home. If you have FIT TV or Free On Demand you have exercise classes anytime you want them. Even if you only want to get up and try to bellydance for five minutes--or do strength training for two minutes or whatever. All those minutes add up!!!

Hey also--look for ways to incorporate more movement into your every day life. Bend down to get something you drop rather than leaving it for later, get down and clean out the cabinets you have been putting off to later, go window shopping, whatever! All those things add up too!!! Just ask Lori259 or look at her stats!!!

Thank you all so much for the feedback. I really was clueless about what to start with. I know that if I get one that is incredibly intense for a beginner, it would be on the shelf and never watched again.

Thighs-thanks for all of the ideas, because I always forget about the everday things I could do to burn calories ...I have a house full of unorganized closets and it's probably about time to work on them and it would keep me moving for awhile.

Thanks again!!!

You are very welcome. I got after it on my house too when I first began. I REALLY need to get back to that again.

OP, if you wnat to preview soem videos, got to collagevideo.com. Most if not all the videos there have a Preiview link that shows you a little bit of the video. Taht way, you cna get an idea if it's too hard for you.

Good luck! The first step's the hardest. To quote Tony Little, "You can do it!"

I just recently got into Jackie Warner 1-on-1 - there's three workouts on the DVD that cost less than $10 from Walmart on-line. I've done the lower body workout twice now and I'm slower than she is and don't opt to use weights yet, but man alive, my legs are sore!!! I really like how she tells you how you can make it harder as you get stronger. I haven't tried her Personal Training video yet, although I did get it for Christmas as well and plan to try it soon.

Walmart has almost all their workout videos for $9 this week. They are in the fitness and outdoors department not the movie section. Can't hardly go wrong with that. I had to resist since I have a drawer full of ones I don't use.

I really enjoy the Walk Away the Pounds. Its great for beginners and its easy to use. I get super lost and confused when I do a lot of workout videos especially when they go fast. But hers is a no brainer. Even when you are tired from a long day at work and your brain isnt function well you can follow along. LOL
I got the one that has 1,2,3,and 4 miles on it and I love it plus I have another one of hers that has 5 different ones on it. I mix them up so I dont get bored and neither does my body.
Whatever you do good luck with it!