Alrighty.. I figure I've taken the first step .. admitting I need help. So, here I go.

I've been trying to get motivated to start exercising on a regular basis. Unfortunately (as I know you all understand) at 304 lbs it's hard to do much serious exercise without getting winded and seriously feeling worthless. I've started dieting and watching what I eat (Pepsi is a big biiiiig problem for me; I've switched to diet now. That's something right?)

I guess what I'm asking is...how do you start exercising? I mean.. obviously, "a journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step".. but I mean.. do you guys do for exercise? I'm looking for inspiration and motivation, I guess.

:sigh: So overwhelming.

I am 235 lbs so running is hard for me. I find that an elliptical trainer is easier as as a stationary bike. I suggest dancing and walking as ways to get started...

Wow, MissyAnne,
How freaky is this? I'm also 304.
this is what I do:
I do between 45-80 minutes of wii. I love wii sports and wii sports resort. I'm hoping to get wii cheer in the next few weeks.
15 minutes of free weights
Through some yoga in there when I'm feeling it, not when I have my TOM though
Walk 1/2 miles, as many as I can, some days are better than others.
I have various workout videos too.

Here's how I changed my outlook. It sounds like you look at excercise like a chore, find something you like, I look at is as a reward. When I excercise, it's my time. I put on my headphones and get into whatever I'm doing. No hubby, no kids, no phone, no job, just me. It's WONDERFUL. My decisions, my power, my growth, my enjoyment. You have to embrace these changes in your life.

If I handed you a million dollars, would you be excited, would you be motivated? Well, YOU are worth a million dollars+, reward yourself by taking care of yourself.

Make yourself accountable, POST on the excercise thread. It helps you and reminds you that you are adding to the greater good. We are looking to go over the 19,474 of last January and the total for each additional month, be a part of what we are doing. Let me tell you about the people on this thread and on this website. They are amazing, they will help you, be there for you, listen, suggest, motivate, encourage.

Anytime you need anything, feel free to contact me. Reach out for help, it's here and then get moving, if it's it 10 minutes a day, it'll add up before you know it.

I look forward to seeing you around here and often.

Yeah, what she said!

What has worked for me so far has been to keep experimenting with different types of exercise until I found a little something I really like. I've tried biking, walking, dancing, and roller skating so far, and I've found I really enjoyed roller skating, but I've been sidelined from that due to a broken ankle. My orthopedist told me I can start doing my workouts in water next week, though, so that's one more thing I get to try.

Whatever you do, treat yourself to a nice set of workout clothes that you like, and add some music to make it fun. There are some great suggestions for music on another thread on this board! Remember how much you used to look forward to recess when you were in school? Well, now, exercise is your recess. Enjoy it! At this point, it really doesn't matter if you're a world-class athlete, as long as you're moving.

And, of course, we're always here for you! No one here is going to judge you. Share your successes, as well as your struggles. We're all happy to answer any questions you have. Good luck and welcome to a new level of fitness!

Hi missyann,

Changing from Pepsi to Diet Pepsi is a major step. Congrats!

I'm 340 and have been struggling most with exercise in my quest to lose weight. I was in pain daily and horribly out of shape. Each time I would start exercise I started with something that seemed small to everyone else but turned out to be over doing it for me and put me out of commission and I'd stop exercising. I had nearly lost hope that I would ever be able to do any exercise at all at my weight-- it was a strain just to walk from one room to the other and really made me huff and puff just getting up the stairs.

My good news to share is that I started a very mild exercise routine four weeks ago and I've already achieved my first monthly exercise goal and I'm getting better and better at being able to exercise. You can too! Trust me, if I can anyone can.

I started out with stretching (makes a big difference for me) and playing one game of Wii bowling every morning. I used Alive and muscle rub daily. Then I joined the Conservative Couch to 5K thread here and made my own modified version. I started walking 5 minutes 4 times a week. I'm now up to 15-20 minutes 4 times a week. I also got Wii Just Dance and do that about every other day. I can really tell a difference in my everyday life already.

Just start small and simple. You can do it!

Feel free to come join us on the Conservative Couch to 5K: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/300-...-couch-5k.html

ANY form of movement that you enjoy is physical activity (much better phrase than exercise and actually what you are looking for at this point). The women above have been so eloquent with suggestions and reframing this as some time for you - time to reconnect with your body, time to think, time to zone, time to listen to music you enjoy, time to get away from everyone else, time to be active with a loved one or buddy. You get to choose what you want to do and how you do it. How cool is that? As adults we don't get much say in our busy lives!

I'm doing the Conservative Couch to 5k also because I'm a goal oriented kind of person. Walking 10 minutes might seem like too much - walk 2 minutes 5 times a day. I'll be really interested to hear what you are thinking about doing.

Hey, if an old f@rt like me with bad knees can start moving along, you can do it too.

Lordy, I STILL struggle with exercise. lol...I have my reasons, but I'm gearing up to start being active again.

Basically, once I get my food figured out (i tend to focus on that first), then I dive into an exercise plan or routine. For me it is walking, Yoga, and cardio/strength. I do DVDs, so I don't do the gym, but other people love the gym.

When I first started I was 340+ pounds and could go like 5 minutes, either walking or doing a DVD. Now I can go longer ,even now though I haven't been active, I can go half an hour to an hour at a time. I do have to build up to that when I've been sitting too much and I'll have to do that this week. However, you will gain that strength back, it is only a matter of time.

I have no problem going out and walking around for hours, shopping and what not. I don't get tired doing that anymore. Start small, do what you can, build up that strength! You can do this. I'm in that boat with you, I have to get back to being active as well!

Lori259 posted a great article when she first started that encouraged household chores as a way to burn calories. Her article was poo-pooed by a couple of posters that are no longer here (at least not under those screen names) but she has had heaps of success between household chores and walking.

When I first began I focused on my nutrition alone. After I was down 20 pounds or so I started walking. From walking I got into running. I think walking is WAY underestimated. I run because I like it.

Exercise is great for lots of reasons--overall health, overall mental wellbeing, good for weightloss, etc. However, in my own experiences keeping your nutrition where it needs to be is KEY to weightloss.