So I am not an exerciser. I really would love to be one of those people who runs three miles and feels the benefits of that natural high, but i just don't. So I am a healthy eater for the most part and keeping to a diet has never been a major problem for me once I am into the routine of it. But exercise is something I loathe and dread and so as a result I choose not to do it. I started trying some new things yesterday, I tried a yoga video but at the end felt like the heels of my palms/wrists were very sore. I know this is probably because I am a newb and not properly aligned but I can't afford to take a class so I need to figure out how to alleviate this discomfort.

And I just tried to do Billy Blanks' bootcamp just the basic one and I couldn't make it through. In fact I was so outta breath I had to stop after like 20 mins I really do want to add exercise to my lifestyle and I feel like I have the best of intentions but man this dvd kicked my butt. I had to throw off the resistance bands almost immediately. I feel like such a wimp. I know it's my first time doing the dvd but seriously, i feel like i will never make it through the whole thing.

It sounds as though you're starting out with too much intensity. If you're out of shape, just taking a 20 minute walk at a brisk pace around your neighborhood can be great exercise. Perhaps you should implement a walking plan and slowly build up to the boot camps and yoga and running--it's pretty much impossible to go from couch potato to marathon runner in one fell swoop.

The endorphin high from exercise will come, but you have to condition your body to it--it will take some time. If you are starting out in basic couch potato form, you'll have to build up to the level of exercise that will enable you to get the high. Go easy on yourself and try to think realistically about what kinds of exercise you can do and enjoy.

You might also want to think about posting your height/weight stats so we have a better sense of where you are with your body.

First, how about some positive messages to yourself like, "I am an exerciser!" Like baffled111 mentions, a brisk walk around your neighborhood is a great way to start. Once you start getting in better shape, then you will probably feel like adding additional exercise or different kinds of exercise. But you can give yourself a good start by telling yourself "I am an exerciser!"

I agree about building up to it rather than trying to do the hardest, most strenuous thing right at the outset. I didn't exercise either before this year. So, when I started, I was doing several 10-15 minute spurts a day because that was all I could handle. And I did indoor walking, mixed in a little jogging, dancing, the bicycle exercise where you're lying on the floor, used my Total Body Trainer, etc. Basically, I kept my body moving and my heart pumping for those 10 minutes, and I did it to music because it made it more fun for me. And then several things happened:
I started being able to go longer than 10 minutes at a time.
I enjoyed the exercising I was doing and missed not doing it when I was too tired or not feeling well.
I found that the music spurred me on to continue longer than I might have without music.
It made me feel pretty good...physically, emotionally and mentally.

I think some of the tricks to it are:
to not try to take on more than you can handle too soon
to be happy and proud of what you do actually do (even if it is 10 minutes, that's 10 minutes more than before!)
to not look at exercise as just a regimented routine or 30-60-minute block of time but to see ways to exercise out of that framework (i.e., take longer walks, put on a cd and dance, get up from the couch when the commercials come on, etc.) Seize the moments!
to find ways to make it fun for yourself....like I said, playing music that I like really encourages me to move

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the advice, I know it's illogical to want that instant gratification but I have just never stuck with an exercise program long enough to experience that natural high. But man that bootcamp was soooo hard, i'm such a wimp! I will hold off before trying it again and try to start slowly. Also, for my stats I am a 25yo female, 5'8" and I started dieting at 182lbs and I am down to 163 and I guess my goal weight is kinda unsure. I am just looking to feel healthier, have more energy and to learn how to shape/tone my body. I know nothing about weight training or anything like that, i've only ever done cardio and even then it was mellow. Anyway, thanks everyone! I was feeling so defeated this morning but I am just trying to reorganize my plan and start simpler. I do plan to try more yoga, just try to watch my wrists and choose beginner programs.

I am a sloth, I detest exercise, really. I hate it.

I am using a step box thingy, on the lowest height. Just step up, step down, step up, step down - I watch a DVD while I do it and the time really flies.

I started with 15 minutes every second day and now I am doing 30 minutes a day - I do 10 minutes leading with my left leg, 10 minutes with my right and 10 minutes alternating. I curse in my head through the whole thing because I resent having to do it. I'm a reluctant exerciser.

When I'm finished I'm red faced, sweaty and a little bit grumpy LOL

after a few minutes I feel pretty proud that I did it (again)

Try the step thingy and see if you like it - a little :-/

I was the same way Metaphile. This time though, I started out just by walking 1 mile, at least 5 and sometimes 7, days a week. I tried jogging, because I too wanted to do this instantly. I didn't want to put TIME into exercise. Jogging would get me done faster. But jogging only got me about 15 feet and had my heart threatening to leap outta my chest. So I kept walking and doing bouts of jogging as I got better and better, and my jogging bouts grew longer and longer. Yet, I quickly started getting bored. So I moved indoors to a treadmill. That grew boring, so I got a book and read while walking. I got music to listen to while walking. When all that failed, I bought some videos. Walk Away the Pounds mostly...the only ones I could keep up with. When those bored me, I got a jump rope, then a bike, then a stair stepper, etc. etc. I just didn't keep to the same exercise.

Now, I'm on the fence as to whether exercise is a habit for me. I could easily quit doing it if I let myself just slip awhile. So I don't let myself slip. I like how I feel AFTER I've done it, and that keeps me doing it. While exercising, if its hard, I'm constantly thinking, "I should quit now, this is enough", then thinking "but I've only gone 2 miles, and I usually do 5." I have my internal debates. And while I'm debating, I keep going. LOL Eventually, I get through my miles and then I'm hyped for the rest of my day.

I am an ex-athlete so in my mind I *want* to go out and do all the advanced stuff and I have tried and FAILED!!!

So I bought a walking at home DVD and have been doing that every day. I do strength every other day for 20 mins and I am feeling a million times better. I hate to exercise unelss I am in shape if that even makes sense, so I get what you mean about not wanting to do it. I even set a timer and run to it a few times while I am working out to see how much longer I have to go. But I get through it and 5 mins later I feel a million times better.

Boy, do I know how you feel (I just posted a thread about exercising very little). Today was the first day I've exercised in months. I haven't done any kick-butt intensive exercise in about 1 1/2 years. All I could muster today was 30 minutes (20 cardio, 10 resistance). But you know what? I'm proud of myself. I didn't do a lot, but I did do SOMETHING. Just do a little bit of something---even if it's mowing your lawn or weeding your garden. I think the most important thing is consistency.

ThinGirl in FatBody, using a step while watching a DVD/TV is a great idea!

I hate exercise, too. Is there a way to modify the Billy Blanks workout so it's less intensive? Sometimes they have beginner/intermediate/advanced moves, and if they don't you could just modify moves on the fly.

Otherwise, I highly recommend good ol' walking. You can do it anywhere, you can do it in street clothes, and you can do a little bit all day long or all at once.