Hi,

I am 41 years old and quit smoking a little over 8 months ago. I did nutrisystem for about 3 months and lost 20 pounds. But after going off of it I gained it all back. I have to lose a min of 50pounds. I am so frustrated. I don't have the money to buy expensive equipment. Or join a gym. I do have workout videos and some free weights but I have no idea what to do. Some experts say cardio and some experts say weight resistance. I would love to do a workout video that I could actually finish and not feel like a total fat loser . I have no support so I am on my own and I am trying to find something I like to do but I am really confused on what that should be. Any suggestions for a absolute beginner would be great. I am trying to focus on not eating junkfood and eat healthier and of course I have to start excersising. Please help

Thanks

Well it's much more simple than you are making it out to be. Don't stress so much!

Simply put, stick in a tape and just go for it. Remember that most likely you won't be able to do a complete tape first time around- but that's OKAY. Just keep going. Do a tape a day, mix them up, ANY exercise is better than none!

You don't need a fancy gym or tons of exercise equipment either. One of my forms of exercise is going for a half hour walk on my lunch- it's something I LOVE to do and it's free

I do have a treadmill but I paid $100 for it on craiglist- my MIL bought one for $50- you can shop around for bargains!

I have one more question though. What about weights. Some people say that weight training is better than cardio. Have you found that to be not true?

Thanks again

I think that initially it doesn't matter if you do weights or cardio. I think, and believe me I am no expert, it is better to just do something. What about go outside and walk 30 minutes a day? Some people on the boards have found great success in focusing on one thing at a time. Like getting their diet in order first, then adding exercise.

That is true. I guess I just have to start somewhere and do something.

Thanks for the help

i think weight training will in the end, make you LIKE your body when you do get to goal..... but fir a while it can wreak havoc on fatloss, especially to those new to weight training, of course YMMV...... when i refer to weight traiing though, i am talking about real lifting--- heavy, compund movements, deadlifts, squats, shoulder presses, etc.... not the type you do with 5 pound hand weights.....that would require a real gym (membership or at home). There are people here who have lost their fat by only weight training (search for Sacha and her goal story...should be in the weghtlifting forum...amazing results)

Of course you can do all the exercise in the world, asnd it wont mean a d*mn thing if your diet is not spot on....fatloss is about diet, training and exercise is about reshaping your body..... but if you still have bodyfat, than it want matter. Most important thing to focus on and worry about iss your DIET... what is your pllan? how much of a calorc deficit are you in? this is necessary for fat loss, and is achieved thriough diet. How many cals are you eating a day? how are you tracking them? You need to weigh your food, and you need to know how much your eating......

good luck!

oh, and i hope i didnt come acriss as sounding like exercise isnt important, cuz it is, for overal health etc etc...... but losing fat is 100% diet....

Excellent Point. Since I quit smoking diet has been hard for me. Maybe I just have to start slow and work on diet and excersise. Thanks for your help