Hi Fallenangel,
Please be encouraged...you CAN do this, like everyone has said.

When I started at 460 lbs, I could only lay on my bed and do movements along to a Sweatin To The Oldies tape by Richard Simmons. I progressed to doing portions of each song sitting on a chair, to doing the whole 50 min exercise tape while sitting.

And now I also use resistance bands for strength training, do water aerobics 3 times a week at the Y, and use a mini trampoline for about 45 seconds at a time, several times a day...trying to strengthen my legs.

I now don't need my wheelchair, and have progressed to a walker. My goal is to lose weight and get stronger so I don't even need the walker. I have a disease that affects muscle and connective tissue, yet even I can do SOMETHING. And have seen vast improvements.

Someone here has a great saying in there signature line...something like: "If you really want to do this, you will find a way...if not, you will find an excuse." I loved that! It is so true. I decided not to focus on what I can't do...but to focus on what I CAN do. Since the battle is won or lost between the ears, this has really helped me.

I wish you the best of success on your journey to health!

I started exercising at around 340 pounds and in the beginning I could barely walk in front of the TV for 10 minutes. Like others have said, start with 10 and then the next day do 11. Or do 10 minutes once a day and then after a week try 10 minutes twice a day. You might be absolutely amazed at how much you can build up your fitness level if you start off slowly and be careful to never push yourself too hard. One of the reasons I always failed in the past was expecting too much from myself too soon as wearing myself out. Small increases can lead to big things. I now look forward to working out and absolutely love my gym time.

Also something to keep in mind....

Exercise is cumulative. If you exercise some in the morning then feel like you can do more in the afternoon then do so. It all counts in the end.

Just be careful is the biggest thing when doing this. You don't want to push yourself too hard or too fast. Good Luck on your weight loss journey!

Like Nike says, "JUST DO IT!" We all spend time obsessing about the "right" way to exercise, the "right" plan, the "right" exercises, the "right" amount of time, the "right" intensity and often get so discouraged that we aren't able to measure up to the "right" expectations that we don't do anything at all (aka the "why bother, since I can't do it" syndrome). Start with one foot in front of the other. Don't even call it exercise if you don't want to - call it "getting the mail from the post office", or "walking from the far end of the parking lot to the mall" or "taking the stairs to the office". One step will lead to two, then three, and soon you'll be looking into programs to improve your stamina.
Just start with one foot in front of the other. Today.

freiamaya-- great message!

I think the same can be said of the eating part too!!!!! It can be overwhelming, and yet if we just START... a pebble, running down a hill, can start an avalanche!

Did you get some good ideas. I hear ya when it comes to getting motivated. When I come home from work I get out of my work clothes and into my PJ bottoms and my sweat shirt. I then take a cat nap or try to plan dinner. Just 2 years ago I used to run and go to the gym at least 5 times a week. It's all I can do to drive pass a gym and feel guilty for going in. I even have a gym membership and I got it last Feb and I have only used it 2 times.... I did however watched a INFO comercial and I actually ordered it. It was the Windor Pilates. I thought, anything! I hate aerobics. Hate them, hate them...... But the Windsor has the round metal circle that you use. I have only done the 10 minute work out and loved it. I have only done it one time though. Have you heard anything about the Windsor?
How have you done with eating healthy? I try so hard.... but, I fail....

Thanks for all of your replies. I remember a doctor telling me some time ago that if I wasn't getting my heartrate up for at least 20 minutes, then whatever I was doing was pointless; I had always thought that it all adds up, so I was pretty discouraged and upset by hearing that. I'll just keep up with my baby steps! I've never tried Walk Away The Pounds or Pilates or anything like that - maybe I'll look into them later this winter when I have a bit more confidence in doing this whole thing. Thanks for the info, and the inspiration! Good luck to all of you on your way to your goals!

Angel - Doctors like that make me want to scream! It makes me so mad because it just discourages people. It is like when you are looking for your first job - no one wants to hire you because you have no experience, and you have no experience because no one wants to hire you. You have to start where you can start.

One thing you can do is try things out through either the library or Netflix. That way you can check things out before buying.

Ugh, I hear ya'll on the evil doctors! Keep up with your baby steps, Angel, because they really DO add up! Every little bit helps. My (awesome) doctor says so

Angel,
Our local library has dozens and dozens of exercise cd's and tapes...all varieties. You can try them for free, even some you are just curious about but are doubtful about buying. I had fun with all kinds. Some of the titles are hilarious, like these at my library:
Dancing Grannies
Moving to Mozart
Chicken Fat (youth fitness)
Jazzercise Funk
ElmoCyze (Elmo the muppet!)
Cher Fitness (yes, THE Cher!)
Chubby Hubby Workout

If nothing else, you'll get an ab workout laughing at the titles!

HI, Just wanted to add to the walking routine...I bought a MP3 player & loaded all my favorite music on it..that way its takes a while to get bored...good luck...you can do it...

I just popped back in to say Loretta ... I am sooooo proud of you. I know people who would rather crawl in a hole and cry than start what you did. I'm very impressed!
Have you posted your story so far anywhere?

Angel - you're right and your doctor is wrong. Here's what the latest US government exercise recommendations have to say about it:

(my emphasis added)

Dietary Guidelines For Americans 2005 - Ch 4: Physical Activity

Keep up your baby steps - you're doing your body lots of good!!

Meg - Wonderful info!!! When my DD was a baby I would do 10 minutes of any exercise 3x's a day. It's the only way I could be consistent.

FallenAngel - Keep going! Every step is helping you!!!!

carafre

My plan is .10 miles per day - matching the day of the month:

Nov 1st = .10 miles
Nov 2nd = .20 miles
Nov 3rd = .30 miles

by the end of the month, I'll be up to 3 miles. So far I've been lucky and gone a little over my goals each day.

This also reminds be of how much my minimum walking distance should be. On Nov 16th, I know I should walk at least 1.6 miles. I think I'll want to do more by the time I get there. When I started walking several years ago, it got to the point I HAD to walk or I just felt "off." In three weeks I'd lost one (or was it two?? Senior moment going on here...) pant sizes. I hadn't lost any weight at all, but several inches.

Speaking of inch loss and not weight loss: I think the scales can be very confusing for some. As I said, when I walked, I lost inches but no weight. If I relied totally on the scales, I would have given up. We all know muscle weighs more than fat.

DON'T PUT ALL YOUR WEIGHT IN ONE IN ONE BASKET!!!

Deb B. in VA