I joined last week, I think I've been looking around and reading, but I'm still not sure what or where to post. Since I was a teenager I've been overweight. I married VERY young, having 5 kids didn't help with the weight!
Six years ago I lost 155lbs very quickly, the wrong way. It's taken almost that six years to put Most of that weight back on. I decided on Jan 1 this year to quit smoking again for at least the 100th time. Everytime I'd quit smoking I would gain weight, so I would start again. I wouldn't lose ANY weight by starting again, but gaining WAS slower
On Jan 2, 2012 I quit smoking, it's been 60 days today! I have NEVER lasted this long before, today I know I won't smoke again. I don't really miss it most of the time! At the same time I decided to quit smoking, I told myself I didn't want to gain ANY weight. If I just stayed where I was (225lbs.), that would be ok. I had read A LOT about eating healthy...so I started eating healthier the same day I quit smoking. Eating healthy was way easier than the NOT smoking!!! I didn't really plan on it, but as of today I have lost 25 pounds. Now I would like to add an exercise program so I could lose 50lbs. more. I live in a VERY small town, the nearest city of 1000 or more pop. is 1 hour away. So any exercising will have to be at home on my own. I have NEVER been much for exercise ever, and I have a hard time with some exercises. Almost 20 years ago I had a stroke. Slowly most things got back to normal with lots of therapy, but I never got back use of my right hand.
I think I should have started this different.
My name is Joddie. I'm 54 years old, I have 5 children, 6 grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters! I live alone with my 2 dogs in a VERY small tiny town in central South Dakota. I like gardening, cooking, scrapbooking, reading, hanging out with family taking pictures and computers!
I need help with WHAT exercises to do, and staying with it and healthy recipes!

Welcome Joddie!

You've taken a big step in the right direction by quitting smoking and eating healthier! If you have not exercised in a while, I would start small. Go for walks around town, buying a set of weights for lifting (or using house hold items until you venture into a town/city with a store that sells dumbbells). Using google, I believe if you search for "using household items for working out", you will come alot of some great websites with good ideas!

A lot of people recommend the "Walk away the pounds" as a great starter home DVD. I love Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, but it can be very intense for some.

Good luck with your journey!!!

JODDIE ~ this is a great place for support, info, ideas, recipes, plans, etc. Since you like gardening, do that; maybe add in some walking, and dancing and you have an exercise plan. There is a 50+ thread and a REGAINERS RELOSING thread in the Support Groups forums. Just look around and jump right in wherever you want and have fun ...