[hpnodat]

I'm just starting to incorporate exercise in my daily routine. I started eating healthier a month ago and I wanted to do this in baby steps and instead of all at one time I felt like I could be more successful at it.

So anyway, I have no idea how to set realistic goals for exercise. I'm hoping you all can give me suggestions. My doctor gave me the go a head but told me to not push too hard as I have a bit of knee pain in my right knee and I also have some nerve pain in my back and legs.

What did you do when you first started exercising & what were your goals?

Thanks!

[lili58]

Depends on your resistance.
I started walking 10 minutes. Next time, I added 5 minutes of running to that. Then ten more minutes of walking and then 5 minutes of running and so on. If that is too slow or too fast for you, change it. Push yourself to do longer next time but never to the point of injuring yourself. If you do, it really sucks. You will have to take time out and then start everything again. Good luck!!!

[cherylmn]

Honestly, I started with frequency & didn't worry about duration or intensity. I was just trying to build the habit. So, I made a committment to do SOMETHING 3x/week - might be only 15-20 minutes, might be a full hour, but some form of purposeful exercise.

After a couple of weeks, I was feeling better & decided on no less than 30 minutes per session.

My next goal was 5-6x/week - at least 30 minutes of something.

My goals now are a little more specific, but I try to set them weekly. I still aim for 5-6x/week when I'm not traveling. So far, so good. It isn't always a fabulous or strenuous workout, but I am moving my rear end...and while it continues to be a struggle to get motivated to do it, if you ever read my post-wrokout comments, you'll know how much I enjoy the good feelings that follow a hard, sweaty workout!!

Good luck to you!

[JustBeckyV]

For me it was very small - and then I added different wii games and they set the time and the frequency. I just pretty much stuck with that and then started walking pretty much every day.

[MCKMNL]

I actually just started excecising last week, and for me and my personality, I pushed myself to do at least 5 miles for one week ( of anything ) i got in 8, and i feel so good about myself for it. I am now in my second week, and honestly have not really thought of a goal per say, I really should sit and think about it cause this week i only got in 5.60 miles of exercise talk about slacking ...you actually gave me something to think about