What some good exercise routines, DVD, etc that are good for beginners? I've tried Zuma Fitness but apparently I have no rythm and cant keep up with that.

Just walking is a great way to exercise and you can do it any where. I started out at doing what I could on the elliptical.

just walk.........you gotta start somewhere

Just walk. Get a pedometer and see how many steps you take on a regular day. Then keep increasing. Then increase the speed (if possible)

Eventually you should join a gym and work out other muscles (arms abs etc)

I have a treadmill and walk briskly for an hour and try to sprinkle a few mins of running. Hopefully I will increase my running time.

Get some good music that makes you wanna groove!

i use my treadmill every other day for 30 minutes each session. then I lift dumbbells for 20-30 reps the off days from walking. Walking is a good and cheap way to burn calories, increase your lung volume and keep your heart in shape.

I have two new knees, and they hurt, so I don't walk.I weigh 316. When I do, I am walking funny, it hurts and I am WAY out of breath! I'm almost heaving, if that's the word. I think the whole world can hear me. It's SO hard to do! What can I do to breathe easier when I walk?

I know alot of people lost weight by walking, so I know it works. But how can I be motivated to put myself into misery?

I have two new knees, and they hurt, so I don't walk.I weigh 316. When I do, I am walking funny, it hurts and I am WAY out of breath! I'm almost heaving, if that's the word. I think the whole world can hear me. It's SO hard to do! What can I do to breathe easier when I walk?

I know alot of people lost weight by walking, so I know it works. But how can I be motivated to put myself into misery?

When you walk try taking deep breaths instead of short shallow breaths. That helps me when im out of breath (deep inhale through nose and out through mouth)

Also, if walking is so tough then maybe (at least until you lose some weight and can walk comfortably) you can exercise your arms by lifting 1-2 pound weights. Even for a few mins while watching tv/a movie. Or try doing crunches.

Just take it slow and try to build up your strength.

I totally understand you- i'm in a similar boat. I'm extremely obese (240) and I find it hard to briskly walk on the treadmill for even 20 mins, but I keep pushing myself even through my discomfort and try walking (even if i have to slow down at intervals) for a full 60 minutes and do 100 crunches. It's lame, i know, but at least it's a start...

When you walk try taking deep breaths instead of short shallow breaths. That helps me when im out of breath (deep inhale through nose and out through mouth)

Also, if walking is so tough then maybe (at least until you lose some weight and can walk comfortably) you can exercise your arms by lifting 1-2 pound weights. Even for a few mins while watching tv/a movie. Or try doing crunches.

Just take it slow and try to build up your strength.

I totally understand you- i'm in a similar boat. I'm extremely obese (240) and I find it hard to briskly walk on the treadmill for even 20 mins, but I keep pushing myself even through my discomfort and try walking (even if i have to slow down at intervals) for a full 60 minutes and do 100 crunches. It's lame, i know, but at least it's a start...

Shame on you! LAME??? You're doing a heck of a lot better than some of us, and you're doing your best! "Lame" should never be in your vocabulary.

I will try to do some walking the way you describe, I promise. I have a membership to a small gym by me, and I used it for a while (recumbent bike, but now my knees can't do a full rotation), but am deathly afraid of going. I know, I would tell someone else to Just Do It. But I am scared of being in pain. On Pinterest, there's this Nike Logo with the words under it, "Just Do It, Even If You Suck. I like that.

I have to ask, what's a crunch?

Thanks for your help btw!

Shame on you! LAME??? You're doing a heck of a lot better than some of us, and you're doing your best! "Lame" should never be in your vocabulary.

I will try to do some walking the way you describe, I promise. I have a membership to a small gym by me, and I used it for a while (recumbent bike, but now my knees can't do a full rotation), but am deathly afraid of going. I know, I would tell someone else to Just Do It. But I am scared of being in pain. On Pinterest, there's this Nike Logo with the words under it, "Just Do It, Even If You Suck. I like that.

I have to ask, what's a crunch?

Thanks for your help btw!

First of all, here is a good explanation of crunches http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crunch_(exercise)

Secondly, thanks for the compliment!

Thirdly, that nike Logo is great, I wonder if i can get a tshirt that says that

Lastly, try going to the gym and start slowly. When you feel the pain then get off the machine. Tread slowly and find a machine that doesnt cause you pain. This will be trial and error in the begining but just be patient. Does this gym have a pool? Swimming might be good for you and your pains

Lapbandster,

I checked your link on crunches, and I think I can do it, however, I don't know how to get on the floor. My knees can't accept kneeling. But I will try to be creative.

You know? It's a really silly thing I feel about going to the gym and doing a little (if I must) and leaving. I hate being the fat lady that walks into a gym full of fit people exercising their hearts out, and here I step on, say, the eliptical, and quit after three minutes because my thighs are giving out. It's embarassing! Humiliating. I think to myself that they're all inwardly laughing at that fat lady, or feeling sorry for me. I'm struggling with this with my therapist, but I'm just not catching on.

There's a YMCA opening near me, but membership is in the low 500.00's! No other pools available. I haven't worked in over a year (I clean houses, or I did) and we;re NOT making ends meet. There may be an Aquafit class that's about $100.00. I'm still checking. A pool would be the BEST option for me with my knees and weight.

I'm so frustrated and depressed. At least I do well with my band and am continuing to lose weight. At least that hasn't changed.

im the same way,im considered morbidly obese and i have a terrible knee at 29....and the thot of goin to a gym filled with skinny ppl gives me panic attacks! ive walked but dang its been so hot out so i bought a richard simmons dvd sweating to the oldies (i know pretty cheesy)lol but its big ppl doing what they can and i love it and its not so hard on my knee.

I know people have bathing suit issues (I do, but I deal)... swimming will win it every dang time.

If you don't know how to swim... or don't remember... or suck at it (that's me), take a class. The Y offers them, along with many other places. Indoor heated pools mean it's an easy winter thing. Classes mean you pay for it (not a ton), so you're more likely to show up.

If you know how to swim, do laps. Or a class like Water aerobics. I know that's linked to old folk, but there's a reason they do it.

Physical exercise without joint strain. Win win.

Lapbandster' date='

I checked your link on crunches, and I think I can do it, however, I don't know how to get on the floor. My knees can't accept kneeling. But I will try to be creative.

You know? It's a really silly thing I feel about going to the gym and doing a little (if I must) and leaving. I hate being the fat lady that walks into a gym full of fit people exercising their hearts out, and here I step on, say, the eliptical, and quit after three minutes because my thighs are giving out. It's embarassing! Humiliating. I think to myself that they're all inwardly laughing at that fat lady, or feeling sorry for me. I'm struggling with this with my therapist, but I'm just not catching on.

There's a YMCA opening near me, but membership is in the low 500.00's! No other pools available. I haven't worked in over a year (I clean houses, or I did) and we;re NOT making ends meet. There may be an Aquafit class that's about 100.00. I'm still checking. A pool would be the BEST option for me with my knees and weight.

I'm so frustrated and depressed. At least I do well with my band and am continuing to lose weight. At least that hasn't changed.[/quote']

FYI The YMCA will probably give you a reduced rate if you show financial difficulty IE a copy of your W2, unemployment stubs etc. Also can't you pay monthly instead of the whole year? I had HORRIFIC knee pain at 380 lb. Now NONE at 212. Keep the faith! I also started out doing Water based exercise because everything else was so painful.

I know people have bathing suit issues (I do' date=' but I deal)... swimming will win it every dang time.

If you don't know how to swim... or don't remember... or suck at it (that's me), take a class. The Y offers them, along with many other places. Indoor heated pools mean it's an easy winter thing. Classes mean you pay for it (not a ton), so you're more likely to show up.

If you know how to swim, do laps. Or a class like Water aerobics. I know that's linked to old folk, but there's a reason they do it.

Physical exercise without joint strain. Win win.[/quote']

FYI Woman within.com is a great source for plus size swim suit.

Do you have access to an inside pool for aquatic exercise? Working out in a pool is much easier. You don't get out of breath and it's fun!

Exercise is very good for health. It should be done regularly & it should be done in such way that every part should feel relaxed & active. Warm up body before doing hard exercise. Walking in fresh air is very good for mind, body.