How to get started?!

brookelaboucane95

Hi there!

So im currently 5'8 and 250lbs. I went from 143 to 250 in just under a year. Im extremely out of shape and havent exercised in like a year. Im starting to eat a lot healthier and watch my calories and portions more closely, and make wiser food choices. I just dont know how to get started for exercising! I have asthma and bad knees so running is tough, especially with how out of shape i am. But im tired of being self conscious and hating my body like i used to, especially as im only 20 years old. Any sort of tips or help or advice or exercise routines is greatly appreciated!

IsaackGMOON

I would advise going to see your doctor, as we don't know much about you.

If your knees can't take the stress, low-impact activities such as swimming are ideal.

brookelaboucane95

Thank you

Barbs2222

I'm losing weight without exercising. I just don't eat very much. Today I made some bad choices but stayed pretty much within my calories.

brookelaboucane95

Thank you! I had gone down from 165 to 143 by basically not exercising as well before i gained all this weight, but it was pretty unhealthy by eating 900 cals or less a day. I live with my boyfriend now and he has a crazy metabolism and is always eating so things are hard.

Barbs2222

I'm actually kind of at a stand still right now too at 133. It's frustrating but I've always had a hard time in the summer. I live in MN so there's just too much fun stuff to do and it only lasts a few months. Why does everything involve food and beer? lol

brookelaboucane95

Hahaha i agree! Beer and vodka are my weakness. I live in one of the hottest parts of Canada, so after a day of 38 degree weather nothing is better than a cold beer!

atypicalsmith

As long as you prefer to consume empty calories which push you far past your maintenance rate, you won't lose. I wish the best for you.

shay77223

I am starting out too, and I kinda think that slowly is the way to go. I've fallen into the trap of going all out, thinking I'm gonna do hour long work outs 6 days a week and I'll look so good, then get winded walking into the gym, snap myself with a resistance band and wallow in ice cream. I've found that body weight training in home has been best for me. A few lunges, a few sit-ups, a few squats, now I can say I have worked out, which feels awesome and make me more likely to do more tomorrow.

AsISmile

I have asthma too and my advice is just to start slowly.
For example, if you would run, go really slow at the start and do lots of intervals. Try using this mindset for any exercise you want to do.
You really have to build up your endurance. It will take time, but the longer you do it, the better it will get.

I would advise against doing any HIIT in the beginning. That would just get your heart rate up too much.

MariaFuryTox

I found a great 1mile walk at home video on YouTube by Lesley Sansom (I think that is how you spell it). Start slow and just work up to what you can do.

joolieb1

I agree that starting slowly is best. Walking is free and you can easily see your calories burned. Cycling is reasonably low impact but start with short rides (injured my hand by going over the top) and there are programmes that slowly build running fitness (C25K for example) that mix brisk walking with short bursts of jogging. Top tip, wear comfortable shoes to avoid sprains - not flip flops like I do sometimes LOL