How can I start exercising?

nikilisette38

Reading all the comments here has really helped me. I was fit and thin for my first 45 years. I was always hiking, swimming, gardening, chopping wood and other ranch chores plus raising 3 boys ,including twins and working as a teacher. Then I got Lymes disease, spent a week in the hospital and a year on antibiotics. I was forced to only do chores for that year . Gradually, I got better but could never get beyond a 3 mile hike or a 10 minute swim. Added to my duties was taking on the care of my disabled, elderly mother in addition to the now teenagers, which was followed by menopause and a weight gain of 50 pounds in addition to the 50 gained while on antibiotics. I have always eaten organic and healthy.I have healthy blood pressure even at 72 years of age. At 60 my 90 year old mother passed, at 61 I fell and broke my foot, at 62 I went through and survived a major wildfire, then months later I fell and broke my shoulder. I reluctantly retired from teaching at 65. I was now on medicare with new doctors who tested me for genetic factors. Bingo! I had hemocromatosis, an inherited blood disorder so now I worked with a dietician…to eliminate high iron foods. I started a walking program with a friend and we went 5 days a week for six months rain or shine. I felt great even though I hadn't lost a pound, even through the beginning of the pandemic. Then he had heart trouble and surgery and dropped the walking. I stopped walking but still did lots of activity around home and volunteer work. when the pandemic ended. I had grandchildren, taught summer school. At 70 I stepped in an old gopher hole I didn't see and broke my ankle. It has taken 2 years to fully recover and walk again . At 72 I am discouraged, still fat, but all my blood work is normal and I have healthy blood pressure. I have balance issues and I get tired but I have returned to doing all my chores and taking care of my home. I still work with the dietician and she is thrilled with my blood work. She says a consistent exercise program will help shed some pounds and give me more energy. I can't seem to get started.But after reading all your comments I think I will have to try some new strategies.