Full body workout for beginners (and my obese self)

All you need are those dumbbells. With them you can do:

Squats
Lunges
Dynamic Lunges
Bulgarian Split Squats

Bench Press
Shoulder Press

Bent Over Rows

Without them you can do:

Push Ups
Planks
Crunches of various kinds (mix em up)

Google all of the above, in addition to instructions, I'm sure you'll find other ideas.

Just do it!

Bump because I like this :-)

Google "beginner bodyweight workout" for more suggestions than you can shake a stick at. I can't find the one I started with, but this is close: http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/ . Just remember: go at your own pace, take breaks when you need to, and modify the exercises as necessary. I started with wall pushups and bench sits instead of pushups and squats - you'll progress pretty quickly to being able to do the real things.

You can work with what you have. Google beginner dumbbell exercises and pick out one or two for:

Upper body

Your chest
Your shoulders (deltoids and trapezius)
Your arm (biceps and triceps)

Lower body

Thighs and legs (squats and lunges)
Calf (calf raises)

Do one or two sets of 8 to 12 reps to start. Concentrate on form. Rest 48 hours between sessions. See where you are after a month.

If you have an iphone or something similar you can buy apps with, try the Nike Training app. It's wonderful. You can go at your own pace and pause workouts if you need to. There are a ton of different workouts to do from very general to very specific. I think I got it for free a while back, but it may cost a tiny bit now, but it is very worth it. When you log this, it would go under "circut training". Hope this helps!

Very interesting workouts, I'll write 'em down, thanks a lot :-)

Start with the basics.

Legs, Push, Pull

For legs - Squats
When they start to get easy follow the progression -> weighted squats, split squats, weighted split squats, one leg wall sits, pistol squats, weighted pistol squats, shrimp squats
If you aren't strong enough to do a squat, do wall sits until you are.

For push - Pushups
When they start to get easy follow the progression -> feet elevated pushups, diamond pushups, archer pushups, incline one arm pushups, wide feet one arm pushups (no twist), narrow feet one arm pushups (no twist), pseudo planche pushups, pseudo maltese pushups, tuck planche pushups, straddle planche pushups, planche pushups
If you aren't strong enough to do a pushup, do them on your knees to start

For pull - DB Rows
When they start to get easy use the progression -> Chair Assist Chinups, Chinups, Pullups, L-sit Pullups, Tuck Lever Rows, Lever Rows, Ice Cream Makers, One arm chinups

.......................................

Once you get comfortable with those 3 exercises you can add in:
Vertical plane pushing - DB Overhead press, Handstands, Handstand Pushups, Press Handstands, 90 degree pushups, Floor L-sits, Dips
Posterior Dominant Legs - Bodyweight Romanian Deadlift, King Deadlift, One leg Straight Bridge, Hand assisted Glute-Ham Raise, Glute Ham Raise
Abs - Planks, Bicycle Crunches, Hollow Hold/Boat, L-sit, Dragon Flag
Back - Bridge, Straight Bridge, Full Bridge/Wheel, Stand to Stand Bridge
Side - Side Plank, Floor Wipers, (twist free one arm pushup), human flag

Google any exercises you don't know, there is a lot more stuff out there, this is just the basics.

Move on to the next harder variant as soon as you can. Start with 5 sets each, reduce it to 3 as you get stronger and recovery slows.

JAZZERCISE!!!! it's been the change I needed

30 Day Shred.... It mixes them both and only about 22 mins a day... It may be the longest 20 mins of your life, but it will get you moving in the right direction. I bought it on Vudu on my Bluray player, but I think its less than $10 now.

Lots of good stuff here!! I started off with DVDs by Denise Austin. I got them from my library and did something most days/week. I do agree with the weights and weight-bearing stuff too, it'll change your body faster than just cardio. From Denise Austin I moved up to some taebo, Billy Blanks' Favorite Moves in particular. But really, Denise Austin has a TON of DVDs to choose from and they'll get you started in a great way that doesn't make you wanna DIE! I tried 30 Day Shred early on and I was so sore I was quickly turned off. But now 30DS is a breeze. Just start slow! And heck, maybe you can kill it on 30DS!! If you're where I was early on, Denise is the way to go. Good luck!

You can borrow the book "You are your own gym" by Mark Lauren. It's wonderful and is a workout that is specifically for body weight exercises.

I borrowed a digital copy from my library but you can also borrow a hard copy (or buy on Amazon for like 10 or so).

you can go on youtube and look up beginner full body workouts, denise austin has some good easy ones on there so does amanda russell, and leslie sansome, Just find something on youtube that you might like and try it there are alot of workout videos on there

I like the 30 day shred..you can start out at your pace and your gradually incline to the next workouts within the month..definatly has good strength and cardio together

30 Day Shred is great!

I like the 30 day shred..you can start out at your pace and your gradually incline to the next workouts within the month..definatly has good strength and cardio together

This!!!

I like the 30 day shred..you can start out at your pace and your gradually incline to the next workouts within the month..definatly has good strength and cardio together

This!!!

if you are heavier this is NOT a beginners workout... I failed this many times and became discouraged ... I won't say I won't try it again, but it's hard on the knees.