To those who had/have 100 lbs to lose

I was 32 and my idea of exercise was walking from class to class on campus prior to getting in shape.

I started by playing wii fit games and just dance and doing a little stair stepper I got from Target 3-4 nights a week. I really only did about 5 minutes the first few times on the stair thing but I would add a minute per time I used it. Then I started walking my dog for a mile and still doing the other stuff. After a few months I started using the gym on campus bc it was part of my tuition anyway.

After awhile I started taking classes at a gym I got a trail membership on groupon for. Groupon is also how I found the classes I do now. But I would say my exercise was really light for about the first 40 pounds. Now I just kill it good luck.

bump

I'm almost a third of the way through my journey to lose 120 pounds. The first 20 or so I did with almost no "exercise." Then I started walking a couple of days a week 20-30 minutes at a time. Now I'm up to exercising 6 days a week. I'm walking 30-60 minutes most days, and have started C25K (On day 4).

I have not done a whole lot of strength training yet, not because I don't want to, but because I have not built it into my routine yet.

Now that the winter rainy season is upon us, I'm probably going to start going to Jazzercise a couple days a week instead of walking outside.

I didn't start exercising until I was about 45lbs down. I wasn't able to really do anything for more than 5 minutes before I was winded and worthless.

When I was about 45lbs down, we bought an elliptical and I worked out on it in the comfort of my home. I also picked up a cheap set of resistance bands and used them to start out.

Now that I'm where I want to be, I work out at a gym four days a week.

I still have about 100 to lose. When I started trying to lose weight 3 years ago I just walked. At first I couldn't do more than 15 minutes without having back pain, but I very quickly worked up to walking an hour, 4-6 times a week.

When the weather isn't suitable for walking I will do a low impact aerobic DVD or walking DVD. I'm also looking into starting with some weight training.

I've lost a total of 106 pounds so far. I started off with water aerobics, walking, and recumbent bike. Did Zumba Gold for a little while, and started lifting on the weight machines. Finally moved on to Zumba (love it), and working with a trainer, and free weights. Start where you can, you'll work your way up!

I started at 326 and I started excercise with walking. Just getting out and walking was a great place to start

I am 45 now and have 103 left to lose - - I started off with 168 pounds to lose.

Because I was monstrously, morbidly obese I started off with what I could do ... in my case, 7 minutes on a recumbent bike, 5 days a week. After a while I was able to step that up to 10 minutes, then 15, etc. I took it in easy stages, though. Now, almost 9 months later, I have lost 65.5 pounds, and I am up to 40 minutes on an elliptical trainer x 6 days a week + free weights x 3 days a week.

After watching the Biggest Loser this year, I realised one thing. Getting stuck in is not going to kill us. Those contestants were morbidly obese, and were pushed and pushed and pushed, all the while being told 'NO EXCUSE!'. And they didn't die. They didn't keel over. They could do a lot more than they truly believed they could do. And they got fit, healthy and happy.

So, with around 110lb to lose, I joined the gym straight away. And I worked my fat *kitten* off. Literally. I saw a lot of other overweight people walking around, mucking around, wasting time. Not me. I did an hour 3 times a week, and I worked every minute of it. In fact, the PT eventually got me and explained the need to rest between 'sets'. I didn't even know what a set was! She also told me to slow down on the weight machines as I was using cardio instead of strength. I found when I first started that it was almost addictive. I wanted to go back later again in the same day, and sometimes I did!

I've dropped almost 30 kilos so far (66lbs). I log my foods every day, I have really relaxed into it now, and even when I don't go to the gym I'm losing weight because I'm eating healthy, but I have to say I'm getting VERY flabby LOL. I haven't been to the gym in weeks now because of illness and some personal stuff, and although the kilos are still coming off, the flabby skin isn't!

Keeping motivated IS hard. The only suggestion I can do is to mix it up. And also, don't give up on any one thing that you consider just too hard. As you gain strength and fitness, go back to those things, you will be pleasantly surprised

I know there are a lot of facts on different ways of doing this, and I too have to get stuck in and re-read up on it all. I know having a day off is essential to your strength/muscle building workouts. Don't rely just on the gym. My son and I 'play tennis'. By that I mean we whack the balls around the tennis courts until I wee my pants laughing and we have to come home. We laugh hysterically and have a fantastic time. We are constantly active, we don't slack off, but it's also heaps of fun!

I'm dying for our local pool to reopen so I can include swimming in my exercise. (Summer is almost here in Australia.)

Hiking and walking is fun. Cycling? I don't own a bike, I'd probably fall off.

I also can NOT run/job. I just can't. I'm not sure what's wrong with me, but I literally go backwards when I try, and I'm still carrying too much weight to risk the damage I might do. But that's ok. We are not all meant to be runners

Walk the dog. If you don't have one, volunteer at your local animal refuge and walk THEIR dogs

Join the council walks in your area, take a refuge dog, he will love you forever!

Dig. Get out and dig a new garden bed.

Do you have a cause close to your heart? Start a petition and walk around town for signatures. Fundraise for a local charity, go out selling raffle tickets.

Park extra blocks away from work and walk there, same with shopping. Can you walk to the supermarket and have them home deliver and walk home?

I think for us bigger, middle aged woman...it's just important to 'start', and not expect too much of ourselves, but never give up! Just moving more can help, but always log every single thing you eat, because you can go over so easily and no amount of moving is going to work if you're then eating too much.

When I first started at the gym, I pushed myself and took note of what I did. I did that for a few days. Then next week, I did what I did, plus just one more. One more rep, or just one more minute. And then I continued doing that. Do what I could already do, then just one more. Also, always eat protein before you go. Not only does it help build muscle which you need to burn fat, but it keeps you fuller for longer. Don't be afraid of gaining muscle!!! I was terrified of this. In the end, I found out how misguided I was. It's essential, and no you don't bulk up even further

Sorry for the massive post. I hope some of these ideas help someone...

I started my journey with 110 lbs to lose and I am down 51 so far. I started by simply walking. I mapped a route in my neighborhood and would walked 2 laps ( a mile) and then each week I would add on more laps. It was hard at first but it got to the point where it was the highlight of my day. I have added in going to the gym occasionally doing Tae Bo and I try to at least every other day lift light weights to tone my arms and do ab work. I started the 30 day shred and loved it but ended up hurting my knee and was out of commission for a week. I am back on walking again...it is least impact and is actually very good for. I do also love to go swimming on the weekends. Good luck on your journey and know that you can do it, you just have to lace up your shoes and get moving. The hardest part is getting started, but once you do...it is easy from there.