Best exercises for a heavy girl?

save your knnes and start with low impact exercises.... aqua aerobics would be ideal... start with 10 lb hand weights ( or walking with slightly less, maybe 8 lbs) and try a recumbant bike...

Dancing is an awesome workout. If you're enjoying it, keep doing it. There isn't any one exercise that works for everyone (based on what individuals enjoy, not results).

And maybe try incorporating some weight training, as well.

if you start having joint issues from impact, try adding in swimming and biking. And yes, start strength training now.

I'm no expert but based on what I've read from others who have demonstrated results on here, and based on what I've found to be true for myself, it's best to mix up the cardio with some weight work. Using weights builds lean muscle, which increases your metabolism, which then helps burn the fat more efficiently.

I'm doing strength training 3 days a week and cardio (including martial arts) on the other days. Especially good starting things are yoga, swimming, water aerobics, and walking, but anything that you are enjoying that gets you moving is great!

I started with aqua aerobics 2-4 times a week, it does give a low impact but an effective exercise programme for all the body, I am sure this is why I do not have loose skin but a toned body (not bad for a 60 year old lol) - also lots of brisk walking wherever and whenever you can fit it in. Keep on dancing and choose what you enjoy

On the beginner Jillian Michaels she shows proper form, what not to do and modified moves in case you aren't capable of the full move or are a beginner. She also says you can start with no weights or build up to make the workout harder.

So, Jillian Michaels really is a great beginner video since she is VEry Very thorough and safe In fact, after watching a few times I wish she seperated out the training from step 1 since I have caught on.

The best exercise is one you enjoy and will stick with.
dancing? If you enjoy it, by all means keep at it....do be careful about high impact on the knees, but its a great cardio exercise.
Walking is another great exercise....what matters is that you get up and move....and keep moving. After you've developed a bit of cardio base you can expand what your doing into other things....maybe even strength training.

I agree with a few of the others, if dancing is wat you like and it's getting ur heart rate up, then that's great...plus you are enjoying the workout and that's important...I am a big girl and I do the Leslie Sansone walk away the pounds dvd...I love it bc it's low impact and it allows you to work your way up to the number of miles u want to walk....so if u like u can switch up so that you want get bored...i acutally lost 10lbs in a month doing Leslie Sansone...IT WORKS...GOOD LUCK!!!

On the beginner Jillian Michaels she shows proper form, what not to do and modified moves in case you aren't capable of the full move or are a beginner.

It's nearly impossible to tell if you're in proper form without someone physically guiding you, especially if you've never done it before.

Dancing is an awesome workout. If you're enjoying it, keep doing it. There isn't any one exercise that works for everyone (based on what individuals enjoy, not results).

And maybe try incorporating some weight training, as well.

pretty much this. if you're having fun, you'll stick with it longer.

weight training is a beautiful thing! if you've never done it before, then get a session or three w/ a trainer so that you have someone showing you the right form (you can ask for this for your birthday and have everyone chip in, if you can't swing the expense). but you will never regret lifting.

Thanks! I really love your advise! I will definitely stick to the dancing and will try to incorporate squats , how many sets and reps do you suggest?

3-5 sets, 5-10 reps. Enough weight so that you fall into that rep range... light enough that you can do 5, but heavy enough that 10 is a struggle. Focus on your form at first, then go heavier as you get better with the movements.

30 day shred by Jillian Michaels is my fave. I loaned it out and have used her butt and thigh one.
I plan to do p90x but it is kinda a scheduled confusing thing and a bit longer than 1/2 hour like Jillian Michaels.
I have insanity too, but that is a long term goal.

Fo Sure I would do Jillian Michaels first.

For a total beginner who is very overweight, this isn't advisable. She has NO IDEA on what good form is and doing plyometrics and squats with bad form will lead to knee, ankle and joint issues. It's one thing to watch a video, another to actually perform them correctly.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I agree. Also, if you are completely unconditioned, you'll never make it through the warm-up.

OP, your stats are close to what mine were when I first started. I began with walking and calisthenics (jumping jacks, push-ups, etc). After I dropped to about 250, I started the Couch to 5k program. It's a great program for beginning fitness.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

On the beginner Jillian Michaels she shows proper form, what not to do and modified moves in case you aren't capable of the full move or are a beginner. She also says you can start with no weights or build up to make the workout harder.

So, Jillian Michaels really is a great beginner video since she is VEry Very thorough and safe In fact, after watching a few times I wish she seperated out the training from step 1 since I have caught on.

Like ninerbuff said, there's a difference between watching a video and actually doing the moves. My old roommate, for instance, had terrible form despite the trainer on screen in front of her instructing. (ex: bicep curls she would move her elbows forward) Whenever I tried to correct her, she would say "But I'm doing EXACTLY what they're doing!" Um, no you're not. It took an actual trainer at our gym to teach her correct form to do the exercise properly.

Sometimes you can think you're doing something right and not realize it's totally wrong.

In Feb 2012 I started out at 270 at 5'4". I have bad knees so I just started doing the Leslie Sansone Walk at Home dvds. 1 mile in 15 minutes and 2 miles in 30 minutes. You might try that or just walking outside before or after work or on your lunch hour. I love Just Dance also and have fun with it too. Pick something you like to do and enjoy.
I did start running a couple weeks ago but now my knees are killing me so I think I will not be able to continue that type of exercise. I went back to walking 2 miles in 30 minutes today before work and usually walk another 2 miles in 20 minutes on my lunch hour.
Be careful and start out slow and build up.
If you are able to join a gym and have someone show you how to use the machines that helps too. Planet Fitness is opening up in my town and I joined in Dec and they open next week and I am so excited to start there next week. I have never went to a gym so it will be learning experience for me. They are very reasonable $10 a month with no contracts is why I joined. If I don't like I am not tied into any contract.
Good luck!