I'll totally be your friend! I have some similar issues. akern1987 has a great idea with the xbox, I have Just Dance for xbox and I find it awesome, it's fun and it really gets you moving if you play long enough. I too find staying motivated super difficult but I have a long way to go, about 75lbs in all to lose so having someone to help motivate me and I them would be awesome! The evening is my most viable workout time as well since I have a toddler who likes to "try too" and when she is sleeping is the only time I can fully be into exercise.

DVDs may be your best bet. I know they work for me. With my busy schedule and lack of motivation some days, my gym membership has been collecting dust and a waste of money, so it's less likely for me to make excuses if I can pop in a DVD, and work out at home on my own time.

I could use more friends on this site as well. I hope none of you mind if I send a request as well

Hi Whitney, I am *totally* on the same boat as you. I'm a little embarrased to admit that up until about 2 weeks ago, I literally never worked out. Ever. Then two things happened: my doctor had a little chat with me about taking charge of my weight - that scared me. Then the next day, a coworker told me about MFP, and I checked it out, and it actually got me excited! There are so many incredible, positive, encouraging people here who cheer each other on.

I'll share with you that the past two weeks, I've been working out on my own, and I've figured out a few things. The main one, though, is to start off with exercises that are FUN, and to not overstrain yourself to start with. If you totally rip yourself apart during a workout, you'll be really demotivated to work out the next day. But if you dial it back a little, work up a sweat but still able to talk during your workout, then when it's over you'll feel GREAT - and those endorphins running through you will actually pump you up to work out again the next day. As you get stronger over time, you'll be able to increase the intensity of your workouts. For now, just focus on making working out FUN and ENJOYABLE - that'll help you make exercise a real, sustainable part of your life, as opposed to a chore that you dread.

And you don't need the gym - like everyone else here has said, just try Youtube videos or DVDs. I recently found a Tae Bo video that I'm obsessed with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pIcJ2N3UtA

Anyways, I'll get off my soap box now. I hope you don't mind if I friend you... and anyone else is free to friend me too. My approach is positivity and encouragement, and I hope that we can cheer each other along!

You're more than welcome to add me. I run outside quite a bit, and I do strength training at the gym, but it's easy enough to do at home if you get weights. I NEVER use machines, they are so bad for you IMO because your body does not move like that. I like free weights a lot more because it requires you to use all your stabilizing muscles. Way more than you would if you were using machines at the gym. Needless to say, don't feel bad that you can't get to the gym!