Need a good beginner workout

Leslie Sansone's Walking Videos (youtube them)
Jessica Smith's Videos (youtube again)
There are some great arm workouts on Youtube also!

You can always use your own body and work out; long walks, jogging, push ups, planking, squats, sit ups, etc.

Good luck!!

Leslie Sansone's walking DVD's are great. I did them when I first started and even now when I am having a rough day. Nothing wrong with walking. Eventually you will need to push yourself and it may be hard, but you can do it. And everytime you do, you will get better and better. Don't give up on yourself..you are worth it! When you are ready for real strength training, I recommend stronglifts.

Nerdfitness and jefit are good resources for beginners. The former has some good articles on form and fundamentals, as well as some good beginner workouts; the latter is a huge database of exercises and workout routines that you can download. It's broken down by muscle group and experience level, so it's easy to find something good for a beginner. I highly recommend both.

You know what? The best workout is the one you'll do.

Maybe right now it's just walking around the neighborhood.


Those DVDs you already have...just do as much as you can and take as many breaks as you need or don't do parts of them that are too tough. Keep doing that until you get a little stronger. Your amazing body will surprise you with how quickly it will adapt and progress.

Don't be discouraged. It gets easier - quickly. When it does, you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment that you only get from keeping going.

Can anyone recommend something a little less overwhelming?

I would personally just walk (or you might not have access to one, but biking is nice too). I always get bored of videos.

Do you have a wii? Boxing is fun.

Just to add, thin, fit women get dumped too.

Don't beat yourself up. What you need is to be your own best friend.

bump

I think 30 Day Shred is a good beginner workout. Even if you can't do all the moves in the beginning, you will build endurance. Take short breaks, do modifications, and just be persistant.

Its on youtube if you want to give it a try.

Just to add, thin, fit women get dumped too.

Don't beat yourself up. What you need is to be your own best friend.

Wanted to quote this because, you say two boyfriends dumped you because you were too fat. Well...unless you have been dropping and gaining a lot of weight before and between each boyfriend, I'm going to assume you were about the size you are now when you met them and started dating them. If you weren't too fat for them to start dating, I'm doubtful that they stopped dating you for being too fat. Don't do this because of some creeps, do this to become a stronger, healthier version of yourself.

Now, about workouts. If you like the dvds you have, don't let your inability to complete them or do everything in them keep you from trying them. Trust me I often find myself in the same place. Do what you can. You don't HAVE to go as fast as they do, you don't HAVE to do every single move or exercise they do. I know it can be discouraging, but do what you can and gradually you will get stronger and fitter and you will be able to do more. And that's a nice encouraging feeling, too, when you suddenly realize you're doing something you couldn't do two weeks ago. I don't have specific suggestions, you've gotten a lot of those already. Find something you enjoy doing, even if you can't do as much of it as you think you should just yet, and stick with it.

I like Yoga Booty Ballet - Cardio Cabaret. It's really silly and fun cardio (my 3 year old does it with me!)

The You are your own gym app (I have it on android, I think it's on iphone too though!) has a good full range of workouts, starting from a 2.5 minute beginner routine right through to massive elite workouts, so will take you anywhere you want to go.

if it helps any, I'm not dreadfully unfit but it still took a couple of weeks before I could get right through the 30DS workout 1. First day I managed 4 minutes, then couldn't go down stars normally for days! they're not easy!

I've just started so can't offer much help I'm afraid but I will say... those two *kitten* who dumped you... what did they weigh? Add the two together and consider them pounds well lost! You've made a fantastic start :drinker:

One additional thing you might try - I love listening to Jillian Michael's podcasts when I walk. It makes the time go by so much faster. They are free to download from itunes. If you don't have an ipod, you can download itunes for free to any computer and listen to the podcasts straight from your computer if you have to. You might have a fancy phone that would work as well. I have an ipod and carry it with me on my walks. It's so entertaining and inspiring. Some podcasts are better than others but I've even enjoyed listening to some of them more than once.

Good luck! I agree with everyone else offering you advice about doing whatever you can in the beginning. Don't feel you have to do it all. Just making yourself do something 5 min a day is better than nothing. I'm trying to make myself do something everyday. I know we can do it. Enjoy the feeling of your heart pounding in your chest.

One more thing - you max heart rate according to Jillian is 220 less your age. You can aim to work out at 85% of your maximum target. You don't want to go crazy!!

Enjoy the journey!