Anyone else all alone?

Do what you can do and then push yourself to do just a little bit more. I tell myself that I can quit after 5 minutes, but rarely to I do it. Getting started is the hardest thing for me. Keep plugging along and you will build up endurance. Just keep telling yourself that you can do it. I always look at it that whatever I did is that much more than what I would have done before I started this journey. :flowerforyou:

Welcome back- getting up and starting again is a great thing! When I would start a fitness regime and I was out of shape, I would do as much of it as I could and then leave the class if I had to. In no time at all I was doing the whole class. Just wanted you to know you can start out slow and not be embarrassed. Do what you've got to do to get back on track. You can do it!

I agree the hardest thing to do is step into a class the first time knowing you are out of shape. But you have all ready decided to make a change in your lifestyle, why not get the encouragement at those classes that classmates can give you. Many of them started at your spot one day in time. You might find a person to exercise with or simply jus tto smile and say hello to. It took you years to get to the shape you arein now, it will take time to get to the shape you want to be. But it is all worth the effort.

Firstly you are not all alone - there are thousands of people out there in exactly the same situation.

I felt aweful that I couldn't do physical exercise as I was ill for a few months and it made me pile on the weight (well technically it was the poor diet but you know what I mean) so I can empathise.

Don't worry about not being able to manage a whole class, they are designed for all abilities and with perseverance you will manage it too and each week you will see an improvement. I know I always admire someone more for getting out there and trying than sitting on their bum and not bothering.

I'm new here as well. Sort of. I joined some time ago, but fell off the wagon so to speak, but am back on again with gusto!

I'm not trying to lose a whole lot of weight, just 20 - 25 pounds, but it's hard work! I'm post menopausal, have asthma (since childhood) but I try not to let it get in my way, though some days I have to. I have high blood pressure and that is my main reason for wanting to drop the weight.

My problem? A husband who can eat anything and everything and magically does not gain weight and has no cholesterol problems, blah blah blah. Makes it difficult as he has discovered he likes being in the kitchen cooking! Double edged sword as I get a break, but not from the calories etc.

I can't join a club for many reasons, but have learned to improvise. My big thing is walking. I walk at least once a day. I started slowly going about .7 of a mile. Day by day I increased it short increments. I'm now up to 4 miles a day. I also improvise a stair climber by using real stairs. I stand at the bottom and go up two and back down. 5 minutes increased to 15 and now I do the whole flight 15 minutes. Weight lifting? You don't need machines or barbells! Use a soup can in each hand!

I have to admit, my legs and arms are looking much better, but my mid section is going to take a lot more time and work. I didn't get this way overnight. I certainly don't hope to look like I did when I was in my 20s or 30s, but I'll take 40s!

I started off looking at the total amount of weight I want/ have to lose. That was a big mistake. I'm setting smaller goals of a pound a week. I've lost 5 pounds and bought myself a small reward. I went to Michaels and bought some watercolor paper. Next 5 might be a book. I don't know if it will work for you, but it's helping me.

Hang in there and good luck to you!

It's comforting to see so many people have responded to this post. I too am alone for the most part. I can empathize with you about letting yourself get unconditioned and gaining a bunch of weight due to illness and inactivity. I have zero muscle tone from not being active for 4 years. I had to have 3 surgeries in 3 years where 75% of that time my right leg was in a cast. The other 25% of the time was spent having a broken hip that wasn't diagnosed for 5 months! I had to recover from that too.

Now I'm trying to get back into the routine of exercising, however I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and a host of other medical concerns. I can only do so much, but I keep trying and trying, especially on my good days. I'm up to 15 mins on my Gazelle. Today I'll try for 20 mins. Maybe taking it slow in the beginning is the answer in order to build endurance. At least I hope so.

My concern is this...will I be able to gain back some muscle tone, especially at my age (late 50's)?

You're not alone! I was 5 pounds from my goal 2 1/2 years ago. Not sure what happened... but I gained 30 pounds back and I'm now back to struggling with my weight. Not sure why!! I was much happier when I was comfortable in my skin.

Bottom line, you're never alone! We're all in this together and have the same struggles. This is a great community and the support helps tremendously! Feel free to add me everyone!

Hey guuuuuuuurl,

Know what's great? You're on MFP now! So you're not alone! Woo!! Let's party! And by party I mean go to those fitness classes and work really hard and sweat like crazy and laugh at each other and ourselves and at stupid jokes we make and then get soooo tired that we may or may not finish the class but who the heck cares because we sweat a lot and had fun. Also we can share how we're feeling with each other, even if how we're feeling makes no sense or is really sad, cuz guess what? We all get sad. And that's just reality, so we can all relate to it, and talking about it makes it better so we can pick each other up and keep moving forward.

Best of luck in all your endeavors!!!!!!
- Mary

Your DEF not alone and thanks for posting . I can REALLY relate.. I went through a Transformation of sorts and lost forty lbs a Couple years ago. I was eating sensibly and doing Kickboxing 5x a week . I FELT amazing, Powerful , Like there wasnt anything I couldnt accomplish after that..

Then my 28 year old Boyfriend was Diagnosed with Cancer.. It was devastating to say the least and between his 8 hour a day chemo sessions, the stress of watching someone you love suffer and working Full time I was EXHAUSTED and running on fumes while pretending to keep it all together.. The Thing I was slacking the most on was my diet and Excerise. I have gained alot back and now I am kinda Ashamed to go back to Kickboxing. I felt like a failure

I know we gotta start somewhere.. I think the best advice is that you can only go at your level.. Plus nobody else there that is serious about there own fitness is watching what you are doing.. I know that was a big thing for me.. Good Luck !!

Based on my experience, start with very manageable goals. Something that feels easy and be patient with yourself.
Just walk for 1 minute a day for one week even if you feel like you can do more. If do something easy to start with, it will give you the confidence and the motivation to keep going. The other thing that I learned is that you can't let your mood determine whether or not you follow through with your goals. You just have to do it. But if you start slowly, you won't be intimidated or overwhelmed.
Then walk for 2 minutes per day for one week.
Add minutes incrementally until you can at least walk for 30 minutes/day.
I went from a couch potato to running a full marathon 12 years ago using this approach. I literally walked for one minute per day to start. After months of incrementally adding walking minutes, I then incrementally started jogging.

I am now starting over after a few years of no exercise and this is the approach that I am using again.

Best wishes!