peri and just don't know how to begin

Hi. It's a great time to start. Rest assured the symptoms will all go away. Being active will help. When I went through it, I became less active and gained too much weight. The extra weight did not help. I will be 60 in a few months; 5'4"; started a healthy weight loss and light exercise plan on December 6, 2013 at 173 pounds. I am now 143 pounds and I feel great, sleep better, have improved my cholesterol levels to the point that my doctor no longer wants blood work every 6 months and I am wearing clothes I never thought I would wear again in my life. There are plenty of great people here who will support you every step of the way. Feel free to add me. I am sending a friend request.

Hi,

I felt exactly as you do about 6 months ago. Shattered all the time and getting fatter. I started by joining some fitness classes, asking friends to come for a walk and catch up instead of meeting for coffee or wine, and doing some powerwalking. I was definitely the least fit person in all of the classes, and one of the plumpest. I didn't go every week, but tried to most weeks.

Then I discovered an outdoor fitness class. It was brilliant to get all that fresh air and sunlight and to enjoy nature while getting fit. Suddenly I wanted to go every week. Then the instructor suggested I join her running group. I laughed. I'm nearly 50 and have never run in my life, not even for a bus, not even when I weighed 130lbs. But she talked me into it and taught me posture and how to strike the ground correctly, which shoes to buy (not crazily expensive either.) Since then I've been running two times a week on average. My energy is increased, my moods are much better and without dieting I've lost the first 7lbs. Now I'm on MFP to be more careful about food, as I was still scoffing cake and crisps and wine despite the exercise.

So my suggestion is to get moving outdoors, whatever the weather, and with someone. Now I meet someone to go running with every week. As we are not close friends, just running partners I wouldn't dare let her down. We push each other and encourage each other a bit. But maybe it's just that old truth of trying everything - zumba or bellydancing or aquaerobics etc until you find something you really love and look forward to, that you can afford. But it's also important to build some exercise and variety in every week - I still walk with friends on non-running days.

If you work, ask colleagues if they want to powerwalk for 15 mins at lunch time, and also walk 20 mins of the way home each day.

The main thing is to get into a habit of exercise that you enjoy. Also, I found having a professional trainer really valuable. I'm not naturally very co-ordinated and the tips she gave about how to run really transformed my outlook on exercise. I have about one personal session with her every few months just to pick up new skills, and then go to her classes (outdoor bootcamps) the rest of the time.