I LOVE free weights because you can palpably feel progress happen as it gets easier to lift the weights and then you move up to a heavier weight. I like core strengthening for the same reasons, it is an accomplishment to be able to plank longer or do more crunches, etc. and there is no like...focus on being thinner or weight etc to discourage me. It is also super amazing to get stronger and lift something that you couldn't or dance all night at a party and not be sore the next day, etc. Increased cardio activity + strength training rewarded me pretty fast with a body that was in less pain.

I have a trainer who helps me with learning proper form and new exercises because I used to have back problems and am scared to mess my back up again by doing exercises incorrectly or the wrong ones. I also need to spend the money on the trainer to keep me on track, which kind of sucks tbh. I love going and she is amazing and totally worth paying for but it is expensive. When I stopped going to her to save money I just did not exercise as much

The next thing I want to get into is resistance bands, which are cheap and portable and there's a lot you can do with them at home or at the park, etc. So far she has me just side-stepping with the lowest resistance band around my ankles, like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wxB-4MdDMY

The main thing to remember is when you do stuff like the resistance bands, suck in your abdominal muscles and tighten your butt muscles if you can--breathe, but like concentrate on having a tight core.

Walking, some gentle free weights and resistance bands would be a good combo for exercises you can do at home and that you will quickly see positive results in your body (less pain, strength) that aren't about being thin