Recommendations for Beginner Exercising

Start something with a friend.
A few weeks ago I was just starting out and had basically never exercised before, had no idea what to do and didn't really want to do anything anyway.
It was only chance that a friend said she was starting the gym and asked if anyone else would like to go. We go over to the next town (purely to avoid people we all know!), but it was definitely a kick start. I love going to the gym now and go far more than the others. I've started 2 30 day challenges with a couple of friends and plan to start swimming too, again with a friend.
For me, the friend part is key. I wouldn't have started the gym on my own, nor the challenges and DEFINITELY not swimming. It's good motivation, good competition, you get to socialise and build bonds. Plus, all the time I'm at the gym and for about 3 hours afterwards I'm not hungry at all so that's just a bonus!

It is important to find something you like. It sounds like 30 day challenge isn't your thing. If you have a lot of time I would walk- it is easy on the joints and gets you moving without too much exhaustion. Take one day at a time and know that you will feel so much better everyday if you get more movement in-- both mentally and physically. Dancing is fun- Biking - Hiking- ask yourself what you enjoy...

start small, pick one thing to tackle and then do that. I started at over 300 pounds some years back, I used to just throw myself into diets and exercise and burn out. This time I simply battled my problems one by one and added new things as I progressed. I started with my diet because that was my main problem, I read a book called the beck diet solution - which is cognitive behavioural therapy - not actually a diet, which teaches you to recognize the unhelpful thinking that causes the overeating in the first place, and I started watching what I ate and then trying to do more steps in a day and generally moving more. I say get a fitbit if you can, simply seeing how little you move can be enlightening and encourage you to take more steps. Now every day I run on the spot to get my steps up a bit. I jog while brushing my teeth, while cooking etc. And have only now completed a 30 days fitness plan and am on a 12 week one. Basically don't try to start too much at once, just slowly make changes and stick to them and realise it could be quite slow progress, but don't give up. (the book teaches you how to avoid the thinking errors that lead to giving up on a diet).

If your anything like me, the thought of getting hot and sweat in front of people is not something your ready for yet. I have a walk away the pounds dvd, that I do at home, it doesn't need much room and I can do it in the comfort of my living room. It's a good starting point and you can increase your distance..eventually you may feel good enough to walk outside! You can just watch it on you tube, take a look. I think it's Leslie sanser who does it will, will check the name and get back to you.

Over the last two years I've lost 95 lbs, going from 267 to 172. The only things I did at first were walk 30-60 minutes every day and track my food intake. My advice is to make one or two small changes at a time, things you can live with. With me the first two changes were to eliminate all sugary drinks and walk daily. That alone was good for almost 20lbs before I even started counting calories. Once I saw success from those small changes, I was really motivated for the next, and the next and so on.

Two rounds of insanity and a thousand miles of hiking\mountian climbing later and it's hard to believe I'm the same person. People I've known for years don't recognize me when they see me. I wouldn't have been able to do any of that had I not just been patient and taken baby steps at first. Success builds success, so set yourself up for some.

My wife has had the same results as me from doing it the same way too.

I second trying to walk more, take the stairs more, etc. It's a really good place to start that will prep you a bit for a "workout".

You could also explore flexibility routines. Most people have issues with flexibility that will affect movement and make even really common exercises (like squats) difficult, painful, or likely to cause injury. Remember to warm up a bit first (even walking on the spot) so you don't stretch your muscles when they aren't ready.

Beginner yoga is another great option. And I recommend trying out a huge variety of instructors, because there are a lot of different styles and types. You want an instructor who really explains the poses, goes at the pace that is right for you, and focuses on learning and experiencing and practicing (not achieving or perfecting).

YouTube is awesome for free workout vids of all kinds.

Goals can be fun too. Let's say you can't even do 1 push-up. So you could make a goal to be able to do 1 perfect push-up, and do some research into building up to it. Create a plan, and execute it -- you'll get to see real progress.

Another good tip is to *really* take rest seriously in the beginning. We tend to get too gung-ho and overdo it at first, and our bodies really struggle if they're not used to being so active. If you feel lethargic or sick or really sore, rest, or do active recovery (like stretching, gentle yoga, free time swimming, etc). Don't stress at first about how many days you're taking off, just challenge yourself when you feel you're genuinely up for it, and rest when you feel like it would be beneficial.

Drink enough, sleep enough, get enough sunlight, eat at least moderately well, etc. Take injuries (and potential injuries -- such as tender spots) seriously. Research and have someone help you check your form early and periodically.

Finally, re: workout videos. Remember that they are supposed to be something you work up to being able to do, not something you're supposed to be able to do perfectly on your first try. Otherwise, they'd not really be very valuable, as we only progress when we challenge ourselves. So you want a video that includes a lot of things that you feel you can work up to doing, and that is labelled for beginners (so it doesn't include, say, handstands). Try to stick with the whole thing, and employ strategies to help you do this: Go at half time or even slower (maybe you get 1 push-up for every 5, oh well). Modify (don't go down as low into a squat, etc). Substitute (one spot is too high impact, sub something low impact, etc). Pause it to catch your breath. Let your limbs down to shake 'em out. Don't get frustrated or beat yourself up -- you'll notice how each time you do the video that oh, you got more reps in, didn't have to pause at that one spot, etc, and you'll get to see great progress and feel awesome when you finally nail something.

Remember that it only feels awful at first. It gets a lot better pretty quickly!