How do I go from couch potato to being fit?

I started off by doing intervals on the bike/ treadmill where I walk for 90 seconds and then run/ ride hard for 30 seconds and eventually my fitness started improving. Some days I feel more tired than others but if you can motivate yourself enough to get in the door or start your workout then you are making great progress. I make sure I listen to my body and even if I have a day where I dont do as good as I wanted to instead of getting down I think to myself that at least I made an effort to get some exercise in. Weights are also one of the best ways to burn fat as your metabolism is increased for about 72 hours after a good weights session. I learnt by copying others at the gym and watching youtube videos and reading posts on here.

When I first decided to lose weight, I couldn't stand the idea of a gym, so I just did small things around my normal day to help get started - the obvious ones are tracking what you eat etc, but just start consciously being a *little* more active - even if it's something small like parking five minutes from your destination and walking the rest, standing up and moving about for a couple of minutes when you've been sat down for a while etc.

You'll soon find that it does get easier, and with it your confidence rises, and you can join that walking group

I started with Leslie Sansone's Walk At Home videos I found on Youtube. (I know, she has DVD's too, but this was a way to get started without buying yet another fitness DVD to add to the pile.. )

She has a 1 Mile video that only takes about 20 min. including cool down. Leslie is a bit chatty, which some people don't like, but it kept my mind of the fact that I was getting all sweaty and out of breath a little, even with just 15 min. really...
Youtube has a lot of videos, working up to I think 5 miles in various levels, so you can keep walking at home if you'd like, and then add outdoor activities to the mix when you're ready.

shut off your tv...that's what I had to do...I had a PhD in being a couch potato...had it down to a science...I canceled cable, took the dog for a walk after work instead of turning on the tv the minute I walked in the door, and the eating slowed down. I avoided the store I always hit on my way home from work for my bingeing yummies, and then came the decision to tighten up my food choices.

Do ONE thing!! Just one first...then another ....and another...drastic changes calls for drastic swings of our mind to right itself and they rarely last....if you sneak attack it...small stuff gradually, before you know it, you look back and will see the progress you've made!

Once you control the mind and get the tools for staying focused, then you can implement all the other tools with heading into a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to all the other suggestions, try starting a lifting/weight bearing exercise program. When I first started MFP several years ago, it had been years since I'd done any sort of real physical activity, except walking. There are many bodyweight programs to get you started. NerdFitness.com has bodyweight programs, BodyBuilding.com and there's a huge number of them on YouTube. You can do them in your own home

I actually picked up New Rules of Lifting for Women. I couldn't even pick up the oly bar, I was lucky to pick up 2 pound weights. But I kept at it and slowly but surely added weight. I did the first stage at home, because my husband had a bench, barbell and weights but joined a gym for the rest.

Lifting is great for women, especially older women - it helps prevent or improve bone density - my osteopenia is gone in my hips and improved in both my spine and shoulders. It also helps if you have arthritis. And it makes you STRONG!!

Hun try walking on grass, that will help with shin splints. Make sure u have some proper shoes/trainers. Also the nhs has a free podcast programme called couch to 5k.....and it's exactly that....it takes u from zero fitness up to 5k. Really good programme and doesn't matter how many weeks u repeat. Search for it on google.

Welcome to the world of exercise. First-- choose something you like to do and that is easy (to start). It's better to begin with 30 mins or so, so that you don't injure yourself, and then up it by 10mins every week after that. Another good idea is to start with a good stretching routine every morning. You can find books with this info, or youtube. Once you start feeling stronger you may want to look into a gym or join a walking or running group. Some people like solitude, others love to chat and exercise. You need to find what works for you. Best of luck.