beginner

bodyweight exercises like you are your own gym & convict conditioning. Also check out youtube for exercise videos like fitness blender, blogilates, etc.

Swimming is great. Just don't swim in shark infested waters.

Kkallisti wrote: »

and you won't tear up your knees if you're a heavier person.

Running (or walking, or run-walking, or hiking, or...) isn't an automatic knee destroyer, not even for heavy people, despite how often non-runners insinuate otherwise. There are hundreds and hundreds of success stories of very heavy people here who took up running and lived to tell the tale and win the medals.

The OP is 23. Assuming you've got otherwise healthy joints and you start a progressive program of training (applies to any exercise) you shouldn't need to worry about your knees. Contrary to popular belief joints *need* to be worked out to remain in optimum health. Use it or lose it really applies here.

I started running in September 2014 at 53 years old and 105 pounds too heavy and couldn't run for even five minutes without stopping to wheezing and wonder why I'd let myself get so badly out of shape. Yet I persisted, sweat and all. I happen to like sweat.

Today in June 2015 I'm 68 pounds lighter and right on track to attaining my goal weight by my birthday this September. I can do a long 25km run with no problem, run 50-60km a week or more, and my knees have never felt better. I feel, and look, many years younger.

@CasieSJ - were you athletic or active before? What did you like to do then? If not... don't worry about it. Your life story has lots yet to be written. You might find you enjoy Spartan races or hiking or running or swimming or cross-fit or cycling or... there are so many choices out there.

One thing I like about running is that unless you live in a war zone you can pretty much do it anywhere. Slip on your shoes and go. No gym membership. It's one of the cheapest exercises out there. You'll need a decent pair of shoes every 500-800 kilometers (depending on the shoe). No drive (or cycle) to the pool.

But if you do take up swimming, run to the pool.

@WhatMeRunning 's story is typical of the vast majority of us. We just got out there and started doing it. Had I listened to the naysayers I shudder to think of where I'd be right now... certainly I would have given up a ton of fun.

Yes, fun.

At some point what seems like a chore (why the hell did someone coin the term workout anyway) can actually become fun, and that is of course true for many of us regardless of the type of exercise we choose to do.

@CasieSJ check around the forums for discussions on C25K (Couch to 5km) - a very popular program that slowly builds you up to being able to run a 5km event. A huge number of heavy people have gone through this program with great success. It's free. All you need are the shoes and will to do it. I'd suggest you do the C25K even if you adopt something else because the cardio will be great for your body, period.

That's great Casie - I look forward to seeing you progress!