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New to Fitness!

hkirk806
hkirk806 Posts: 1 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm a 50 year old woman who has never excercised before! My weight has yo-yo'd and now I need to lose 40-50 lbs. I want to incorporate fitness into my day. Whenever I start, I push too hard get sore and quit. I would like to start walking and strength training but don't know where to start. I'm excited to be 50 and I want a healthy strong body to go with my new decade! Any advice is welcome.

Replies

  • wilsoncl6
    wilsoncl6 Posts: 1,280 Member
    Well, sorry to tell you that soreness comes with the territory. However, there is a difference between muscle soreness/fatigue and pain from injury. I have never started a program and not been sore. It happens when you work muscles different than what they're used to. However, that pain shouldn't be continual as your body should adapt. The best thing to do is to get a plan and stick with it. Also, not sure what you mean by "fitness". Are you just trying to lose weight, gain muscle, a little bit of both? You have to get to the right place mentally. The physical part of it is only half of it.
  • liftzilla16
    liftzilla16 Posts: 59 Member
    Learn to love the soreness now because if you want to start strength training you're going to be sore a lot! If you know you have a problem with quitting, start easy the first couple weeks and work your way into things so that your body learns to handle it. You could consider drinking protein shakes or taking other natural supplements to help alleviate the soreness too.
  • michellesz
    michellesz Posts: 429 Member
    I would start by doing any physical activity such as walking, bike riding, treadmill, basic dancing around or aerobics. Parking further away, takig the stairs or doing some lunges. Google basic beginners workouts. There are tons of free workouts available!!!! Pick some that are fun~make it fun. Calories in vs. calories out and you will lose just from being more active. Then, start to create daily workout routines for yourself once you are comfortable you can even start to use light weights. Google strength training for beginners. Also search MFP site as they are so many previous posts and great advice! Good luck,
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
    edited April 2016
    Start by walking 15 minutes a day 5 days a week. Make sure your 2 days off are not back to back. Increase walking time to 20 minutes 5x week. Then 25 min x5. Then 30 min x 5. When you can do 30 minutes 5x a week you can vary it. Go faster one day. Do a hilly walk another day. Go for 45 minutes one day. Whatever-just mix it up.

    I'm 57 and just down 25 lbs by walking and keeping at or under my given calories. (my diabetes diagnosis has helped my motivation)

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