Newbie! Exercising at home/for free?

Have a look at this thread: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

The bodyweight programmes can all be done at home, as can some of the dumbbell ones, and are a great place to start. I'm currently doing the Strong Curves bodyweight programme (I think under the bodyweight ones as Bootyful Beginnings) and love it - the Strong Curves e-book is something like $8 from Amazon, and includes all the templates for the more advanced programmes as well, plus instructions for something like 300 different exercises all up. I've also done the Nerd Fitness one in the past. Fitness Blender is another great website with tons of free workout available. Even yoga can give you a good bodyweight workout, that's where I started out, and it's particularly good for developing core strength and functional movement. I highly recommend Yoga With Adriene on YouTube. And walking. Never underestimate walking!

The main factor in weight loss is making sure you're in a calorie deficit - this comes down to you being accurate about what you eat and drink that contributes to your calorie intake. Losing fat/weight will make you look and feel more trim and toned.

Exercising with or without a gym is great - the body weight programs mentioned above would be a good start for incorporating resistance training. This will help you to maintain muscle. You can also just make an effort to move more - walk, take the stairs, dance etc

I echo all the previous recommendations. Also, do you by chance have stairs in your home? Walking up and down those for 30 min. will get that heart rate up!

Agree with all other comments. I do use a gym but when I started I was self conscious about my weight (I learned later I shouldn't have been but that's another story), so I started with, just moving. I decided that in my 40 minute break in work I'd use 10 minutes, every day, and walk. That was the start and I built on that over a year from 10, to 20, to 30...you get the picture. I eventually joined a gym but I lost a lot of weight by doing that.

Bottom line? Find something you enjoy and do that. Best of luck to you!

Search for "Leslie Sansone" on YouTube. She has walking workouts that are basically gentle aerobics (no jumping-type moves) in different lengths so you can find something that works for your fitness level.

I'm currently the biggest I've ever been but can't afford to go to a gym.

Understand, as others have said, that weight loss happens in the kitchen, not the gym.

Exercise is great for health but unless you are doing tremendous amounts of exercise you will far more effectively generate a calorie deficit through not eating things rather than by exercise.

I've lost 14 lbs so far by counting calories and getting 10,000 steps most days. I've missed a day or two here or there. You don't have to get an expensive Fitbit. I just use a pedometer from Amazon that was $20. I like the Omron brand as it's small enough to fit in my bra. I wouldn't start out with 10,000 steps if you usually get 2,000 - 3,000, as I did before starting. I got shin splints and had to rest a week. Just wear it for a day or two to see what you average, then gradually build it up. It does tone for those who start with no muscle tone. My husband has noticed and he's not one for empty compliments! I march in place a lot because I homeschool and don't have time for long walks. So I march or jog in place as I teach and supervise. It really works, and isn't hard to do!

I have very low energy, always have even when a normal weight, and this is good because it helps tone but doesn't leave me so exhausted that I can't move for hours or days. I'm sure higher intensity exercise is more effective, but not for me, because I simply don't end up doing it.

I'd also suggest Fitness Blender and Leslie Sanson. Fitness Blender is nice because you can enter your fitness level, what type of exercise, how long you want to exercise, etc. to get videos that you can do. They have videos from gentle stretches to intense cardio. Leslie Sanson is basic and easy, but keeps you moving. I found one of her DVDs at a yardsale and I like to pop it in occasionally because I really don't mind it at all. She's upbeat and if you have joint issues, her videos are gentle.

You may also want to look into "prison" bodyweight exercises or "You are your own gym." They're great if you don't have equipment.

Walking is always an option as well. You don't gotta go fast, you just need to move more than you are now. Increase your speed or distance a bit every few days.

I'm also going to echo what others have said about eating less calories and healthier foods though. Most major weight loss comes from your diet. Exercise just helps you look and feel better.

I started resistance training at home doing sets of wall push-ups every other day or so. After a bit I added squats and lunges, then started doing the Nerd Fitness beginner bodyweight circuit. I just bought the Fitness Blender bodyweight program, so that's next up for me. Working out at home is the best. Although if you have the space, I would suggest investing in a floor mat (I've got a couple sets of these) - they're reasonably cheap and make working out a lot more comfortable.