Overwhelmed and feeling hopeless.

I felt this way in the beginning of my lifestyle change. I could not even walk up my stairs w/o feeling overworked. It really does get easier, just push yourself a little more each time you do it and you will start to notice it'll be cake for you! Good luck!

Inclined push-ups against the wall is how I started out. Each week I would do strength training 2 days and cardio 2 days at least. On my strength training days I would start out with 10 push-ups for the first week then up it to 15 even if I had to go back to get the other 5 in. Then 20 the next week and so on. Even if it takes you all day to meet your rep goal just keep trying to push it out. Also doing squats is a strength exercise, and so are lunges. There are lots of work outs you can do with the resistance bands. Look up videos on You Tube for some start out workouts with them. I hope that you can find an easy routine to get you started and not feeling so overwhelmed.

When I was at the very start of the beginner line (in March) I hired a personal trainer who comes to my house. She showed me proper form and how to use my various tools, including bands.

If that's not an option, find modifications for those common moves that trouble you. Or, forgo the bands and pushups right now and do something simpler like Walk Away The Pounds. After a month of that, look for a good light weight training video. I recommend Collage Video's website to view short clips of DVDs. They also categorize workouts according to type (cardio, toning, etc). Then, once you find something you like, check out the reviews for that DVD on Amazon and go from there.

Good luck!!

I just want to add I was in the same boat. It does get better and just keep at it, don't get discouraged with numbers like you can only lift x or do this x amount of times.

I know my biggest issue is constantly pushing myself, I find if I let myself I would just do the same weight every week at the gym but then I wouldn't really see any progress. So I constantly push myself harder each week, sure some weeks I do a lot more and other weeks I have to back down in weights a lot (I don't get it but whatever). And sure doing the workout I think man I hate doing this exercise, OMG this hurts so much, ugh I don't want to push this freakin barbell up one more time..

However by the end of the exercise you feel awesome, you feel like you accomplished something and you pushed yourself. Its rewarding in itself..

And for the record I couldn't do a normal pushup and I am a guy, but after like 4 months in the gym I can do quite a few pushups and wonder why I found them so hard before. Now if only pull ups were that easy Just keep at it, even if you only do half a push up.. Eventually you will do more

Ogrillion

Everyone has to start somewhere. There are alot of ways to learn proper technique and what exercises are the best to do. You can hire a personal trainer, you can take a group exercise strength class where the instructor will help you, you can get a dvd that shows routines and listen to the cueing techniques, etc. I'm a fitness instructor and personal trainer. If you have certain moves you are curious about, let me know and I'll video some tips for you. Let me know. =]