Weight loss Tips? What is the best exercise for LARGER Women

The best way to start is just plain old walking!!

Walking is a great way to start. Also you can try swimming. It's better for the joints.

I started off with walking, the elliptical, and the Biggest Loser Power Walk DVD.

I've actually been wondering the same thing. I do my walking but wondering if there is more I could be doing. No pool for me.

start with walking, timed, 20 minutes, then 30 and try to power walk a block at a time so you can pick up speed as you get more comfortable.

I started off with walking, the elliptical, and the Biggest Loser Power Walk DVD.

how was the power walk dvd i got it but waiting for the colder weather to start. was it a great workout.?

The key is to find something that YOU like to do...if it is walking, then great. If not, then as long as you are moving you are being successful! Just be patient, be consistent (move regularly). I cannot stand to do the same thing every time so one day I run, one day I walk one day I bike with the kids, one day I dance with video games. The object is to OUTPUT not burn out!...Check the cardiovascular list for ideas that might interest you and be realistic. GOOD LUCK!!!

can do walking, if you just need some place to start, though I highly recommend water aerobics or an elliptical machine if you have access to a gym. I've found for me anyway that I can burn a lot more calories doing anything in the pool than I could on a machine or walking simply because it doesn't bother my joints as much and it is more of a full body workout rather than just walking.

p.s. it's fun too.

I agree with everyone else. Hi I'm new here but not new to exercising and losing weight. Walking is the best and most inexpensive exercise there is. One thing that usually motivates a newbie is that walking will help the belly fat not just the legs. If you can't walk outside Leslie Sansone walk away the pounds dvds are great as well. I'm like 280 my walking partner is about 340 and previously before we fell off the wagon we both lost about 30-40 pounds and we just did walking and dvds for exercise. So it's not about how fast but the time 30 minutes daily. Start at 10-15 minutes maybe 2x a day and work your way up. Hope this helps and encourages you to get moving.

Can't ad much to what others have said...I agree with walking and swimming and water aerobics. But I'm also going to add this: Don't let a larger size body stop you from trying new things. If you belong to a gym, check out the classes. Most, if not all of them will have adaptations for those who cannot do the same moves as a small fitness instructor~ and that's okay! I too ama larger body and I do all the classes I want, because I know to modify for what I can do. If it's a zumba class, modify the moves to slower or lesser to what is comfy for you. I can guarantee if you push yourself to your own personal limit, you will burn calories!! I do these classes at my gym and trust me when I say I'm usually about twice as big as anyone in the room, but I don't care. I burn calories doing what I can, even if the steps/moves arent right/complete, I still am working it hard.

I love the elliptical! The first time you're on it you'll like turn purple & almost pass out LOL but once you get used to it .. it's awesome! it makes you feel like you're floating in a beautiful smooth motion you won't feel fat at all!

Before you begin exercising, think about your overall fitness. Do you have any orthopedic issues, like arthritis or injuries? How about your cardiac health? If your Dr. okays an exercise program, you could first start simply by walking. In fact, before doing any other exercises including weight training, a gentle warm-up, like walking, is important. If you're walking in your neighborhood, look up walkrunjog on the web and plot your route. You can figure speed and time and make up alternate routes. Mall walking, especially in the heat we're experiencing in the SW, or walking on a treadmill, is great too. That's what I do. Start very cautiously, perhaps 5 minutes every other day, the first week. Increase a minute or 2 every other time after that until you can walk for 30 minutes. Then try to increase your speed. I first started at about 2 mph. Because I have knee issues, I will only walk 2.5-3 mph.

Once you walk a bit, then try using free weights. Don't be embarassed to start with small weights. At a cardiac rehab they start everyone, men and women, with 1-pound weights. Look up some simple weight exercises on the web, like bicep curls, pectoral flys, etc. Begin slowly and gradually increase repetitions and sets, then move up to 3, 5, and 7.5 pound weights.

I now work with a trainer, have since March. I was in terrible shape and could barely walk up steps. I told her I wouldn't respond well to a "Jillian" type trainer and wouldn't do things that made me sick or hurt. The results are STUNNING. I am able to walk up steps without pain, get up and down from chairs far easier, and my back pain is gone.

There are plenty of other options: yoga (but if you have trouble getting on the floor and back up, you may need to wait), recumbent cycling (I do this--very effective and easy on my knees and back), the eliptical (I started this last week at 2 minutes, ramp 3, and can now last 5 minutes), and more. My daughter's a Pilates instructor and wants to work with me, but I'm waiting until I'm stronger and more flexible. I have also done the Curves circuit, which is fun too.

This last thing, which I really love and has helped immeasurably, is water aerobics and water walking. If you have access to a pool, go for it. It's great for joints and YOU DON'T SWEAT! And, you really do get a workout. Several years ago I lost 100 pounds and water aerobics (3xweekly) helped greatly. If you don't have a pool, check with your local recreation department or Y.

If I can do it, YOU SURELY CAN!

The one you will do consistently. No matter how great an exercise can be, if it ain't done, then it's useless.

When I started, I hadn't exercised in YEARS and I was over 300. I started with walking and elliptical. I could barely do 3 mins on the elliptical without dying. My trainer set goals to get to 15 mins the first week adn 30 mins the second week. By the end of week two I was at 30 mins. After a bit of feeling more into a routine I started spin class (yes, even at my size). For me, it was a huge motivator because it wasn't boring, there was always something new and it was low impact on my body but high-impact on my fat! :-)

Just find something that you LIKE to do, set goals and you will be more likely to stick with it.