Confused, Exhausted and Discouraged:(

Don't be discouraged. Any exercise is better than no exercise. You are at a wonderful place to find your own way when it comes to exercising and calories. There was a thread on here the other day from a poster that has physical limitations and can not do a lot of exercise so they were asking if they would be able to lose the weight. I was surprised to find a lot of responders that say they don't exercise, just stick to the calories and still lose weight. So no, not everyone exercises 2 hours a day 5 days a week. You will find what is good for you so it doesn't matter what someone else is doing - just you.

One other thing--I am working out for an hour at the gym because it gives me some time to myself without my kids or work responsibilities. I put my favorite music on my iPod and just enjoy the time. My job allows me to take my lunch break later in the day, so I go then (gym is two minutes away!). I am able to unwind. You may find that as you are able to increase your workouts, your mind is clearer; then when you sit down to study, your study time will likely be more productive. If you try to start with too much, though, you'll just want to go home and crawl in the bed. Start with what helps you feel good, then increase the time gradually.

I agree with the other folks here that have said not to compare yourself with others. My sister is a dancer and runs half-marathons; my 65 year old father does them with her. If I compare myself to them, I'll just get discouraged. I have to compare myself now with where I was a week ago, or a month ago, or a year ago. THAT will show progress.

Hang in there!

Please don't be discourages!! You have to start somewhere and it looks like you are off to a great start. Any exercise that you are doing now is an improvement if you were previously sedentary! If you feel comfortable increasing it to 30 minutes 3 times a week, try that and just continue to increase as you can handle it. If you try to start with too much, too fast it could be a disaster. I am in the gym 5 days a week every day for about an hour but I can guarantee you it was a gradual process, as in months so please don't give up! Feel free to add me!

Oh yeah, I'm sure someone has already mentioned it but what/how much you eat is more important than how much time you spend working out!

I don't really focus on time, more distance. I started like you a little at a time. I started with 1 mile and didn't care if it took 18 or 30 minutes. I am now up to 3 miles most days. Some days are slower than others. I have a couple different paths so it changes. As long as you are doing something everyday it helps. I found that I had more energy and then I wanted to go farther and faster.

Don't get down on your self. Just set monthly/weekly goals and go from there.

Good Luck,

Try not to compare yourself to other people. I know it's inevitable, but switch it off when you hear it starting up in your head. Compare yourself only to yourself. As in "yesterday I was unable to jog from here to that tree over there, but today I passed the tree and jogged to the house around the corner." Not "the lady in my neighborhood goes around the block 4 times easy." You're not her. You're you, and what you're doing is good.

I lost my weight (35lb) by walking for 40 minutes per day M-F, and then started to add a weekend day here and there. I stayed consistent and watched my calories. Now, 3 years later, I've kept the weight off (with fluctuations during stressful times), and I don't work out for more than an hour 6 days week. I would work out more if I had more time because I like to. But I just wanted to illustrate the points a) it doesn't take much, and b) you will probably end up enjoying exercise more as you go.

Well, I have been on my weight loss journey for about 2 weeks now. I started working out for around 15 min. for three days a week. I assumed I would be burning a lot of calories and was shocked to find that a lot of the members here work out for 2 hours, 5 days a week! I'm begining to feel discouraged because I thought I was doing such a great job with working out, and now, im unsure as to what I should be doing! Before I started on MFP, I was frankly sedentary and extremely lazy, I attend school online so you can imagine exactly how active I actually was. Can anyone help me to get on the right path as far as excercising goes? how many calories should I burn a day?

don't give up. you had the right idea of starting with 15 min per day. I was given this advice when I did a weight loss study this year. Here is a progression scale they gave me: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Lizzy_Sunflower/view/overcoming-exercise-barriers-138177 (and there is a lot more info to read there if you go back to the beginning)

Don't give up on yourself, and resist the temptation to compare yourself to others. They key is to avoid burnout. Do what you can. You won't regret it :drinker:

It's not easy in the beginning. Just keep doing what you're doing. You are starting a new phase in your life. It will not be easy to make changes. Do try to compare yourself to any one else on this site. You can go from a sedentary life style to super athlete in a week or even a month. It is not sustainable. Just keep doing what you can, and add to it each week. If you work out 15 mins try to do 20 next week. Baby steps to a healthier you.

Don’t get discouraged! Everyone is at different places on their weight-loss journey and everyone starts at a different place too. Best not to compare yourself to others, and just do what works for YOU! (I’m sure people before me have said this same thing, but I just don’t have time to read through all the responses right now, haha)

My mom, who has her masters in physical education, says you should increase your workouts in three stages. First, simply increase the frequency of the workout. Sounds like this is where you started. Just begin working out more often. Once your body gets used to that, increase the duration of each individual workout. Keep going the same number of times, just make each workout a little longer. Lastly, increase the intensity. If you’re on the treadmill, start going faster or add an incline; Raise the resistance on the elliptical; Just push yourself harder at each workout. When your body is finally used to all these changes, start the whole process over again!

The key to these steps is to take it slow. Don’t jump to the next stage until your body has a chance to get used to the last change. Pushing yourself too hard too quickly can cause injuries or make you give up from exhaustion, haha!

Hope this helps! Good luck!!!