To those big losers out there :-)

In my opinion running right off the block is not a good idea. From all I have read, walking is the best way to start. Move up to some short runs at a moderate pace and increase as you feel stronger and lighter.
If you have access to an eliptical trainer you can adjust your cardio to your specific needs.
It has been my experience that most people that start out with an intense jog, stop jogging and trash their whole program eventualy.
You can even chart the level of your walks on MFP.
IT seems that when starting a new life style and exercise program "baby steps" is the way to start and stay interested.
Good Luck

I lost 90 pounds by walking. My speed increased over time as I lost weight and gained condition. I didn't start running until I was already at a healthy weight and mainly just run for the sheer joy of being able to. Ten years ago I thought I'd never run again. It's amazing what our bodies can do with some time and effort.

I started running last August at ~218 lbs. I've been running ever since, tracking my food on MFP and doing occasional strength training. I've lost over 50 lbs and I'm not done yet. I've run a 5k, 10k and my first half is in a week. Start slow with good shoes and you can do it!

I started running pretty much at your weight.... It was hell, and I couldn't run for more than 3 minutes. And after those 3 minutes I couldn't really continue. But with time I got better and now I can go for about 30 minutes without stopping. It could be better but I don't really like running so I use it only as an exercise fill on days when I couldn't go swimming. I also don't go to a gym (at least not regularly) and except for a few pushups ans situps I don't do any other exercise.

My personal advise if you want to take up running is to get some good shoes. They won't make you run faster or longer like the ads would have us believe but at least your joints wont hurt as much.

I gotta respond...my weight loss goal is similar to the OP...I think you want to lose 90 pounds right?

I started walking in October of last year...and lost about 25 pounds...I was around 235 I think when I first attempted the Couch to 5K program. I ran the first minute...but just about died the second minute and I was super frustrated and quit. Well I kept walking...anywhere from 10-20 miles per week...and just last week I felt the urge to RUN!

So now at 212 ( I am 5'9")... I just started the C25K program again. And I completed the first two days with no problem! Yeah it's tough, but the sense of accomplishment makes following the program so worth it!

I just started a little group of about 7 of my Facebook friends and we are all doing it together...if you decide to start, you might wanna do that too. You then have accountability and it helps to share your accomplishments!

And I will second ( maybe 8th) the comments on get good shoes. They are worth more than the $100 in pain if you don't do it.

After having done ballet for 10 years my knees don't like it very much when I run no matter how many times I get fitted for the correct running shoe. I prefer dancing. I've been doing Zumba at home plus bellydancing. I haven't lost a lot yet but I do believe doing what's fun is way more important to your success. I started at 230 so don't be scared! We all started at some point. Good luck to you!

I have always hated running....even on my lighter days in high school....hated running that mile in PE.

At my heaviest I started walking first just a mile, and as the weight came off the miles got more and more. I walk at least 5over to six miles a day and now I have started running and love it!!! Up to running almost 1.5 miles but it is added into my walking miles.

My ultimate goal is to run a 1/2 marathon.

I've just started working on integrating jogging into my fitness regime, along with biking...I'm loving the challenge of it all. I might not be able to jog for more than two minutes at a time, but I usually try and jog two minutes worth every 10 minutes. I don't even think about it, it's weird, i just kinda WANT to do....I've been swimming since this journey started and can pretty much go non-stop...Just wish I knew how to go faster, my mechanics seem to be okay, just something ain't clicking in the speed department...I think that is what irks me the most about swimming laps...I like riding my bike and finding that my stamina gets better and my push up the hills get better...Just wish my old tailbone injury would be kinder to me afterward..There are so many healthy activities out there, and so much of the world too see, that just sticking with one activity would bore me...My ultimate goal is to participate in a triathlon and finish....I don't care what place I come in, I just want to finish....Good Luck to you ALL!

I think your son riding his bike, even with the training wheels, is a perfect workout partner. Keeping pace with him will ensure you start slow and don't do too much too soon, thus avoiding injury. As you both get better, the pace will pick up naturally.

This is a great idea.

I started running at 229lbs...and now 9 months later I am 177lbs...so it does work, but it's not the only thing I have done. I did Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, zumba, davina fit dvd and lots of walks in my lunchtime. I started with C25K if that helps. Friend me if you would like support

I tried running but it just wasn't really my sort of exercise. I love the gym, mainly classes, pump (weights), step (cardio) and yoga. I am also doing the 30DS.

I don't consider myself one of the biggest losers yet. I want to lose 103lbs. I'm only at like 60 and I have been struggling the last 8 months. I lost most of my weight in the first 6 months. This is what I did:

When I first started to work out. I walked the treadmill for around 1-2 hours a day 3 days a week. I had a 2k diet.

About 2 months in, I started strength training about 20-40 minutes 5 days a week, then walked on the treadmill 1-2 hours, 5 days a week. 1800 cal diet.

Since then I have dropped my calorie intake about 100 calories at a time to see what make me gain/lose weight. I will never ever go below 1400 calories a day. I just don't think its healthy for me.

At this time I go to the gym 6 days a week. All 6 of them I strength train alternating upper and lower body, abs and back every day. I am just starting to lift heavier and I LOVE it! That usually takes me around 1-1.5 hours. I do around 30 minutes of moderate to high intensity cardio a day. I am suppose to take Sundays off but I always end up doing a bunch of stuff around the apartment or going for a walk.
Currently I burn around 700-1500 HRM calories a day. It is usually averages around 900 HRM calories burned per day

I found that buying an HRM is very beneficial. MFP estimates and the machines are almost always inaccurate. They overestimate by about 30-50%. I suggest one with a chest strap, Polar FT4 is what I use and has never messed up on me.

I was at a 1600 calorie intake for months and that was working for a while. Currently I am trying to boost my metabolism and raised my calorie intake to 2100 cal a day. I am really struggling to eat enough without filling my diary with junk.

I guess the best advice I can give to you is push hard. Always push yourself and never get comfortable. If your not sweating, your not working hard enough.
Simple: Exercise and eat right. There is no secret weapon. Fad diets wont work in the long term. Just keep it easy.

Oh and here is a tid bit you might like: For every pound of muscle you gain, you burn an extra 50-100 calories a day just sitting there! I know it give me hope for the future that I will be able to maintain my weight later on

I started out with walking and doing pilates and then progressed to walking/jogging intervals. After I had lost about 30 lbs., I joined a gym and did lots of classes -- kickboxing, Zumba, circuit training, hip hop dance, yoga, Centergy (a fast paced combination of yoga and pilates), barbell class (high reps, low weight), water fitness, spinning, step aerobics, etc. I went to about 4 classes per week. On the other days I would maybe do the elliptical machine, exercise bike, or do jog/walk intervals. When I was getting close to my goal weight, I started running but I've never gotten very good at it. I can run a 5K in about 38 minutes. Now 10 months into maintenance, I mainly do heavy lifting and only run occasionally.

I am .2 away from 60 lbs lost. I don't run. I do DVDs and the elliptical.

I started on eliptical only then went 45 min on eliptical and 45 min on treadmill. I did not worry about speed just did my best. Evuentually I moved to the treadmill only 45 min to 60 minutes then kept increasing speed (HIT). Now Im purely outdoor runner and ive lost about 80lbs by running and eating right. I am looking to start some form of weight training. Oh yea and I run 5-6 days a week 8 miles each time sometime further if I can work it in. My daughter calls me obsessive.