Any advice?

Okay, so I know that getting active is a big part of this journey, however I've never been an active person and aside from archery there hasn't been any excercise I ever liked. With that said, I joined my Community Y since they have a fitness facility and its very inexpensive for me (large family, limited income, gotta watch where and how I spend). They do not however have anyone really there to help show me what I should be doing...... Any of you have any advice? Sites? They have tredmills, bike, steppers, weights, but i have no clue what i shoudl be doing. PLace was intimitading but I'm not letting it get to me... .I just wish I knew where to start; what to try first and what I should be doing to help me get healthier... Any advice would help... going to a professional trainer or a large gyms is out the question financially!

Hi Faye, I have an idea. How bout doing an internet search on "beginning level circuit training". After i read your post, I did a quick search and found many results...unfortunately i just don't know how to link the results to you here... I wish you luck. I think i may join the Y after reading your post. I never realized it could be more affordable than other gyms Take care Bevi

Your local Y actually works with the United Way and has financial assistance for those who need it so it might be worth it to ask....Faye did you ask at the desk for assistance?? I know at our Y they have a 12 week program for beginners...they have a trainer show you how to use the cardio machines...they also take you through the weight machines ....show you how to use them ....how much weight to start out with, which settings to use, etc.....ALSO.....on each machine, there are instructions and most of the time, pictures on how to use them....DON'T EVER feel intimidated by the other people there....even if they look like sweathogs and barbie dolls.....even they had to begin somewhere......everybody is there for the same reason......health......most of the time people are more than happy to help...and to show off their skills....and their muscles.......pretty soon......you'll be the ole pro....helping the other new people out!! Don't forget...if they have a pool...water exercise is awesome too...they have many water classes available!!

Hi Faye, congratulations on starting to excercise. It's hard. but once I start I'm happy to be there. I go on the bike for 30 minutes and the elipical for 10 to 15 minutes and then I do machines. While I'm on the bike I watch what other people do and then I'll do that too. I think the site is FITTV.COM I'm not too sure but try that and if it's the right site it will show you how to do different excercises. good luck and keep it going. It's too easy to fall back into our couch potato mode. Koukla 338/179

Thanks for the advice... gonna check out FITTV.COM and google beginning level circuit training. I'm sure I'll find something there.... Not sure if my local Y is part of the YMCA/YWCA group...... but I'm paying $25.00 total from now (april 1st****il August 1st. At that point to renew its $50.00 for a full year... I live in Manchester though and I know the town has a lot of events and activities at very good rates which I hope to take advantage of as i get more comfortable with things. Thanks a lot for the help! Gonna go look at the sites now! Faye

Hi Faye. The most important thing you can do to incorporate exercise into your daily living is to find something that you enjoy doing! If you approach it as a chore, an obligation, something that you HAVE to do but don't enjoy doing, you won't be doing it for long. Experiment with different options: treadmills, elipticals, swimming (Y's generally have great pools!), stationary bikes, there's all sorts of stuff out there. But find what you like! Another great thing you can do is just start walking outside. I walk 3 miles every Saturday and Sunday with my dog and I do cross-training for at least 2 miles M-F. What regular walking does for you is build up your strength in your muscles; when you start really becoming aware of how strong and fit you are becoming, it's great motivation to keep going! I'm 3 years out and mobility is still my greatest joy and wonder of this journey. Best of luck! Maureen

Maureen...what do you mean you cross-train for 2 miles?? What do you do?? Of course, I can only begin with walking right now.....and if I could get my sorry but to the pool...that would be great.....(well, I may surpise myself)...I DO have Suzanne Somers thighmaster hanging from my headboard.....for those days when I am stuck with my old friend the heating pad....you should have seen the look on my poor hubby's face the first day he came home and saw THAT hanging on the headboard!!!

Just saw your question, Laura, sorry for the delay in responding. I do a combination very fast walk and fast paced run on the treadmill, going back and forth between the two modes. That's why I call it crosstraining. Really gets the heart rate up and I gotta say, my legs have never been so strong in my entire life. I still can't believe this is my life when a little over 3 years ago, I literally could not walk 10 steps without having to dump my sorry butt into a chair. Life is good! Movement is my elixor. M.

Hi Faye . My only suggestion at the start is for you to take your time! Start walking, be it around the block or on a treadmill. The important thing is to be patient and take it slow. As your body gets used to moving more it will get easier for you the more you can add on to keep progressing! Best of Luck and enjoy!

Definitly will take the advice... I just wish I didn't have to go to a formal setting, that i could just walk and start off that way (which I do plan to do either way) but my insurance requires I join a gym, work out program, or some other way of tracking that I am doing some type of excercise. The doctor's office said at times the insurance will accept a letter from my doctor saying i am working with him and walking, etc... but sometimes they will not and rather be safe than sorry I joined the Y for their fitness facility, the price is right and they said they can provide in writing the dates and times I was there and that's what insurance needs..... Definitly will do walking for a starter and work my way up slowly... Thanks for all the great advice!