Exercise... Where did you start??

Soo the first visit was on Friday and I did okay but only managed to get bout 30 minutes of cardio in and I used some weights to try and work on my upper arms to combat. I kept my heart rate between 160-180 during cardio when it got in the upper 170s and 180 I got lightheaded sooo I slowed down a little and kept it upper 160s and lower 170s. I wanted to do 45 minutes of cardio today but ended up with an asthma attack and I've not been feeling the greatest but I did manage to get 40 minutes of cardio (25 minutes on the treadmill with heart rate at 160-170 and 15 minutes on the bike I did 5.5 miles and kept my heart rate in the 160-170 range). I also did some weights again for my arms. Do these numbers sound okay for a beginner?? I really want to keep upping it til I am burning a whole lot more calories than I am but I just cannot last very long. Also I'm sure its completely normal but I've been dealing with some leg/feet cramps does anyone have any suggestions for me, is this something that a banana or some potassium would help or is it just my muscles trying to get used to the exercise.

You sound like you are off to a great start... Keep it up... And yes the bananas do usually help your leg problems.. I eat banans now pre-op and it helps a lot... Like I havent had one in a few days and I can tell it...

Heart rate depends on your age, resting heart rate etc.  Do a web search and you will find tons of info. Keep it simple and work as long as there is no pain.  This is not the biggest loser type of workout time.  Do cardio one day and strength the next.  Make sure you take a day of rest once a week and get your protein in so you don't lose muscle. My only long workouts is when I ride my bike 30+ miles it has been too cold or raining for that.  You are near Bloomington and they have a great bike club that you can connect with for spring and summer.Congrats and keep at it. E

The treadmill asked my age and weight and all that and the machine told me when I hit 155 I was at my target or something like that but I upped the incline and the speed some soo that I could raise it a little bit. Thanks soo much for the tips!