Any former couch potatoes?

How did you start your transformation?  Any advice?

I like to do cardio once I am doing it.    And I love the way I feel afterward.  Wish my brain would not forget that between workouts! 

I am intimidated by strength training.  I know the best thing is to probably hire a personal trainer, but I don't want to do that before surgery.  I want to wait until Ive lost a little.

I dare say that most people are couch potatos before surgery. I still am even though I run once a day. The rest of the time is pretty inactive. If you can afford to hire a trainer, great! Give it 8 weeks before you start any kind of program and even then, let your trainer know that you have had surgery. After surgery, start by walking increasing the speed and duration in those first 8 weeks. Set yourself a goal that you will accomplish in the first 6 months - year - whatever. 50 push-ups, 5 pull ups, complete a 5K, open water swim, run a mile. Whatever will drive you, set it as a goal and go for it. That will keep you motivated.

Thanks for the input.  I was scrolling thru and found a post witht the same title, not exactly the same question.

I started by going to the gym to ride the stationary bike. But then my surgeon wanted me to do it 4-5x a week, not 1-2x and I didn't want to do the same thing two days in a row.

So I started the Couch-to-5K program on the treadmill every other day and biking the other days.

Then I built up from there.

Started with tiny bit of walking two days after surgery.  Made it up to 5 miles 3 - 4 times a week by  end of November.  Weather forced me inside to treadmill and eliptical until March.  Moved it back outside, then took up couch to 5K. Hired a personal training and worked on strength while doing the C25k.  Now running my second 5K in the morning. Just started a women's running training program through local track club trying to increase pace.  Also took up an intro to yoga class.  Losing 100+ pounds along the way.  So the answer to your question is - slowly.  Started small, gradually increasing time and pace.  Today, I asked myself, who am I besides wife and mother.  One of the answers - athlete.

part of my start was to set a goal - and reward myself for completing it.  The first goal was to exercise 30 min three days/week for a month.  At the end of that, I got a popcorn maker that I wanted (this was pre-op). 

Then i found new ways to challenge and reward myself.

I keep setting new goals - once I got hooked on running, the rewards just foster more running!  For finishing my Half Marathon I got to buy some new running clothes and bought a new GPS device to wear when I run that tracks my route/pace/etc.

You've got to find what motivates you, and figure out how hard you are willing to work to get it.  My friend have herself $5 for every day she walked more than 10,000 steps or exercises for 30 minutes.  Her goal was to buy a coach purse with her exercise money!

Total couch potatoe. I really do want to change that, though, because I feel great when I'm active. This week I've been doing yoga and some weights for my arms. I enjoy it, but like you I seem to forget how much I like it until I'm in the middle of doing it! I am hoping that at some point, it will become as much of a habit as the couch can be...

I am wondering about other exercise besides walking.  I have a panic and anxiety problem with walking outside.  I feel if I get to far away I can not make it back.  I don't think I have the nerve to go to the gym..(anxiety)  I keep wondering what I can do at home.

Do you have the space to do a workout in your home? I sometimes use exercise DVDs... Billy Blanks Boot Camp is a good one... the whole series, actually.

I have a Hawaiian dance DVD that is harder than you'd think it would be! There are many to choose from and your library might even have a bunch you could choose from.

Get some ankle weights and put them on while cleaning the house. You'd be surprised at how much of a workout you can get just doing that.

Nicci