ideas for a new comer?

 I am 466 at the moment and would like some ideas on a good work out. I had open rny  on oct 14, and i am looking to get some help on where to start. how do i know i am doing enough. any ideas?!

My best advice to you is to start slow, and have realistic goals. Try to add steps whenever you can. Park a little further away from the door of the mall. Get off the elevator one floor from your destination and take the stairs. When you go to get the mail, walk to the mailbox and back twice before you actually empty the box. Walk around the block during your lunch hour, or after dinner.

You can even wear a pedometer to evaluate how many steps you are taking, and aim to add a little every day. The idea is to get moving and be active in as many small ways as you can think of.

When you start to lose and start to feel a bit stronger, you can start building up the amount of time and distance you spend walking. When your body feels like it moves more easily, you can do more strenuous activity.

Be kind to yourself and be careful. You can take great pride in the huge decision you've made. You have taken control of your body, your health, and your life! You cannot imagine the exciting moments that are in store for you. Enjoy the ride!

I started a walking program when I was at 405.  Just take it easy at first.  You don't have to be a sprinter or an olympic athelete to have an exercise routine.  I know when I first started I felt discouraged because I wasn't able to run, or keep up with lightweights.  :)  But I started with walks of 15 minutes, then works up to 20 minutes, then worked to 30 minutes, then to 45 minutes, then to 1 hour.  Once you can walk for awhile, I would start turning up the pace little by little, you'll notice because you'll be walking farther and farther.  You'll know your doing enough when you start sweating.  If you ever feel like your doing too much, just back it down to a pace your comfortable with, but yet challenging yourself. 

Best thing is just to do a little of something, then keep doing a little more.  You'll get there!

I agree with the walking. I think it is the best thing you care do even if you are "Normal".  Have fun and enjoy your new life.

 Thank you for the help. 

Walking is good because you control the pace.  Try the Leslie Sansome Walk at Home DVD's.  They start at on mile and I have seen it go to five miles. She has workouts with weights too that you can add later. I really like her, she is a certified fitness trainer and one of the best things she says is "walk, you can't do it wrong."  If you have free on demand on your cable or satellite system you can look under health, fitness and/or exercise to see what is available.  There are many varieties of work outs there that you can watch first then try.  Take your time and be realistic about what you feel you can accomplish as you start out.  When you start to have some sweating you will know if you are doing enough and watch your breathing.  If you get tired rest but don't let that stop you from getting started and completing an exercise program.  Good luck and JUST KEEP MOVING!    

I started out at about 420lbs, and I started exercising by swimming and walking. I'm down about 30+ lbs, and I can comfortably walk about 2 miles (about a 3.0mph pace) - just since I started in July.

Take it slow, start small. Mistakes I made in the past was to push myself too hard at first, and get discouraged b/c I would be in pain.

Dear ACB:

Even though I was 'only' 275 when I started walking, my knees were so damaged that I had trouble walking more than five to 10 minutes. Sooo, I would go to Targets or Walmart (any department store will do) latch on to a shopping cart and walk all over the store for at least 1 hour. The shopping cart gave me just the support I needed to walk a good distance.
I have since lost 115 lbs., and have not needed the shopping carts for over a year, but they sure came in handy at the beginning.
Here is the WLS fairy sprinkling some good luck sparkles your way.