new to exercising any suggestions

I am 7 months out and started strong walking alot, but then I started working a different job and couldn't seem to schedule gym time.  Then I started going back to walking at gym, and had to have gallbladder removed and am 2 weeks out from that.  I've been given the ok to walk again, but can't do any lifting or anything until the 17th of this month.  So where do I start when I am allowed?  How much of what kinds of exercising should I be doing?  I go to Total Fitness.  I am trying to tone up loose skin (I have tons of excess) on my arms, inner and outer thighs, stomach and butt!  Any help is appreciated - thanks.

Find something you love. Personally, I find the treadmill and elliptical... at the gym to be boring, but have trouble fitting the classes into my day. I have an elliptical at home, and once a week I walk 4.5 miles up down steep hills with a friend. I also take tap dancing once a week with friends. I did a six week trial with a personal trainer and have weights at home to use for strength building. My DH goes to the gym twice a week for weights on the machines.

Best advice, find something(s) you love to do, perferably with a friend to keep you accountable.

Good luck.
Jan

The best workout combines cardio and strength training.  Since you want to tone you want to do low weigh and more reps and sets (I do 20 reps and 3 sets).  You want the weight heavy enough so that the last couple reps are a struggle (but don't strain yourself).  You can can increase cardio and strength as you go along.  For instance you may start off at 30 minutes on the treadmill but 6 weeks from now 30 minutes isn't enough....you can adjust.  To find whats right for you should find your target heart rate zone and exercise within the zone.  If you exercise below your zone, you are not exercising enough...if you are exercising above you aren't burning calories any longer and you could hurt your self.

As far as toning up excess skin...exercise won't really do that....it will tone up the muscles under your skin (which can help).  We were once obese and stretched out our skin.  A lot of times the skin is damaged and won't go back and will stay stretched.  Whether or not your skin will "pop" back into place will based more on things like- how long you were over weight, how old you are and heredity. 

Good luck