HELP! How to get started??

I know this is bad....I am now 2 years post op and I have yet to really start exercising!  At first it was because I felt terrible, then the weight was coming off so easily that I was actually afraid that if I started exercising I would gain weight (you know because muscle weighs more than fat) - I know, how sad is that? 

So I went from 225 to 135 for about a second and now I've stayed around 145 (size 8/6 depending on brand), but I am truly afraid of gaining anymore and I would really like to get back to the 135.  AND I know that I need to exercise for general health (and to help my wiggly upper arms!)

But now I'm to the point, where I'm overwhelmed and don't really know where to start.....I'm afraid of trying to do too much that I end up stopping again.  I've started so many different "exercise regimes" before and they never last more than a week or two. 

Any suggestions?   Thanks!!     

It's never too late to start. The couch to 5k program is good to start running. I would also suggest joining a gym and learning how to use the strength training equipment. In my very humble opinion most regain is due to the huge amount of muscle loss that comes with the total weightloss we have gone through. Adding some lean muscle will spike metabolism and make you look and feel 10 times better. ***PUT YOUR SCALE AWAY*** when you start this. You more than likely will loose some inches but gain some pounds which is a good thing , not a bad thing. Good luck and we are all here to help anytime!

Walk.  it's free. it's easy.  walk to the store, or to your friend's house. walk with your spouse, your kids, your dog. 

It's a good way to start, I think. 

i agree with nate, one of the most under-rated and avoided type of exercise is strength training, which is extremely important for metabolism.  i would definitely add some form of strength training to your regimin along with some cardio that you find interesting or at least tolerable :)

best of luck and post in the daily workout threads, we'd love to hear about your progress!

What causes your exercise programs to only last 1-2 weeks.

That seems like the first problem to get over.  Try and find something you like to do that doesn't seem like exercise.  Many people don't like the feeling or routine of high school gym class or the likes.  Those all bring back bad memories for many people and they don't tend to be fun.

Do you like to dance, go do it, take a Zumba class or something like that.
Start with something to get your body moving, maybe a Yoga class.  Increased flexibility and strength are a great place to start.
Have a dog?  Make it a habbit to take them for a walk daily.  Every couple days make an effort to walk a little further or a little faster, or both.
Baseball, softball, volleyball, golf, tennis anything that you might see as fun.  Just get used to moving.

Make a goal, let everyone know, post on it daily here.  We have  a daily workout thread that gets going.  Don't worry about comparing yourself to others, there are some real animals here when it comes to working out.  But the key is everyone started somewhere.

Make yourself a bet or give yourself a challenge.  3 weeks of walking every day = a trip to the spa, or some piece of clothes, or a new album to listen to while working out.  Something like that.  Every 3 weeks after that and you earn a new prize.

The couch to 5k program is an awesome program and it progresses so slowly.  In fact you aren't required to complete it at any pace.  They say if you can't complete the week do it again, until you can complete it.  Only advance when you feel like you can.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Good luck,

Scott