Need a little motivation...

Hello everyone, I am brand spanking new here. I need some help. I am eating better than I used to (used to have McDonalds every day, now I am getting better at knocking it down). I just quit smoking about a week ago. But one thing I cannot do is the exercise, reason being is I watch these videos that are supposedly for beginners, and I feel like a goof trying to do what they are doing.

I dont really know what to do in that regard. Am I fated for being overweight because I just cant do what they are doing in the videos?

No, you aren't. Just stick to it. It should get better after about a week of doing the same workout/exercise. I feel like an idiot when starting a new workout too but if you stick with it, it gets better.

No, they will get easier the more you do them. And just remember to keep moving even if you aren't doing the right steps. I find actually going to an aerobics/workout class in person is easier than trying to follow a tape because generally the instructor calls out moves more frequently and seeing people around you gives you multiple points of reference for doing a move.

I'd also suggest trying to get 30 minutes of walking in every day at this point in the game. Walking is easy, doesn't require any special equipment or clothes and can be done anywhere at anytime really. Try to walk at a pace that gets you breathing a little hard. Once that becomes easy, try to add in jogging. I started off "wogging", where I would jog for a couple of minutes and then walk a couple of minutes. Eventually as your fitness level increases, you will be able to increase your jogging time/distance. I like to workout at the high school track so I would jog a lap, then walk a lap, etc. Now I'm up to 2 miles.

Staying away from McDonalds sounds like a very good idea. If you need more reasons read Fast Food Nation. I didn't eat a burger for 3 years after that.

Walking is great. I especially like walks where I'm kind of committed to a distance once I set out. Like walking to do an errand, or walking around a lake or reservoir where you might as well finish rather than double back because it's the same distance. I have a 4 mile route from my house to a reservoir, around it and back. If I jog half of the way, great. If I end up just walking the whole way, it takes longer, but either way, I'm committed to 4 miles and 60-80 minutes of exercise.

I also schedule after dinner walks with friends in my neighborhood (or we drive to a fancier neighborhood and ogle the landscaping as we walk). Just remember to not bring cash on the walk itself, so you can't buy a snack, which is a danger for me since I can pass bakeries depending on which direction I go.

For videos (when I'm stuck in the house alone with sleeping kids), I found a biggest loser video that has very uncomplicated moves, but gets my heart rate up pretty well.

And if even that seems like too much, my husband's (90-something) grandmother even does an in place walking video in her living room when it's hot outside in Florida.

Good luck!

Exercise videos are not a requirement for losing weight. As mmpearce said, go for a walk. If you're stuck at home, just put on some upbeat music and walk in place or walk around the house.

Where I live it rains MOST of the time so I use in home walking video's. They are more challenging than just a walk, but the steps are easy to follow and anyone can do them and you will work up a sweat.

Here is the video I use sometimes. I found it pretty straight forward and available used.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQ7J70/

There are many different types of videos available and one might fir your fancy more than what you're attempting to do now. While exercise is not a requirement for losing weight like Hoser said, it certainly helps tip the scales in your favor. Exercising also produces many other positive beneficial effects in your body once you can get yourself into something that you enjoy doing and is also effective.

I'm a bit biased, but I have used and love many of the programs that Beachbody produces and as I mentioned, there are many different types and styles that you can try out.

Congratulations on quitting smoking! AND on dropping down the McDonalds! Those are big big victories for you and you are absolutely NOT fated to be overweight, even if you never got to doing exercise. Good clean nutrition is by far the more important component of good health so if you can win that war, and you're heading in the right direction, you will sieze control of your life and health

I have been on the site for about 10 days. I quit smoking too and had my last one Feb 2. It was grueling and now I have about 27 pounds to lose. I have trouble with exercise too. I tried walking. I am a klutz. I will never Zumba without looking like Elaine dancing on Seinfeld. That being said, I do have the Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred DVD and the easy routine is only 20 minutes and it isn't too complicated. I haven't done it enough to get all the way through but it is getting familiar. That is the key. Get familiar even if you only do part of a DVD routine.

Welcome and congratulations on quitting smoking and cutting back on the McDonalds, just to re-cap what everyone is saying you don't have to do exercise video's but I would strongly urge you to do something, anything, be it walking, cycling or dancing to your favourite tunes! Not only is exercise in some form beneficial to your health but it will also help you stay on track as a non-smoker.

I quit smoking 9 weeks ago today and being able to get out on my bike to try and ride as fast as I could (just like I used to when I was a kid lol) really helped to overcome the cravings, when I first started I couldn't go too fast for long and it felt like my lungs were burning but now I've noticed I can go a little faster (probably still not as fast as when I was a kid but I'm at an age where I remember how much it hurts to fall off a bike lol), and am able to go over 3 x's the original distance and my lungs still feel intact, I can't wait to reach the stage where my lungs should be nearly the same as someone who never smoked!

When you first start any kind of activity it will feel strange but persevere trough this and you will start to notice a difference in how you feel/look/stamina, the most important thing is to have fun with whatever your chosen form of activity is.

Great story kg80 and congratulations on your success too! Looking forward to reading a post from you when you're flying on that bike of yours!

Thanks Chris, yesterday the hubby brought me a thingy (yes I do believe that is the technical term for it lol) for my bike that will monitor my speed, distance, average calorie burn etc.....we all went out last night and managed a top speed of 13.8mph, unfortunately I didn't take note of the distance we travelled but I can say it wasn't that far as my 7yr old's legs couldn't cope lol, I can't wait to try it on my own

I know how you feel...stay the course and relish on the successes no matter how small!!

Promise Yourself -
- To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind
- To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
- To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future
- To remember to give yourself enough credit

By the way, awesome name jjdynomite!!
Cheers

I've lost 20lbs and have not kicked the junk/fastfood habit. Probably never will. As long as you are eating smaller amounts, sticking to your calories, you will be fine. Walking is great and all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other. No fancy routines there. If your going to try fitness vids/games just start with moving your arms then add your legs in later. I know with some dance games i will just follow along with arm movements sometimes. I don't know if this helps but for what it's worth...

Everyone's clumsy in the beginning. I have absolutely no balance (complete clutz) and I go to Zumba every now and then to make a fool of myself and have fun. Just remember that as long as you're moving you're losing. Whenever the video is showing you something that you can't do make some other body movement that you've already mastered.

Good luck.

Maybe they are not for you?? Start with something simple like walking a mile a day and work your way up to something different in time. There is no hurry as long as you are working on a better life. Congrats by the way on cutting out the McDonalds and smoking!

I love reading everyone's supportive advice on how to get plenty of exercise into your daily life! One thing that gets me out the door to hike, jog, walk, or bike, is to have podcasts, music, or books to listen to on my smartphone or my iPod. I can stay out much longer when listening to something interesting, and not feel so much like I'm "doing my duty." It's more like just having fun, and doing something good for myself in two ways at once.

The best motivation you could ever get is a dog! Adopt a dog from your local rescue center and you will being to notice amazing changes in your attitude and health. From not being to run/walk over 1/2 at the beginning I am now able to run/walk 4 miles with my trusted canine companion! I started going on walks to get him exercise but I am the one getting all the benefits!

If nothing else get a Bike! I used to ride my bicycle all over the place when I was a kid and loved it. So I bought a used mountain bike off Craig's list a few accessories and have not looked back! Have put nearly 200 miles om it, started with about 3 miles a day now I'm up to almost 10 and have went from 303 to 260 you don't need vids just find some kind of exercise you like and DO IT!