Where to start - help?

Hi, I'm new here, so please go easy on me. :)

I am 5'6", small frame, 140 lbs. My goal is to be 120 eventually, but I think I need some help at this point. I was about 100 lbs. (way too thin, don't want to be that way again) before I started college, but a year after I graduated I had reached 180 due to eating out ALL the time and sitting at a desk all day. I've changed my diet and eat very healthy now, and have lost 40 pounds since 1 year ago, but I have been stuck at 140 for almost 3 months. I think it's time to add in exercise, but I have no idea how/how often, etc.

My biggest exercise problem since trying to lose weight (never exercised before) has been that I start out with way too big goals, and then I burn myself out. So for instance, I will work out for 90 minutes every single day for 3 weeks, and then quit because I am exhausted and will have gained zero results.

Has anyone here been where I am now, and how did you break out of it? I really want to be active and healthy, but I don't really know where to start.

P.S., I love running, but I don't because my husband always wants to work out with me when I go out, and he has damaged knees and can't run. I feel like walking isn't enough, either.

I totally appreciate any hints and advice, thanks!

Original Post by bethany_ann:

Hi, I'm new here, so please go easy on me. :)

I am 5'6", small frame, 140 lbs. My goal is to be 120 eventually, but I think I need some help at this point. I was about 100 lbs. (way too thin, don't want to be that way again) before I started college, but a year after I graduated I had reached 180 due to eating out ALL the time and sitting at a desk all day. I've changed my diet and eat very healthy now, and have lost 40 pounds since 1 year ago, but I have been stuck at 140 for almost 3 months. I think it's time to add in exercise, but I have no idea how/how often, etc.

My biggest exercise problem since trying to lose weight (never exercised before) has been that I start out with way too big goals, and then I burn myself out. So for instance, I will work out for 90 minutes every single day for 3 weeks, and then quit because I am exhausted and will have gained zero results.

Has anyone here been where I am now, and how did you break out of it? I really want to be active and healthy, but I don't really know where to start.

P.S., I love running, but I don't because my husband always wants to work out with me when I go out, and he has damaged knees and can't run. I feel like walking isn't enough, either.

 

I totally appreciate any hints and advice, thanks!

Quick question...are you/will you be working out at home or a gym?

I think a great start to working out is doing bodyweight exercises such as squats, lunges pushups, planks, dips, pull ups - or chair assisted pullups to start with. There is a link, I believe, in the FAQ section of this forum that will take you to ''My Body is a Barbell''. You will definitely burn up calories and fat while maintaining muscle. [Albeit, you must keep your nutrition in check!]

You can circuit the bodyweight exercises with jumping jacks in between sets. 

Hi, thanks so much! I have access to a great gym for free actually through my HOA, so I really should use it, it's just that it's very crowded, and I'll admit, I get extremely bored with lots of cardio. I like the idea of bodyweight exercises - thank you so much! Will have to try that.