No upper body/core strength?

My legs are in great shape from walking, but the rest of me doesn't match them at all. I am very uncoordinated and I have no upper-body strength at all. I can't even get into a pushup position, let alone do one, and nor can I do chin lifts or even hang from my hands on a monkey bar (I know, I've tried and it's embarassing how weak I am!  Is there a really good EASY workout DVD that I could try at home without killing myself?  I tried the Biggest Loser cardio workout and I couldn't even begin to do any of the floorwork because it was just too hard (and I was so sore I could barely move for a week from doing the parts of it that I could manage!) The only equipment I have are 2 and 3 pound handweights and an exercise mat. How do I improve my strength when I can't go to a gym or lift weights, which is always the first suggestion but entirely outside our budget and just not going to happen?

I think there are some bodyweight exercises (maybe in the FAQs thread stickied at the top?) that will work for a while.  If it makes you feel better, I've gotten a lot stronger, and still can't do a pullup that isn't assisted.

Also, once you want more than the bodyweight exercises, you could get a set of adjustable dumbbells (Dicks has them for about $50 or 60, that go up to 35 or 40 lb per dumbbell, then you can buy more plates as you need to go higher). If you have a coffee table and a chair, you don't need a bench, and if you have an exercise ball, you can use that as an incline bench.

 Try this home workout or Total Body for Beginners - either one will do but I think the home workout one might be a bit easier to do with your current setup.

 You can also improvise a pretty nifty set of dumbbells out of a couple shopping bags and some soda bottles filled with water, which should last you for a while until they get too unwieldy. 2 and 3 pound weights aren't going to do a thing for you I'm afraid, but if you stick them in the bag alongside your soda bottles they'll help.

You can do quite a lot at home for not much money...

Start with pushups against a wall or sturdy railing.  When those get too easy, try from hands and knees.

Check the paper or a local "trader" type sale paper - you might be able to find some dumbbells.  Try for 5, 8 and 10 pounders to start.  You can walk with the 2 and 3 pounders if you aren't already - as in keep them in your hands and move your arms - under control!!! - don't just be throwing them around.

Another small investment is a book that shows exercises and the muscles that the exercises work.  You can probably find a lot of info for free online if you don't want to buy a book.  I really like Strength Training Anatomy by Frederic Delavier - not the Women's as it doesn't have all muscle groups.  If you have never lifted before, you do need someone to help you get the form - incorrect form and you can hurt yourself or spend a lot of effort getting nothing accomplished.

A fitness ball can be had for less than $20 (Amazon) as can fitness bands (kind of very large rubber bands - different resistance levels).  The ball can be used as a bench, for stretching and a whole range of exercises.  I originally bought the Gunnar Peterson pkg but it is now pretty pricey at $190!!

The beauty of working on the ball as it recruits the core muscles to keep your balance as you do the other exercises.  You can adapt dumbbell exercises with bands on the ball - again - there are DVD's or you might be able to find things online for free.   I like G.Peterson's DVD's and he starts slow, explains form and he has one person who does a modified version for beginners.

You have to do some sort of resistance work to tone and strengthen - it just doesn't have to be at the cost of a gym membership. 

Good luck!

Thanks for the link Melkor... I downloaded the file to look at. :)

Yoga may help you. I still feel my core is weak because I cannot get into plow position.