47 year old complete beginner!

[DeniseFI]

I am dismally out of shape. I am fatigued, stressed, and feeling pretty awful trying to keep up with work and family life (I know I am not alone there). So long story slightly less long, I have tried and failed to get in shape countless times, for decades. I have had a Fitbit for several years but never got past the beginner stage at anything I have tried. 

I have a couple of chronic health issues that make things hard for me (physically and mentally) but I am determined to get fit. I am no longer overweight (cannot take credit for the weight loss, my thyroid just decides what it wants to do) and am, for the moment anyway, strictly interested in improving my cardio health. It seems no matter what I have tried before, after a couple of months with feeling no progress, I either overtrained/got injured/felt my efforts weren't working/life got in the way and I failed, felt terrible, and gave up. I DO NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN THIS TIME.

As I said, I have had a Fitbit Charge 2 for years, a One before that. I just ordered a Versa 2. My cardio health score is supposedly 38-42, RHR 58-64, but my hypothyroid makes me prone to palpitations, skipping beats, and my HR usually is pretty high when I am awake (88 while I sit here typing, an easily get to 125 just doing laundry or something). Walking and any exertion at all sends it up into the 130-140 zone so I am desperate to fix this. 

Any tips for a really terribly unfit person starting out so I can hopefully avoid the failure/give up part that always seems to follow my "I am really going to do it this time!" determination? 

[SunsetRunner]

One day at a time. It's all any of us can do.

After a while, you'll find you've become addicted (in a good way) to being active and feeling well.

Just keep at it.

[Bagsy]

Hi,

I suggest you set your steps at a realistic target a day, say 6,000 to start with and try to stick to it.

Regard any extra steps a day as a bonus.

Add some friends (like me) and try and keep up with them on their weekly total steps 🙂.

I had a Total Hip Replacement 18 months ago and am now fully fit, but still fat so I'm desperately trying to lose weight over the next 3 months.

Good luck,

Bagsy

[hobbespca]

I hear you!  I'm 51 years old and want to start living a healthy life but it's difficult to know the best way to start. Like you, I have some heath and blood pressure issues that I want to correct before it's too late.  I find its hard to know where start and how to best stay on track.

For me, I have found on the past that some friendly competition has helped me stay the course.  Each year my company hosts a 2 month step challenge.  Employees create teams of 4 and points are awarded daily on the number of steps your team completes.  I find myself having a great time pushing myself to increase the number of steps I log so we can beat the other teams!

I just recently purchased the Premium fitbit package and I'm hoping to find similar challenges to help motivate me all year long.

Anyhow, not sure if that help but just know you are not alone.  I think knowing where to start and how to stay on track is the toughest part of developing a healthy lifestyle.

Good Luck!  I wish you all the best.

[Karess72]

I'm also 47 and starting over AGAIN. 

I've had sucess in the past at loosing and maintaining. This past November i had surgery and my weight shot way up! Recovery was harder than any other surgery I've ever had and now I'm sick for the first time in about four years.

I like feeling healthy and fit as I struggle with depression and migraines which as a business owner can make my life very difficult. If i don't  show up to work... no one gets paid.  Which adds a little pressure on top of my desire to be healthy. 

I have been able to successfully get back in the habit of doing yoga at least 5 days per week but without walking or other daily physical activity I'm not seeing the same results. 

I'd love to support eachother and motivate eachother to get back at it and succeed!

One day at a time!

Add me if you'd like and we can hold eachother accountable.

[Idlewylde]

I'm looking for a virtual fitness buddy to help me stay on track. Check out my post if you are interested in helping keep each other accountable. 

[KarminArmin]

I sent you a friend request, I am also looking for motivational buddies.

As for me, finding forms of exercising that I enjoy has been the key. I recently bought my first activity tracker and at least now it''s motivating too.

I am 43 years and also have some chronic health issues. I hope to see you around here!

[cathm]

Hi @DeniseFI 

I love the Versa 2.  It is my favorite Fitbit device so far 😊

I think walking is always a good place to start.  However, have you consulted with your doctor to see what he/she recommends with your health issues?

If you would like an accountability partner, please feel free to add me as a friend 😊

[emili]

@DeniseFI hey there. Why just cardio? I am not trying to talk you out of it, I just think people choose it because they believe it to be the best or only way to improve overall health and it isn't true.. and you are hearing this from a cardio queen. I am walking or running everyday of my life. You may not be sticking with it because you don't actually like to do it and if you found something more fun for you there wouldn't be reasons of why you should do it, there would be mountains moved to ensure that your could do it. I truly enjoy cardio, so unless it is a rest day or I am physically unable to do it, I get up and do it. Even when sometimes it is best not to do it. But I also like weight training and I loved boxing when my gym offered it. My daughter rather zumba her cardio than anything else and my son only runs when his coach makes him or it is literally the only alternative he has. You can elect swimming or a row machine or jumping rope.. so many options. Try a few and see what you like most... that is my suggestion

[DeniseFI]

Many apologies for the late response. Work and family, and now trying to squeeze in exercise time! - have taken all my spare moments.. Thank you for all your replies! It was so great to read so many encouraging words, and also hear your stories and how you are all in similar situations! I have officially "started" my journey again and have been exercising the past two weeks. I can't say I feel any difference yet but of course it is only two weeks. I have also added in a bit of meditation (mindfulness) because my stress levels are sort of sky high so its been nice to both exercise and wind down on a daily basis. 

I am really so thankful for all of your advice and shared stories. I would love to be able to run, the idea of running just really appeals to me, but unfortunately my knees say differently. I am using the elliptical and so far, so good. No major soreness and no inflammation in my knees, so that is very positive. Emili I think you are totally right. I will keep my options open and see if I can find something (and find time for) that I really like, but since I have the elliptical at home, it is quite nice to be able to just hop on for a quick 30 minute exercise during naptime or between cleaning and cooking dinner or something. It just is the easiest thing I could think of throwing in right now. When I feel up to it, I would like to start walking with my daughter in the evenings!

I wish you all the best of luck in your endeavors and am glad to add you as friends on fitbit! Thank you again!

[wrinklyone]

Hi,

I'm 72, just diagnosed with diabetes type 2, overweight (15 stone 7lbs), 6 foot one, devilishly handsome in an old fart kind of way. I play golf regularly but haven't done any other exercise for years.  So, I've bought a Versa 2, an exercise bike, a set of kettle bells, and converted a bedroom into a 'sort of' gym.  I'm starting off by walking around 7,000 steps a day, 2 sets of kettle bell, and about half an hour on the bike (bike in stages, as I'm finding it hard work).  I've not had a cake, biscuit, bread or chocolate bar for a week or so, take no sugar in tea or coffee, drink water (which I never did).  Any help or advice from anyone please?