Where do I start!!!

[daisyrose]

I am a 66 year old female. I am really inactive and have a few medical problems ie hypothyroidism, asthma and controlled hypertension.

I work full time as a nurse manager

I need to lose 4-5 stones in weight.

I have just bought the fitbit flex and today my treadmill will arrive.

I am on a weight watchers diet and have lost 6 lbs in 3 weeks.

Where do I start with the excersise????  Help!!!!

[Dominique]

I would say: start wearing your Fitbit for a couple of days being your regular inactive self. This will tell you how much of a couch potato you currently are. Then, set yourself a realistic step goal to begin with: if the Fitbit standard goal of 10,000 daily steps / 70,000 weekly steps is too high for you, lower it. You can always increase it after a couple of weeks. Better start slow and increase progressively than start too fast and injur yourself and/or lose motivation.

[gerrymcd]

I'm sure your doctor recommended incresed activity, but even so you should talk to him/her and let them know you are starting an exercise program (if you've not already done so).  There might be some precautions you need to take because of your conditions, or any medication you take.

Where to start?  The key word is slowly and gradually build.  That way you won't do too much and get discouraged, or worse cause yourself some injury.  At this stage you should end your day of activity feeling like you have 'more in the tank', rather than drained and exhausted.  Its also worth planning on scheduling frequent short blocks of activity, rather than planning to walk for 30 or more mins on the treadmill.  Split the time up.....10 mins before breakfast.....10 mins when you get home.....10 mins when you feel like eating cookies.... if you do it in short blocks you might endup doing 40 mins of walking and not feeling tired, or bored.  At least until you've built up your stamina and endurance. 

Perhaps your mantra should be small bites for both your meals and your exercise plan.

[cmatzes]

Start slow, slower than you can possible imagine. Consult with your doctor before begining any excercise program, but there are things you can do around the house. I would suggest wearing your fitbit for a few days to give yourself a baseline of step activity. Then add little things to your day such as putting your cup, you should be drinking plenty of water, in another room making you have to get up and go get it.

[Pril]

I Agree with the slow approach, Its the best to stick with it and it keeps your spirits up when you set yourself up to win. 

For me i'm very lazy, i get average 5-6,000 steps a day my goal is 6,000 that way if i don't get the goal and that would be rare i can normal mark it off as a bad day or something. 

I love the motoivation of getting those message Your an over acheiver when i over step my goal.  so setting your self up to win is the best way to go. 

Really don't want to shock your system with your health, I personaly feel no one should Shock their system.   so just start slow , talk the long way park further away from the door. Do little things that you can do with out over doing it. 

then consider taking a class or something even if it's a walking class. or hike with some friends. Not one in your area!! take the leader role and make one!