Steppers in general are hard on the knees. Be careful!!! I really wrecked my knees on them by overdoing it and had to get cortizone shots that made me hypomanic, (no one knew at the time why). A treadmill or something that is more low impact like an ellipse might be easier for you. My knees hurt because the muscle that holds the kneecap in place was too weak and was being overworked on the stepper. Use some light weights to build up that muscle area first before attempting the stair stepper. Good luck and good for you at working out! I need to get on my ellipse!!!

Just go slowly don't expect much of yourself. If you haven't exercised in a while it will be tough. Maybe do something lighter like walking on a treadmill or just walking outside. Don't be hard on yourself as that will lead you to quit exercising

Well i'm trying not to do anything but the stepper but I was thinking today that maybe I should do it about 3 times a week plus walk my dog around the neighborhood. And I know what you mena about over doing it. I did one time and I lost 45 pounds in 3 months because thats all that I thought about. I was compulsive about it. But now that I have my boyfriend around he wont let me wear myself out to the extent. He watches me very closely when it comes to things like that. I wish I could get a treadmill but I just bought the stepper with my income tax money. Sucks :(

My pdoc taught me a trick. Maybe this will help you, but you have to be patient. Since you are having trouble with energy this could build it up slowly in one month. The first day do one minute. The second day do two. The third day do three etc until you hit 30 mins. at the end of the month. It seems like a long time but if you are as exhausted as you say you are it could work. He did this for me because I was depressed and it got me on my machine and helped get me over the hump of not being able to exercise. It worked. Just a thought.

omg, I have never thought about it that way before. See I think the thing is that I am so out of shape and my bodys not used to working out and all of a sudden I just throw into it ya know. Thanks for the advice. I think it will help alot better then just pushing myself and then getting bored with it later

i am out of shape, no doubt. i don't have and can't afford a treadmill or stepper. also, another excuse is that its so icy out i will fall. (i just fell on ice on feb.1). but i feel exercise is so important, not only for physical health but mental health as well. so i want spring to come quickly to melt the snow and ice so i can start a walking regime. i got two dogs too that can motivate me as well. when i do go for walks, i often just sort of meditate along the way. instead of overdoing it, i use the time to think positively and grateful about my day, or someone in my life, or the beauty surrounding me. i don't know. just thought i would babble my own thoughts. lol

Yeah. It's so true. When you're out of shape and/or depressed the idea of doing 30 mins like they say your supposed to do feels really impossible. So really small increments, when you know you are working your way up to that, has a big impact psychologically and physically as well. And you're right. It's more motivating because your reaching a personal goal with yourself. And once you're at 30 then maintaining that level is so much easier because you're already feeling better.

Yes I agree with the others, you need to start slowly. Pilates is a great excersise and walking is great too. I started doing Pilates a couple of years ago and I can out hike either of my grown daughters.

Stretching your muscles also helps condition them for other exercises. A journey of then thousand miles started with one step forward...remember that when you get frustrated!

start with walking and you just may stay there. i walk 3 miles per day every day outside. you get fresh air and i do it in a park so it's peaceful and your legs get stronger slowly. start by walking one mile and keep increasing.

I was like that last summer. Turned out I was hypo-thyroid, anemic and my meds were making my potassium and sodium too low. I would go to your primary care doc and get some blood work done, especially if this is something new.