Well, even if you're out of shape, you're in good shape 9if you know what i mean!). i'm 5' 2.5" and i'm 135 9on a normal day!). i want to be 125 (lucky). Well, i say you get another friend (or a group) together and make it a challenge. or, get in to a class that keeps you going 2 to 3 times a week. i hope that helps...good luck!

i guess it depends on the reason you want to work out. you say it's not about the weight, so what is it? to get more muscle? to lose some body fat? to get better endurance? the answer to those questions will depend on what kind of goal to set yourself.

I pick a small goal--first I wanted to look good in my halloween costume so I went to the gym a few times a week and ran/walked on the treadmill for a half hour and played around with the machines for another half hour, tanned a bit and by halloween I looked great as Wonderwoman Ha!
Now I want to look great in my dress for my company's Christmas party. Small, realistic goals like that may be just what you need to get motivated. Hope this helps a bit :-)

Ah the numbers don't tell the real story though. So the first thing I will say is to pay less attention to "the number".

I think you already have a goal but just don't realize it.

You want to get into better shape.

That's it. that's your goal!

Now, muscle weighs more than fat, so when you start exercising more, hopefully a fair amount of cardio in there somewhere, you will notice a few things.
That fat and flabby areas will start to firm up and you will notice that your clothes are fitting you differently - they should be getting looser in places.
That number 125 may not decrease - it may stay the same or it may even go up! Why? Well, you have successfully replaced your flab with wonderful muscle.

Also, you know your motivation - that's to continue feeling great!
You said it yourself that you feel great when you exercise.
More motivation is to make exercise and fitness a life long habit because earlier than you think, you and all females, begin to lose bone density and you really want to pay attention to that fact.

Cardio is great for fat burning.
Do at least 35-40 at a time and work up a good sweat - give that heart of yours a good kick.

Weights/resistance training is needed to maintain your strength and health.

I work twice a week with a trainer and once on my own with weights.
For my cardio, I go to spinning classes twice a week - boy, that is one great method for cardio if you want that fat to melt off you.

Cardio can get pretty boring, so find a type that you like most or maybe switch up the types. You can always listen to music as a motivator on you cardio machines. Whatever music you love will be perfect to keep you going.

If possible, see if you can get a couple sessions with a trainer, just to get you started. A trainer can give you some great tips on what is best for you to do to meet your own personal goals.

I think that simple goals are the best! Something like:
"I will exercise for 30 min on Mon, Wed, and Fri for one month."
It's simple and can be easy to accomplish. You'll feel better and then can make slightly biggers goals. Eventually you will get there.
Hope this helps! Have a safe and healthy holiday!

Hi Marie,
I found training for a race helps. I just finished a 5k and now working on doing a sprint triathlon. I'm doing the tri with two friends from high school, so that helps. Also, once you pay the money for the race you have to train if you don't want it to go to waste.

More importantly, what kind of workouts have you tried? You have to do something you enjoy.

Take care,
Chili

hello marie24....i am new here, but have a few pointers for you...
if you have a friend that wants to get in shape, use the buddy system....find something that both of you like...for example doing an aerobics class, or maybe even getting together with some exercise videos (start with cardio stuff) and do them as a team....that's great fun too..many calories are burned by laughing...lol....also, do focus on cardio stuff first....work the heart and then add weights or other machines.....hope this is useful info for ya.....Merry Christmas