Hello, I will start with saying you look absolutely gorgeous! I think you should not be too concerned with the amount of weight but rather how you feel and getting into a routine and a healthy eating habit. There are many websites that will give you a basic outline for getting started. I think if you google exercise routines for beginners looking for weight loss. One thing I hear though is at the beginning you may actually gain weight as muscle weighs more than fat, that is why I say concentrate on how you feel. I think changing your diet is extremely important and you can start by eliminating many unhealthy things and replacing them with more healthy ones. Also, smaller portions and/or healthier snacks if that is an issue. I believe mixing it up is very beneficial in regards to exercise and finding things you really enjoy. I am a big fan of yoga as it is gentle on the body and connects your mind and body together, trail running and mountainbiking are great at the gym they often have spin clasees, yoga and many strength building. I wish you best and great smile!

I've found this site to be the best resource on the 'net:

http://www.exrx.net/index.html

Sounds like you probably want to start with the beginner's page:

http://www.exrx.net/Beginning.html

And the weight management page:

http://www.exrx.net/FatLoss.html

The best approach is the one you're most comfortable with and also the one that you'll stick with. Keep it simple, keep it interesting and fun, start with manageable and attainable goals.

I find it's also helpful to view it as long-term and a lifestyle change. Aim for the long-haul and small, incremental gains. Don't push too hard too early. That'll just set you up for getting discouraged and putting it on a shelf.

Thank you so much cab720!! That was really nice for you to say, and made me smile!! I really appreciate it!! I will try to focus on feeling healthy rather than watching the scale! I am actually taking my first yoga class tomorrow, so wish me luck!! I unfortunately have bad eating habits, so hopefully overtime I can eliminate a lot of the bad foods! And JustASimpleGuy, those site's really helped me a lot!! Thank you both so much!! I feel more confident about going to the gym!

I saw you might start running again. What do you like to do? I am an avid trail runner and get out as often as possible.

I really liked long distance when I was in track..I would love to do a 1/2 marathon and eventually I would like to do a full marathon. I would also like to do things like mountain climbing. One of my dreams is to base jump off a mountain..I'm very much a thrill seeker. I already skydive, but would like to be more fit so that I can get my skydiving license. I've actually never done trail running. Can you give me more advise on that?

The main thing is take it easy. Start where your at and build on it. The things I like most about it is getting outside and the beauty of nature, also the trails are much easier on your joints and muscles than the road. You look young so may not be as big an issue for you. Let me know if you decide to give it a try.

I'll second the gorgeous comment (!).

I've found bicycling works great, for developing both strength and long-distance endurance. It's easier on the knees and joints than running, and there's something exhilarating about seeing the sidewalk race by, knowing that our own legs and core are creating that speed!

When I bicycle, the first mile or so is torture, a living hell, as my body purges calories and toxins through sweat. Then, the inner strength emerges, and I get stronger and stronger and STRONGER...it's addictive!

Another good thing about bicycling, or whatever healthy regimen you find suits you, is you'll start noticing what foods you need to eat...as fuel for your exercise...rather than eating for entertainment. Lean meats (I try to avoid beef; it makes me feel lethargic--chicken makes me feel really good, as does fish), fruits, whole grain breads and veggies, cutting out processed sugar, including sodas and artificially sweetened fruit drinks, sticking to juice like orange, grapefruit and grape, seems to be the way.

I would love to get a bicycle, where I live there are a ton of riding trails that I would love to go to. Right now I am trying to focus on little steps like cutting out pop and sugary drinks first. That I think will be the hardest for me, because I love pop! So right now I am trying to do drink pop only a couple times a week and then keep lowering my pop intake. Just baby steps at first. And for the gym I have been doing the elliptical, the treadmill, and the track. I'm still trying to figure out what type of exercises to do with the free weights. With the free weights I feel a little self conscious on what I'm doing.

WannaB, there's a lot of good information on the web for free weight workouts for women. Google is your friend. :)

Remember always start light to prevent injuries, free weights can be unforgiving if get carried away with too much weight without building up to it.

WB,

Concerning free weights, it might be a good idea to work with someone who's lifted before in developing an exercise routine and also to guide you through proper form.

You just want to make sure you exercise whole antagonistic muscle groups otherwise you open yourself up to injury. For instance, working the quads and not the hamstrings can result in eventual hamstring injury because the quads become so much stronger and they are muscles that work in concert.

I'd recommend keeping it simple and like BB said starting light and easy. Using an empty barbell (standard, not Olympic) for the first week or so to get the feel of the exercises and get the form down.

I'd suggest basic, compound barbell exercises with 1 set of 8 reps to start. The general rule of thumb for a beginning program is either 1 or 2 sets of 8 to 12 reps depending on your starting condition.

Basic, compound barbell exercises will get you the most bang for your buck as they engage multiple muscle groups and joints.

You don't need a lot of different exercises either. I use 5 for strength and endurance routines Mon, Wed & Fri and I only do 3 on any given day.

You might also consider strengthening your core first. That will give you a stronger and more stable base for handling free weights.

Here's a comprehensive set of core exercises. Don't need to do them all, but it's something to look at to get the idea.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/abdominalcorestrength1/ss/Quick-Core-Workout.htm

Hope this helps.

"Right now I am trying to focus on little steps like cutting out pop and sugary drinks first. That I think will be the hardest for me, because I love pop!"

Cutting out pop would be huge!!! Sugary drinks make us fat quicker than anything! Water or fruit juice only!

"And for the gym I have been doing the elliptical, the treadmill, and the track. I'm still trying to figure out what type of exercises to do with the free weights. With the free weights I feel a little self conscious on what I'm doing."

Yeah, ya kinda have to try things to figure out what works for your body and what doesn't. Don't overdo it; don't strain yourself. Keep it light-weight, light-impact the first couple of workouts. I found out the hard way that PULLING weight TOWARD my body causes my back to seize up, not good, whereas.PUSHING weight AWAY from my body (with the exception of arm curls) is good for my back, so I concentrate on PUSHING weight.

I like to lay down on my back on an elevated platform and do bench-presses, 3 sets of 10-15 reps, with 40 lb. free-weights. It really strengthens my arms and gets them looking ripped.

Koolman,

Regarding pull exercises and your back seizing up, is that your lower back? If so, here are two really good mobility exercises for the spine and lower back.

http://www.ronjones.org/Coach&Train/BodyXerciseLibrary/Mobility/CatCamel.html

http://www.ronjones.org/Coach&Train/BodyXerciseLibrary/Mobility/PressUp.html

Thank you for all the tips! I have been keeping it simple and light so that I can focus on doing the movements correctly. I feel a lot more confident in what I am doing with all your guys's help!! Thank you all for the support! It really means the world to me!!

Hi, I have to say that I am also having the same problem. I have started, but I find that I fizzle out after a while. I am following a food program right now that is helping me so much. I cheat on some days, but I just dust off the next day and keep working at it.
I feel that keeping things in my day that remind me to be healthy, like scheduling my meals ahead of time is really helping. I am part of the beyonddiet program. I bought the book and started the 14 day kick start.
Now I need to get going on exercise. I need motivation and some milestone rewards. I don't know how to achieve this. Last year I did the Jillian Michaels Program. I am just not motivated enough yet. I need to exercise in the am. this will be good but my schedule is complicated. Working out after work I find that I let things interupt my schedule too much. It's just not working.

Good luck. and it's nice to know others going through this also.