I'm 47, I have high blood pressure (I take a diuretic for this, however, I still seem to retain a lot of fluid regardless), I also have advanced degenerative disk disease, 2 herniated disks in the neck (C-5/C6 and C-6/C-7), and 2 herniated disks in my lower back (L3/L4 and L4/L5, I think it's these 2, the 2 lowest vertabrae in the lumbar region), foraminal stenosis, tears in the 2 hern. disks in the lower back, and arthritis in the spine. I also have a problem now with my left hip (due to the back problem) with pain going across my hip and down my leg (this is NOT my sciatic nerve...it's another nerve). I have been told already that in the upper right quadrant of my body, the rhomboids, deltoids, biceps and triceps have all basically just wasted away due to pinched nerves and i'm guessing no oxygen to these muscles??? Now here is my dilemma...I want to start doing some exercises that will help me to lose some weight, and to tone up my muscles before they all completely waste away on me. My doctor told me to walk every day. She suggested that I walk 5 to 10 minutes a day the first week, then add 5 minutes daily a week. This would be okay, but I live on a very busy highway (no shoulders, so no can walk here). I can't afford to drive to the park because my disability payments have not started yet and I can't afford gas in my mother's car!!! I have a large backyard where I could probably walk...it's not completely level, and there are snakes. Ewww! There are also holes in the yard in the most unlikely places that my mother swears are mole holes (where she got this I have no idea). I did walk the outside perimeter of the yard 1 day. I walked for 6 minutes. And I almost couldn't walk after that. I know that I have to build my body up from start, but should it hurt that bad?? I was also told NOT to use a treadmill, that it would only harm my back and not do it any good. SO! I do want to get into a good walking routine, but I also want to be able to do some other exercises as well...floor exercises, stretches, pilates, yoga, use weights or no? (I've been told that I can't lift anything heavier than a coffee cup. That pretty much rules any weights out). What am I supposed to do??? Most of my excess weight is above the waist (upper belly fat, large breasts), however I do have flab in my abdomen that I can't get to go away due to 2 C-sections. Can anyone help me or give me advice as to what kind of exercises I can do??? Please! I'm open to any and all suggestions that will help me lose the weight I need to (along with diet changes) and also to keep my body from just wasting completely away....looking forward to hearing from you!