I have just walked 0.5 miles and I'm about to collapse

[LudoBear]

I weigh 16 stone. Do zero exercise. I am desperate to lose weight. I have just made myself go for a 10 minute walk. I walked 0.5 miles. I am breathing like an asthmatic heavy smoking whale, my back hips bum and feet are hurting and I'm sweating like a pig 🐖

Well done. It's further than I managed (about 100m) when starting after both my pregnancies. It didn't take long to break into a couple of miles when everything felt much easier. And about 5 months for regular intensity exercise/ C25k. That was with my body having been thoroughly trashed by tough pregnancies, tough births and some surplus stones after the initial babyweight.

Record what you do. It's motivating to see how far you've come from your start.
Then gradually add in more variety as you are ready to keep it fresh.

I've even got DH into Pokemon Go now

Well done, it does get easier.

Well done! The first step is the hardest, and you’ve taken it 👍

I find my garmin watch really motivating - I try to track an activity on it every day. I’ve only missed one day this year so far which is really irritating me 🙈 Sometimes it’s a walk, sometimes a run, sometimes yoga, sometimes just a walk with the dog, but I always try to do something. You can pick all sorts of fitness trackers up on eBay at all levels of price - mine was £84, DH has my old gps qwatch which cost £20.

Keep going, it gets easier.

Maybe find some podcasts to listen to while you walk? You can increase the length of the podcast to match how long you want to walk and it will take your mind off the actual walking if you're finding it hard.

Also get some decent, supportive trainers. They will make the world of difference.

👏💪 keep going!

Can you hear us cheering you? You are incredible. You did it.

Well done. Keep going every day and each day it will get a little easier. Don't let the way you feel now put you off, you need to do this and you will feel better.

Keep going.... slowly, slowly.
Don't do too much to put yourself off. It's a marathon not a sprint to get fitter, I learnt the hard way and injured myself.
Well done!

The first time you exercise after not, is always the worst! Keep going! Dance in your kitchen, do more walking, climb the stairs a few more times every day! You can do this! It's so much harder when you're carrying extra weight. Bloody good on you for making the first move!
I went for a walk today with my DD and young dog - who I got as my new personal trainer. We were all knackered afterwards and I keeled over on the sofa for a while :)

Well done that’s your first 0.5miles done.

If you keep it up you won’t notice that 0.5 miles soon. Third the advice for comfortable shoes.

Well done! 0.75miles tomorrow!

Well done op. You have started and now you have a target to meet and eventually surpass.

Last year I weighed almost 22 stone and the covid fear got to me so I decided to calorie count and start exercising. This started with walking, which was tough to start with. I slowly built up my distance to a decent distance and then started to record the walks to beat my time.

I have now progressed to couch25k, and was on week 8, and can now jog for at least 28 minutes. Something I did not think I could do last year. I have a calf issue at the moment so can't continue, have got myself a spin bike to use in the mean time.

I am now down to just over 17 stone and now really enjoy turning myself into a sweaty mess.

Keep going! Each time you do it you’ll find it a little bit easier. Well done!

I started off the same OP - did one loop of our v small park and that nearly killed me!

Slowly built up from there, starting in Jan this year, and can now comfortably walk at least 5 miles!

You've done the hard bit which is the first walk - you can do it!

Fitbit definitely and ideally, an appointment for your daily walk - what's the best time? Decide on it, lay out your gear and stick with it.

I think you have done brilliantly OP. You’ve probably already looked at this but if not, there are some great tips here. www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/walking-for-health/

The lovely thing it says is just 10 mins a day can make a difference so don’t go too hard too fast. If you apply the principles of couch to 5k, repeat your today walk 2 more times before levelling up. Perhaps 12.5 mins for the following 3 sessions etc.

I did couch to 5k and one thing I learnt is that if it feels too hard, slow down. Don’t stop and the same applies with walking.

So proud of you!

Good work op. I did a 20 minute workout today and managed nearly all of it. Am definitely feeling more flexible and stronger. Keep at it!

Well done for getting out and giving it a go OP!
I also recommend a fitbit to encourage you. I got a second hand one from ebay.
This week I teamed up with some people on Facebook and we did a fitbit challange.
We've never met but we all encouraged each other and it was fun.

I also found lots of new lovely walks in my area just by walking about and exploring.
Getting my ear phones in and listening to my favourite songs as I go along really helps me too.

Well done you. 👏 👏 👏

Same again tomorrow, and build up from there. You will be amazed how quickly fitness builds when you’re starting from scratch. Invest in some proper walking shoes.

Well done!
If you need inspiration to walk you could get a litter picker and pick as you go.

Bud you're lapping everyone on the sofa.. we'll done!

You will see results far far quicker than someone who starts off reasonably fit. Use that at your motivator. Get a fit bit and start tracking your steps. Try and beat your total each week. In 6 weeks you'll feel so much better.

Well done op! I’m heavier than you so get how you’re feeling. I get put off by the aches and pains I feel after exercising 😫.

Can anyone recommend some trainers? ASICS have been mentioned but there seems to be lots of styles.

Oh you lot are bloody lovely. I've ordered a fitbit. Will be here in 3-5 days.

@LudoBear so proud of you for starting! Keep it up.
@SmellyUnicorn That’s fantastic!!! Well done!
I start tomorrow! You’ve all inspired me.