To have never exercised? (but want to start)

[ShowMePotatoSalad]

I don't exercise. Never been on a treadmill, never been out for a run. Well, I tell a lie - I did try to go out for a run once and got a stitch in my side and an awful pain in my neck. I had to lie down on the sofa until I stopped feeling sick. It was a 50 yard jog. So I never did it again. I honestly have no clue how people run marathons. They must work so, so hard.

I go on walks and I used to walk to work but that was primarily to get to work! Not to get fit. I really, really want to get fit and I want to do it right this time by actually working out.

I'm doing the 16:8 diet which works really well for me, and I'm starting to lose weight. But I don't just want to be slim I want to be toned. I've got a flabby tummy, back fat and cellulite all down my legs. I really want to change it and be in the best shape of my life before I hit 30.

My cardiovascular whatsits (don't even know the terminology) must be absolutely shit. Have I left it too late to get fit now?

I always remember my first run after i had my DS. It hurt so much and i lost my breath so quickly and I felt so fat and like i looked ridiculous. I ended up walking after a few minutes. Last year i ran a half marathon and i was so proud of myself. I downloaded an app called mapmyrun and started really basic (10 mins jog 10 mins walk) and just built it up really really gradually. I just tried to beat my average speed each time by the tiniest margin. Squats and exfoliating with a loofah really reduced my cellulite and eating 8 fruit and veg a day really helped me lose weight quicker although i would recommend a lifestyle diet like slimming world rather than something faddy like you have described - but whatever works for you.

Where are you OP? If by chance you're in Bristol, Bath or London look up This Mum Runs. They're awesome and made for people like you.

I recently lost a couple of stone. I did the diet first to actually lose the weight, then did exercise to tone up. I think if you try and exercise at the same time as dieting, its much harder as the exercise will just make you hungry and counter-act the dieting.
I never liked exercise until I found cycling! Its never too late to start. I was nearly 40 when I did it. Did you not do any exercise when you were younger?

YANBU - go for it!

Try stuff and find what you like - I enjoy running - 2 years ago I did a 6k fun run and walked half of it while trying not to be sick (although I thought I was fit!) now I run the same route twice a week with no problem - it just takes time

I also weight train and do aerobics on a trampoline twice a week

I am not thin but I am bloody fit - and given my age and my family history of heart problems that is what matters

Have I left it too late?

Not at all. You're still really young. I'm 50 and only started taking a bit of exercise last year (walking the couple of miles to work and back instead of getting the bus, using the wii fit).

I downloaded the couch to 5K app on my phone a couple of months ago and have gone from getting out of puff after 1 minute of jogging to be able to run to work without needing a break.

I only joined the gym a couple of weeks ago. I'd always worried that everybody would be young and fit, and that put me off. I only tried it because I took out membership for my daughter and got a free session. There are people of all ages, shapes, sizes and levels of fitness. And everybody's too busy doing their own exercises to worry about what anyone else is doing.

Try different kinds of exercise (walking, swimming, cycling, dancing, work out videos on youtube etc etc) until you find something that you enjoy. Start slowly and gently and build up gradually. Try to do a mixture of cardio (stuff that gets you out of breath and is good for your heart) and weight bearing exercises that will tone you up.