I feel like I'm so unfit that getting fit is going to be actually impossible.

[OhioOhioOhio]

I feel like across between a slug and an elephant with a sore head. I'm so unfit and fat it seems pointless to even try. Can anyone give me any advice or pointers? Thank you.

Start small, I can't say this enough. If you put too much pressure on or overdo it and hurt yourself or make your street like crap, you will avoid exercising again. Make small things into new habits.

Get moving more in ways that you enjoy. You don't have to go to a gym or take up running if that doesn't interest you. I don't particularly enjoy running. I get out of breath quickly and my boobs bounce too much (even with a professionally fitted bra) but I can belt out a pump class, or go horse riding for hours.

Also when you find the thing you enjoy, set yourself a goal and then break it down into smaller chunks. Eg. Despite not liking running, I've always wanted to be good at it. So I signed up for a 10km run and then set myself smaller goals eg 2km non stop by this date, 5kms by x date. Really helped with motivation.

Sorry you feel this way OP, it can feel very overwhelming and out of reach when you look at where you are now and where you would like to be.

My advice would be to remember what ever you decide to do, that it's a long term change and you wont see results overnight, but if you are persistent with small changes, in a few weeks time it will suddenly click. You'll look back, realise the progress you've made and that will motivate you to keep going.

I don't know your fitness levels now, but you could try committing to walk X distance per day. Then increase it after a week and so on. Or try something like couch to 5k?

Good luck! Improving my fitness has been the best thing I ever did. I notice it in every day life i.e. I don't get sweaty and breathless anymore after an hour of gardening. You wont regret making a change.

Start small, be patient, drink enough, eat some carbs food beforehand (not jaffacakes but toast or porridge etc)

You can do it! Just remember- it doesn't matter how small you start. Any exercise is better than none. Start really small and pick something you aren't going to hate! If you're seriously unfit, walking is the best. Just build up the distance and speed really gradually. If you need distraction, listen to music or podcasts while you are walking (if safe to do so!).

Agree start small. As small as you like. I am currently doing a "workout" which lasts 5 minutes. Today ( day 3) i did it twice so already up to 10 minutes! I'll stick at this for a bit then add another circuit taking me up to 15 minutes. Muscles ache so it must be doing some good

What about doing C25K or something? I did it as a group and nobody cares! There are people of all shapes and sizes. The mantra was no one gets left behind.

Couch to 5k is good or just try going for long walks. You'll be surprised at how quickly your fitness levels improve.

You could do couch to 5k but for walking, so walk slower and faster rather than doing the running bits. If you are really unfit then walking 3 miles/5k briskly without stopping will be a achievement and then you can look at longer walks or a different sport. Do you have a bike? You could try cycling too and there are plenty of videos for home workouts.

Anything is better than nothing.

I just feel defeated. Like an absolutely useless, ugly lump. I can't seem to begin.

Doing Joe Wicks workouts every morning got me in enough shape to walk longer distances and then start couch to 5k. When I started Joe Wicks I could manage so little that it was embarrassing and the pain in my muscles afterwards was enough to keep me awake at night. It took 8 weeks to see a difference in stamina and I had to learn to tolerate being uncomfortable in that time. I hate being sweaty, hate my heart pounding, hate aching, hate feeling breathless and exhausted. BUT if you can persist through that and come out the other side, your body (my elderly, overweight, seriously unfit body), gradually adjusts. I always worked out first thing to get it over with and because I could shower afterwards and get on with the day. After 8 weeks I added in walking, going out for an hour every other day. Now I'm running. Slow slow slow and determined progress. It's not easy but it's possible.

Just walk. Try changing one thing at a time.

The most important thing is that you DO begin and start to form habits. Does not matter how small the steps are just start. Go for a walk and on every minute jog slowly for 10 seconds. Start with a 10 minute walk and then a 15 minute walk and up. Then start to replace 10 seconds with 15 seconds and you will gradually get fitter without even realising.

Start very small. Whatever you think you could accomplish, whether that is a walk to the shop and a walk back, or whatever. And see how you feel after that. Could you do it again that day? Could you do it twice without stopping? And that way you build up gradually. Stay at the same amount of exercise if you’re more comfortable that way. Something is better than nothing.

Don't feel like that, OP.

I was worse. I binned my trainers when I left school and didn't buy another pair until I was 48.

The first year, I wasn't in any state to do C2K. I started with gate posts. The first night I jogged to my third neighbour's gate. And then each day I tried for the next gatepost or half way at least

On a good day I can run 10k now. It just took a while, and a bit of determination. You'll get there.

If Joe Wicks is too full on, try Cosmic Yoga (my kids prefer this and I can join in - I have arthritis and am very limited as to what I can do exercise wise but a lot of Cosmic Yoga is OK)

Def start small with things you know you can do. If you can walk for 5 minutes now, then increase that by 30 seconds every 3 days. When you can walk for 10 minutes, increase it by 1 minute every 3. If you can walk for 30 minutes, note where you get to in 15 minutes and the next time try to walk faster to get to a lamp post further than you did before.

Have you ever broken a bone? Asking because after I had a leg in plaster for weeks and weeks the muscle was completely wasted away - it was a completely different shape to the other leg and I couldnt even lift it. However, it was suprising how quickly the muscle came back (obviously I was motivated to work on it) and it made me rethink the possibilities of exercise in general - basically no matter how low the muscle tone is that your starting with if you exercise (within safe limits) regulalry then it improves and keeps improving.

yoga (especially if you can do a little every day) is also really good for increasing your strength and flexibility without you even noticing its happening at first.

You are not defeated, fat, useless or ugly. No no no. It might seem far away right now, but you can get there. I have seen a colleague go from 21 stone down to about 16 stone and he did it by walking to work (2 miles) instead of driving, and learning to calorie count.

Exercise releases endorphins, which make you feel good. Just a tiny bit, consistently each day and your mood will start to lift, I promise you.

I use to be liek this and you CAN get fit anyone can, as everyone else said you start small and don't let anyone shame you because you cannot lift/walk ect as much as them

OP I started with the Leslie Sansone Walk at Home sessions on youtube - the one mile walk is doable at home and manageable for beginners - even if you just do the 5min warm up to start. I am terribly unfit but as a single mum can't get out for a run and this helped me get started.

Just go for a walk every day. Then start walking faster. Try to get out of breath.

I would do that to start with.

I would also up your water and try to eat more vegetables less carbs/sugar. Just exercising will make you want to eat more healthily.

The buy yourself a nice bath oil/lotion. Treat yourself. You sound so down on yourself.

Good luck! The hardest part is putting your trainers on. Once you’ve decided, it’s easy.

Do you like music and dancing? Sometimes, it makes exercise seem more bearable.
I am not talking about prancing about in Lycra, but maybe something like Zumba Gold?
All shapes. All sizes. All levels of fitness. It can even be done from seated.

Go for a walk every day at a quicker pace than you would normally. Then, when you are comfortable doing that, try couch to 5k, but DON'T expect to do if in 9 weeks. Repeat runs and weeks as often as you like until you've mastered them. It took me 6 months but changed my whole outlook towards exercise. Post somewhere about your progress. It makes you accountable and you'll get loads of encouragement- I promise

And well done for taking the first step by posting here