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.

Could have written this post myself @OhioOhioOhio !

Start off easy by trying to develop an exercise habit. I sit at a desk all day so for me it was walk round the block every evening and do an hour’s activity in the garden at the weekends (Gardening, tidying etc) . Just start off with trying to ‘move more’.

Can you get an audio book or podcast that makes you want to listen to it as you walk. That way the exercise / podcast becomes something to look forward to. As you do more you’ll get fitter and start to challenge yourself - I hate running but do it because I like the Feeling of getting fitter.

Another trick is to put trainers and clothing by the bed then go out for a walk before your brain has woken up to say no. Have your breakfast when you get back, but you’ll feel good for having done it without having the all day dread. Once you get fitter look at local groups, try different things and set yourself small Goals. A fitness watch is good as well, you’ll find yourself trying to beat the previous day’s steps. Its great if you can enjoy exercising, but many people don’t , thats ok as long as you do it !

I heard a great thing the other day - don’t aim to ‘get fit’, just aim to do 30-60 minutes more exercise every day (or most days). That sounds a lot more achievable than ‘getting fit’ doesn’t it?

I agree to start slowly. Just get into the habit of doing 5-10 minutes classes, like Leslie Sansome, as PP suggested or Fabulous Fifties ( you don't have to be 50, they're just low impact classes which are fun and get you started.

Once you get into a routine, you really start enjoying how your body looks and feels.

If you like dancing, you can then move on to some of the dance classes, which are a great laugh but a bit more strenuous.

I started exercise two years ago after doing nothing for the previous five years (poleaxed by menopause). Started with beginners Pilates and v slow flow yoga. It took a while but my body is in such better shape now health and lookswise.

I can't really add to the good advice already given here OP. Just wanted to say that I'm 47 and couldn't even run for 30 seconds in February. Really overweight (BMI 42) and just KNEW that I may as well stay fat.

I ran 7k the other week (before work!!) and could have kept going but I'd run out of time. C25K really works I am still genuinely shocked that I'm probably going to run 10k pretty soon and I don't feel daunted but confident.

I've lost 2 stone without massively changing my diet (we eat very well cook from scratch etc but have been a bit stricter on portions). I sound like a cliche but honestly, if I can, anyone can. I hadn't exercised since school apart from walking and the odd swim.

In my case, I did need a dig from my husband who loves me fat or thin but was worried about my health. He is super fit, gym triathlons etc and I did find that he kept me going when I might have given up. I'm not convinced I could have got this far without him, so do think about someone who can be your conscience/cheerleader/whatever helps. If you don't have that someone think about an online group or C25K group locally when they're meeting again/group for another loccal activity aimed at beginners.

Wishing you so much luck I'm still v overweight but I look miles better and my confidence has really grown. You will need to really dig in and keep going even when you don't fancy it though!

I broke BOTH ANKLES at the same time. Restarted mobility with a you tube tai chi and LESLIE SANSON. I can’t recommend her enough.

Oh op come on you can do it. Lots of good advice on here. I agree with the walking route to fitness and if you don’t want to go outside walk on the spot in front of the tv.
Just try and imagine how good you will feel next summer when you can go on holiday.

What do you enjoy? Dance, being in the water, walking in beautiful places? Exercise shouldn't be a punishment. Pick something that you can see yourself finding fun. If you want, wear headstones with your favourite music or a podcast. And as others have said, start very slowly, and then gradually increase. Keep a log of what you're doing, it's surprising how small increases build up to huge changes.

I am very very overweight, 5"4 and 18 stone and have started couch to 5k this week. I feel amazing when I've completed a "run" and it's very easy to follow. I've also started with small weights at home. Nothing is going to happen overnight but I keep reminding myself that doing that run was far more important than the bag of crisps I would have eaten! I'm happy to have a Mumsnet buddy if you like.

I could've written this!! I just feel so tired and a chat just now, granted I'm just off a working weekend and have a toddler, but I shouldn't feel this physically tired!

I've just started walking to work, is a 30 min stride so I'm hoping that will help so I can build up to doing home ad well (It's uphill all the way!) And then start to rebuild my fitness. I used to be reasonable fit, but have put on about 20kg in the last year and I can really feel it now!

Hello OP, same here, you're not alone. Take a look at Second Nature (app) used to be called Our Path. Recommended by NHS for diet and lifestyle change. I did it last year, it was great. really achievable and tailored goals, one on one coach support and a peer group of lovely ladies all in the same boat. Enough light-touch competition to keep you motivated (or you can opt out of that). Highly recommended (and DELISH recipes!)

Thank you. I wilm read all of your advice properly when the kids are in bed later. I really struggle to fit exercise, or anything, for me in. They do go to their nasty parent now and again so I do get a break but because they are so out of sorts when they get back I'm constantly sorting sleep/behaviour/meal routines. I used to be, years ago now, reasonably fit. Now I'm nearly mid 40s and I'm not agile, flexible, confident, happy or strong. I don't have the imagination to believe I can achieve it because I've failed so many times now. And, I realise when I try to choose healthy food I can't think of anything so I eat the same couple of meals over the course of a week and then give up. Oh, and I forgot, I dress like a slob and don't go anywhere or do anything that requires dressing smart, at all. Fk. It's worse than I thought.

I know the feeling OP!

My mum is 65 and loads fitter than I am! It's embarrassing!

But I'd say walking is a good place to start. Just building up your distance and speed gradually.

I’ve been doing videos by Team Body Project, via YouTube. They are suitable for beginners. They are very encouraging. The idea is that you do as much as you can, pause when you need to and finish together. Lots of different ones available.

Another vote for just walk. Just walk for 15 minutes. Next time walk faster. Then further. You’ll be amazed ho many calories you can burn just walking. Chuck your earphones in and sunglasses on. Once you start to feel better about it all maybe consider a class or c25k. Don’t rush into it.

One small change will lead to others - don't try and fix everything at once OP. One little step, establish it as a habit, and you'll start to feel good about yourself and want to make more changes. Why not start by doing something nice for you, like using body lotion or some little way to care for yourself that you don't currently do?

I've just started out on a get fit campaign, along with losing weight.

I've started with lots of walking, like posters are recommending, and I've found a YouTube channel where a yoga teacher is going through the very basics. I plan to do this daily to work on flexibility and toning.

Once I've got a bit of the weight off (for the sake of my knees) I'm going to give the C25K a go. I'd be estatic if I could complete that. Even my abusive ex, who claimed to be fit, would never be able to do that.

I feel the same.
If you feel that your weight is a barrier in exercising , I will tell you exercise that I have found useful.
Weights and exercising in water.

I started with swimming, and aqua size is flipping amazing. I also walk in water, or run. In the beginning of the year I would spend an hour or so a day just swimming, walking and running in the water.
You're virtually weightless, and not damaginging your knees with excessive weight whilst doing that.

On the second day I'd go upto the gym and do a couple of sets of weights before going to the pool.

Yes I probably looked like a bit of a nutter, but I was really feeling better for it.

The swimming pools are supposed to open again soon!

Good luck!

I could barely move during pregnancy due to SPD, then had a tough birth.
At 10 days post birth I began to get fit starting with a 100m walk to the post box and back with a pair of poles.

I was 2st heavier than usual but with thinner legs because of muscle wastage.

After 8 weeks I could walk 1-2 miles. At 5 months, I felt fit enough for mainstream exercise classes.

I'd also recommend Yoga with Adriene. She had lots of beginners or short, undemanding videos, but building up yoga is good for general and core strength which helps with everything else.

I’m in your shoes. Forties fat inflexible crap diet and tired all the time.
I did a yoga with Adrienne video for the first time in Months today.
It was this one

yogawithadriene.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b387e5263f0a244eb08128a0a&id=d3aa86b45d&e=cf6bccf569

NHS couch to 5k is brilliant, but if that sounds too much, have a look at NHS active 10. It's a free walking tracker app, 10 minutes of brisk walking a day. They don't have to be consecutive minutes.
But really, it doesn't matter what you start with. You just need to start something. That's the hardest part, because it's a mental hurdle. Even one minute off the couch is better than no minutes.

Placemarking. Cheers OP, you just summed up what is in my head. Good luck to you and everyone else in the same boat.

OP, I feel EXACTLY the same as you.

I've gone from size 14 to size 20 in a year. Emotional eating etc.

I'm going to start by doing a short 1 mile walk each day and build up.

We can do it!

This so me. 5ft 4 and size 20/22. Your words are all very inspiring.

Start small. Start by just doing a 5 minute walk at the same time every day. Then try and do 10 minutes. Build until you are doing a 30 minute walk at the same time. Then think about running (but for now just think about walking). Even a 30 minute walk will be so beneficial. And if you do it at the same time every day your body starts to expect and want it at that time. First thing in the morning can work well, before you have had a chance to think about it.

Nb I need to take my own advice! I have got fit again before but sadly a really stressful year has undone it all