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.

What age are the kids? Can you do something that involves them? Like going out walking or cycling.
I've just ordered an electric bike, and I'm so excited to try it, as I know I'll be able to go so much futher than I can with a normal bike, because I'm not very fit myself. They aren't cheap, but you can get good deals on gumtree/ebay and argos have cheap ones.

That means you don't need to worry about childcare, and you can have fun as a family.

Also I read that you have kids with you most of the time. When pools are reopened, get them all in their swimming costumes (I'm sorry I'm not sure if you put ages, or if i just cant remember!) And give them each a choice of a good "swimdance move" and do it 20 times, then move on to another, then turn the water running into a game of water tag.

These have been some of DDs favourite times with me. We would do some moves I'd learned from classes, then DD would show me a move, and we would giggle and probably look like a pair of plonkers, but she was exercising too and it was quite fun!

I hear you OP. How old are the children? Little ones make things much more difficult. Mine are now at an age where, if I wanted to, I could go out for a walk right now this minute (youngest is 10). It's very liberating.

If that's a possibility for you that's what I would do. Just put shoes on and go out for a 15 minute walk. It's a start and every journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step [smile}

If they are younger and you can't go out without them then that is more difficult because it sounds like what you really need is some time for you. Just you. I've really enjoyed Yoga with Adriene on youtube - some bits I can do and some I can't but just doing it (for me, first thing, before the kids are up) sets me up for the day.

Walk to the corner and back every day. Next week do it twice a day.

Avoid sweets and eating between meals. You'll feel loads better in a month or two.

Sorry not read all The answers but I agree , start with walking a short distance and increase by a lamp post or a field each day.
Work mainly on improving your diet upping your water intake first. Cut out your carbs, concentrate on eating good quality ( filling) fats , small portions of protein and lots of fruit and veg, cut out sugars and try not to worry too much about exercise until you start feeling better.

Whatever you decide to do, choose the time and plan. Have your trainers by the door, good music or podcast, fitness clothes by the bed or in your work bag. You can do this a step at a time! Good luck

If you can afford it, get a personal trainer. Best thing I ever did.

OP I felt like you two weeks ago. So I just took out my savings and booked personal trainer sessions four times a week. Only been doing it for a week and a half and already feel the strength and energy flowing back into this outsized slug. It is expensive but I suddenly thought: what else are you supposed to spend it that's worth more than your own health? I'm hoping that after paying for the sessions for three months I'll have the strength and motivation to keep going on my own.

There are some good YouTube walking videos that you can just do in your living room. You can start by doing 15 mins in the morning and 15 mins in the evening.
Once you know the routine, just do it while watching a tv programme.

Get outside with the kids once a day. Just go for a walk or play with a ball or a frisbee with them.

Once you feel a bit more fitter, then progress onto more challenging sessions. There are so many on YouTube that you can fit in 10 minutes even.

Don’t wait for the weekends. Do something every day as it will uplift you.

The c25K thread is a friendly place full of us new runners.

We are all at different stages and places. Come over and join us.

I felt exactly the same as you. I walked for a few weeks, every night. Then started c25k.

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.

That's the yoga teacher I found Doesn't feel patronising, just relaxing and informative.

Jillian Michaels is good and very inspirational. She was very overweight herself once, and she was the exercise coach on the biggest loser, she occasionally says things like, "I"ve got 400lb people who can do this," which makes you feel like she knows what she's talking about. Her DVDs are only about a fiver on Amazon and I understand she has videos on You tube too.

I think she's fab and I am grateful to her. I heard about her on here actually.

Start small as previous posters have said. I've started running during lockdown. I try to go three times a week and I go really early. Not many people are about and it means I still have the rest of the day. I usually go out for an hour but you could build up to that start with a 30 min walk. Record your results on Strava so you can see the improvements. Really try not to feel self conscious either. People will genuinely be thinking well done to her for getting fit. Good luck op.

Love yoga with Adriene, she’s so calming and always says it doesn’t matter what you can and can’t do.

I'm with everyone else. Small tiny goals. It will take weeks or even months to see a difference but when you do you will be motivated to continue. The hardest part is those first few weeks, trying to stay motivated but feeling little gain. But I promise, you will eventually benefit, then you will start to feel great and be motivated to do more. You have to find something that you enjoy though. Whether that is walking, running, bike, swim, classes, exercise videos at home.
I started running a few years a go. To begin with I could barely run round the block but every other day I aimed to get a little bit further before stopping. Sometimes it was torture mentally and physically but now I love my runs. It clears my mind and keeps me fit. I lost a stone as well and toned up and eventually joined a gym and fitted in a class once or twice a week too. I know it's hard with kids but maybe as others have said, get them involved. Mine come out with me on their bikes.

Exercise. A little walk. And each day go a little farther. And do it everyday. Listen to a podcast-

The High low
The Adam Buxton podcast
My dad wrote a porno
Dear joan and Jericha

You could start with some at home you tube vids

Oh OP I've been exactly where you are! It really does feel impossible but it really isn't. I strongly recommend a personal trainer if you can afford it, they know where to start you off so you don't over do it and if you pick the right one for you you'll get the right type of encouragement. I have no motivation without mine and would return to a slug/elephant hybrid without him in a second!

Just walk.
find an audiobook or podcast you love, and only listen when you're exercising. Becomes pretty compelling. Don't underestimate the efficacy of walking.
You can do it, op.

The really good news OP is that any exercise you do, no matter how small, is going to make a massive positive difference to your health! If you were super fit doing a 1k run would be admirable, but wouldn't make that much difference overall. If you are very unfit just a small amount of exercise will be so beneficial. Could you do something like put some headphones on and dance to your favourite disco music for 15 mins? (Or 5 minutes or whatever you can do). If you have a garden, wait til it's dark and then run to the end and back each night. Alternate running and walking if you can't do it all in one go. You'll be surprised how much better you will feel in the morning, and how proud of yourself you will be when you can run all of it without stopping ! The sense of achievement feels nice toox

Try to move more in the house, when something needs doing do it now. I've had a number of trips upstairs today emptying potties, DD and I've been sharing it, once an hour each every hour. I've also taken to exercise when the kettles on to boil, either crouches, lunges or my physio exercises.

I joined ramblers doing the shorter walks and that was great. Obviously it’s not happening at the moment but give it some thought.

Also, you can get into some good habits quite easily and quickly. When I brush my teeth at night, I do squats. Even if you do them by sitting down on the loo and getting up again 10 times, that's better than standing still.

I would agree with PP try some kids yoga. It will build strength and flexibility- then some light weight exercises to slowly increase strength, go on to mix the weights with squats/lunges. The weights should just be difficult enough you have to really push for the last 5 reps.

Try walking, get a step counter and just do a thousand more steps every few days.

Do 5 squats whilst waiting for the kettle to boil. When you go to the loo walk up the stairs then back down then back up.

Just build a little more exercise into your daily life. Once you’re feeling a bit fitter/stronger maybe see a PT for a couple of sessions.

Good luck

And yes to yoga with Adrienne - so calming and encouraging to reach your own potential- everything yoga should be.

I've taken to walking a neighbours dog and it takes the focus off me and I'm committed to walking him... and now I feel fitter... every second night ..