Getting fit

[PlateSpinnerJuggler]

So I literally since a teenager haven't done any exercise - (I'm 40 now).
I'm aware both my parents have / had heart disease and I'm thinking it's about time I take some responsibility.... and start looking after myself somewhat - but I loathe at the thought....

Any suggestions for a real real beginner??

Wouldn't want to do anything in front of anyone at this point

Walking definitely works. I lost half a stone in no time when we first got our current dog. Unfortunately despite my best intentions I didn't keep it up between dogs. As you say it seemed a waste of time because it was 'only' for me.
I find putting lively dance tunes on makes me do everything faster and I can't resist dancing around. I feel the years dropping off me.
Me and DH also did karate for a few years as sitting watching my son felt such a waste of time. It really is so enjoyable and also addictive which spurs you on though it looks like hell from the outside. If you join as a family that will make you keep going, it's a fantastic confidence builder for kids (and adults !) . I reached brown and white belt before I sadly had to stop but I did things I never dreamt I would be capable of. It also massively increased my confidence in everyday life.
As pps have said it's all about finding something you enjoy so you'll stick with it.

If you find walking boring or you feel guilty you're 'not doing anything' while you walk then download audiobooks or podcasts. BBC Sounds has an app and there are lots of audiobooks which have been serialised. Podcasts are great as they are often about 30-40 mins long which is the perfect length for a decent walk.

I guess my goal is to have a healthy heart... if I want to lose weight I know I can do it via diet but that's not stand alone with two parents with heart disease

That's a brilliant place to start from, OP, and makes it clearer what you need to do. Diet you sound like you already know about, so you can make some healthy changes there - little by little, no need to do everything at once - and in terms of exercise, you want to transform your body into something that can work harder and harder without getting out of breath. There's really only one way to do that: get out of breath! If you walk up a flight of stairs now and it puffs you out, you can change that by walking up the same flight of stairs lots of times. A few repeats on a regular basis, and you'll find that it will take more and more effort to get you out of puff. You want to be always going just a little bit further than comfortable, but not much further. Just push that boundary a little, on the regular, and it will move.

Make sure your blood pressure's ok first though, before you start pushing boundaries. Get your doctor to check it, then you could get one of these:

www.kinetikwellbeing.com/blood-pressure-monitors/fully-automatic-blood-pressure-monitor-wbp1/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuKiSrtON8gIVA-_tCh2dewljEAQYBiABEgJC4fD_BwE

Many many many of the fit and healthy people you see (on the tennis courts, running in the street etc) are only exercising for an hour or two a week. It's not a massive deal. Start small, keep consistent, and before you know it, you'll have to go for a run to get enough of a challenge.

@TheFoundations

I guess my goal is to have a healthy heart... if I want to lose weight I know I can do it via diet but that's not stand alone with two parents with heart disease

That's a brilliant place to start from, OP, and makes it clearer what you need to do. Diet you sound like you already know about, so you can make some healthy changes there - little by little, no need to do everything at once - and in terms of exercise, you want to transform your body into something that can work harder and harder without getting out of breath. There's really only one way to do that: get out of breath! If you walk up a flight of stairs now and it puffs you out, you can change that by walking up the same flight of stairs lots of times. A few repeats on a regular basis, and you'll find that it will take more and more effort to get you out of puff. You want to be always going just a little bit further than comfortable, but not much further. Just push that boundary a little, on the regular, and it will move.

Make sure your blood pressure's ok first though, before you start pushing boundaries. Get your doctor to check it, then you could get one of these:

www.kinetikwellbeing.com/blood-pressure-monitors/fully-automatic-blood-pressure-monitor-wbp1/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuKiSrtON8gIVA-_tCh2dewljEAQYBiABEgJC4fD_BwE

Many many many of the fit and healthy people you see (on the tennis courts, running in the street etc) are only exercising for an hour or two a week. It's not a massive deal. Start small, keep consistent, and before you know it, you'll have to go for a run to get enough of a challenge.

Thank you so much! This makes complete sense... Thankfully my blood pressure has always been ok - was on the pill for many years so had it regularly monitored...

Appreciate the tips!