Let's start at the very beginning... a very good place to start...

[alisoncooks]

So this past year (or 2) has been very rough for me, in regards to fitness. I've had some challenges with homeschooling my oldest, and I pretty much abandoned regular workouts and dove headfirst into sweet tea and coffee (and donuts) for comfort & stamina.

Mis-take!

Anyway, I am back at my high weight... PLUS 15 extra pounds. Sheesh.
These past 2 weeks I've been trying to work out, and everything I have is SO HARD.

Even in small doses.

Today I gave in and ordered Powerfit Harmony. I'm hoping I can handle it and get some use out of it for a while. I have a few Leslies and a beginner yoga video or two...

Anyone else basically starting over? Or any extreme newbies here? I went back and was looking at my Collage success story, and I am so frustrated with myself. I'd love to be where I was when I wrote that -- and IIRC, I wasn't happy with how far I'd gotten back then. Wish I could go back to that Me and slap her around a bit! (I was healthy and fit, even if it wasn't my pre-kid weight! I didn't appreciate that then... I thought I was only half-way to my goal. Stupid, unrealistic goal!)

Anyone else wanna fess up? And starter-overs?

[14yrbeliever]

I'm starting over for the millionth time in my life. I had lost about 50 lbs about 2 years ago and was almost from the obese to the overweight range and then I got busy getting my PhD thesis done and BAM...it really seemed like overnight...within 6 months I had stopped working out and had gained the 50 back. 50 more followed them....so here I am...obese and at my highest weight ever. I had been working out at a med/high-intermediate level before and now I have to modify everything down to a beginner level.

I, too, just bought Powerfit 5 day rotation and Powerfit Harmony! So I shall think of you as I try to get in my 20-40 min per day and grunt my way towards the future which will hopefully include a healthier, happier me (and you!).

[donnamp]

Oh, ((HUGS)) I hate setbacks.

Although I have been working out regularly and consistently, I have really taken down the intensity quite a bit over the last year - and now I'm wanting to build back up to doing some more challenging workouts. I was eyeing the PowerFits as a place to start as well, or I was thinking about doing the Firm's "6 Pack" workouts from "back in the day" - they are shorter and easier/slower paced than most of the other FIRM workouts out there.

I was also thinking about Margaret Richard - her stuff is gentle, so less chance of injury, but challenging.

Donna

[Kitten]

I did the YBB live rotation around Christmas. At 30-45minutes 6x a week it was easy to fit in.

[susan p]

I think you guys need to know JUST HOW AMAZING YOU ARE.

Which is pretty daggone amazing.

Giving up is so easy. Trying again is so hard. I've heard it said many times that it isn't falling that gets ya, it's not getting back up. I know that I have been a restarter MANY TIMES and I always tell myself that it's ok if I am a restarter FOREVER as long as I don't ever STOP being a restarter. Ya know??

So heads high, ladies. You're being resilient and that's a wonderful thing. And I LOVE Stephanie's PowerFits!

[cherimac]

Originally Posted by susan p

I think you guys need to know JUST HOW AMAZING YOU ARE.

Which is pretty daggone amazing.

Giving up is so easy. Trying again is so hard. I've heard it said many times that it isn't falling that gets ya, it's not getting back up. I know that I have been a restarter MANY TIMES and I always tell myself that it's ok if I am a restarter FOREVER as long as I don't ever STOP being a restarter. Ya know??

So heads high, ladies. You're being resilient and that's a wonderful thing. And I LOVE Stephanie's PowerFits!

X2.

[yogapam]

I am not a newbie right now, but I have been more than once due to injuries or surgery. There is no where to go but up, and I think Powerfit is a great place to start! The workouts are nicely paced if you are starting out or just need a more low key option. 20 min is a perfect length and you always have the option of doing more than one at at time. It is one set I won't trade as I never know when I might need it again, touch wood!

Have you joined a check in? I find that a great way to get support, encouragement, and accountability.

I wish you all the best!

[Avila]

I am another beginner (re-starter) that just bought Powerfit Harmony and am waiting for it to show up.

[sherry7899]

I am with you! I've had an awful time with insomnia since late last year. I've been too wiped out to exercise. I did complete the Sadhana earlier this year, but I've totally slacked since then.

I'm restarting again-for the millionth time. Maybe exercise will help me sleep better. Nothing else has worked.

I did Lee Holden's 7MOM AM on Saturday, 10minutes on the treadmill yesterday, and 20 minutes on the treadmill today.

I hope to add in some Margaret Richard Unplugged workouts since they are 25 minutes long and no dread.

I may just alternate the treadmill and Margaret for awhile. I seem to be too overwhelmed to even pick out dvd segments at this point.

Sherry

[Laura S.]

I exercise regularly, but still have lost so much ground. I lost a lot of weight a few years ago and gained almost all of it back. I lost of a little of it last year, but am having trouble maintaining that and have even put on a few pounds in the past few weeks. The stress levels in my house are through the roof and all I want to do is eat "bad stuff". Now, my left knee is shot and I have no one to blame but myself for carrying all this weight for so long. I just hope to lose the weight before any other parts "go".

One of the most inspiring posts I have read here on VF is this one. Turns out, it wasn't quite true. Here is the rest of the story...

I post these for all the people who can draw inspiration from them.