howdy---and I am terrified

[jeaniebeanie]

So---I am about to start working out for the very first time in my life at the ripe old age of 37.

Some facts about me:
- i started smoking when i was 13. I finally quit 2 years ago
- i was very thin for most of my life. But the last 5 years, due to laziness, bad eating habits and slowed down metabolism, I gained close to 40 pounds and feel physically at my absolute worse
- I wasn't kidding--I have never been inside the gym. I am joining on Monday after my paperwork gets cleared and am signing up immediately with a personal trainer
- i cannot run a mile. I get winded after a few flights of stairs

I will confess right now-I am terrified. I don't know what to do, what to expect. I am afraid I won't stick with this. I am afraid that I will just disappoint myself (I also have depression and get discouraged extremely easily).

That's why I joined this forum---I could definitely use some support....

 

[shygemini]

So---I am about to start working out for the very first time in my life at the ripe old age of 37.

Some facts about me:
- i started smoking when i was 13. I finally quit 2 years ago
- i was very thin for most of my life. But the last 5 years, due to laziness, bad eating habits and slowed down metabolism, I gained close to 40 pounds and feel physically at my absolute worse
- I wasn't kidding--I have never been inside the gym. I am joining on Monday after my paperwork gets cleared and am signing up immediately with a personal trainer
- i cannot run a mile. I get winded after a few flights of stairs

I will confess right now-I am terrified. I don't know what to do, what to expect. I am afraid I won't stick with this. I am afraid that I will just disappoint myself (I also have depression and get discouraged extremely easily).

That's why I joined this forum---I could definitely use some support....

Welcome to the forum! No need to be terrified, you have taken a great first step by wanting to change and joining the group here. I think it is a very supportive forum.

I think having a personal trainer will help you alot. I have not had the opportunity to work with one but i would love to in the future.

Congrats on quitting smoking, which is not easy.

I think posting here helps alot, to keep you accountable etc.

Best of luck!

 

[Ando3242]

Good that you are planning on getting healthy and in shape. But, it's not easy. My advice would be to just take it one day at a time. Don't feel bad that you can't run a mile. I can't either yet. But, just take it one step at a time and you will see gradual results.

I also have depression and have gotten discouraged about weight loss time and time again. But the good news is the new healthy eating habits and exercise will do wonders to help with depression. Ironic that something that will help depression so much is hard to do because of depression.

Anyways, good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[jeaniebeanie]

ShyGemini--thank you for the welcome
I decided that I need to invest the money into a personal trainer because I have no idea what I am doing and need that structure to get me motivated. I don't have anyone to go to the gym with so unfortunately, I will need to pay for my gym buddy

Ando--thank you for sharing.
Depression has held me back for a long long time and as you may know, that proverbial first step is exponentially harder for depressives than most other people. I think at this beginning point, I am more afraid of the very possibility of giving up when I get down or losing patience.

I am actually trying to make this not just a physical experience and life change, but also one where I can mentally grow healthier by applying discipline and hopefully learn to manage my depression better as well...