Focus on diet, and stick with walking and water exercise until you are very close to your ideal weight range. If you try to do any running, weights, or something like 30 Day Shred, you will end up getting injured and it will set you back even farther.

I know from experience. I am about 20 pounds overweight and I was running a lot. Didn't lose any weight, but ended up with sciatica which kept me from working out for almost a year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Insanity or Turbofire or P90 etc.

The wheel has already been invented. Use it.

These suggestions for someone in OP's situation are somewhere between silly and potentially harmful.

+1

It's too much, too soon.

OP, if you want to start working out to an exercise video, I really recommend Gilad's Bodies in Motion and Gilad's Total Body Sculpt, in addition to walking or starting a Couch to 5k.

It currently shows on Discovery Fit & Health. I started on that after my c-section and really, really liked it. He is cute and charming.

http://health.discovery.com/tv-shows/tv-schedule.htm

Love Gilad too!

OP, I started at 270 and am at 195 now.. I would stay consistent with the walking, and then slowly also add in some resistance training as well over time. But even more importantly, you can do a lot just by working on your diet when you're starting out. As you do that, you'll find any kind of exercise will start to get easier as weight starts coming off, and as it starts getting easier, you'll be able to push yourself harder. I personally still have another 50 lbs or so to lose.

If I can do it, you can do it. Congrats on making the changes!

I also agree with yoga. I've started doing various weight loss yoga videos on youtube, and looking for little "fitness challenges" that I see on Facebook, in addition to just doing more active things in my daily life. Little changes really make a huge difference.

Agree with all the PPs who say stick with walking. I personally do not think you need a trainer. I would work on walking faster some days and then walking farther on others. I would buy some weights and look up basic arm and shoulder exercises on Women's Health site.

Walking is actually great exercise!

based on your #'s, i would stick with walking and swimming in the beginning. at least until you can get that up to 6 days a week. if you have access to a bike, thats great too.

i would slowly start to build in strength training as you find your body starting to get in better shape. you will need both cardio and strength training to help.

once you are ready for strength training, i love workout dvds because they are so cheap and you can learn a lot. i agree with the pp that the 30 day shred might not be the best thing for you. although i think her yoga meltdown dvd is a great low impact option and a great workout. even 6 week six pack is good and not as tough on the knees.
and i think insanity, p90x and turbofire are something you could use once you are in shape but not necessarily at your goal weight. i wouldn't do those.
yoga and pilates are also great strength training options.

congratulations on making the first steps and best of luck on your weight loss journey!