I wanted to start this exercise log to help me keep track and stay faithful to getting more exercise in, and motivating me to push forward.
First, for everyone else, a little of my exercise history:
I have had clinical depression for a long time. It's one of those things that is not only demotivating, it sucks all the energy out of doing anything at all as well. So, for the past 10 years, I haven't done much more than keeping my seat cushion flat. I was unable to work, and rarely had the energy to do more than shower. Of course, I knew that exercise would increase energy levels, but there was no way to get to point b from point a. No way to start. No way to get there, and I didn't even care. (I cared about very few things)
I used to exercise off and on before that, but was one of those people who was great at starting things, but lacked the ability to carry through. My weight hadn't been too bad, at least till I gained over 50 pounds from medication. But it had been building up since I was pregnant and had my child.

Part of the plan I have now is to start small and work my way up. I have fibromyalgia, and on some days that is going to set me back, since I would be able to do much outside of enduring the pain, and trying to keep my muscles from knotting up.
So walking will be the order of the day. I hope to be able to walk some every day.
Stretching will be another thing I do--and I am contemplating taking yoga, not so much for the exercise part, but to keep my muscles stretched enough that I can at least do my walking.
The long term goal is to take up running, but I realize I have to work up to that. After all, if I fall short walking, how will I run?
Also, I have some dumbells I would like to work with, as well as a stationary bike. It's not a lot, but it's all I have to round things out for now.

So, if anyone has any words of encouragement or advice, I'm all ears.
I really don't know much about the exercise dvds, but I do have one for yoga that I haven't really watched much of. I heard Kathy Smith has a good one for lifting weights. That might be helpful to me. Has anyone watched or used that?

Anyway, my progress with walking will be tracked in my sig for the Walk to Christmas Challenge, as well as here.

As for today, I walked 1 mile after lunch. Nothing else yet, but am planning more walking this evening, hopefully 2+ miles.
~sue

Yesterday I walked 1 mile after lunch but not much else since I didn't feel well.
I haven't done a lot today but hope to at least get some hiking in later at the park.
~sue

Sue L,

Congratulations on your success to date! Including exercise on a regular basis will help you reach your goal. In fact, for most of us that want to lose body fat, exercise is a must! And although walking is definitely good for you I think you would burn more fat if you did strength/resistance exercises. I'm going to provide some references below. Perhaps this type of strength training would work for you. It has worked well for me!

"The Slowburn Fitness Revolution" a book by Fredrich Hahn (info at www.seriousstrength.com)
"The Power of 10" a book by Adam Zickerman (info at www.informfitness.com)

All the best in your quest!

Andy