Trying to start working out again. Legs COMPLETELY sore after 15 minutes of working out??

[Anonymous]

I'm completely out of shape. I'm 22. 5'5 286lbs. Been struggling with my weight for my entire teen years. I use to be bigger, though. About three years ago is when I changed my eating habits and started exercising. Of course, eating healthy got boring so I cheated once in a while, which is okay because when I cheated, I tried to make it a bit light on calories (like no mayo, or a small instead of large, diet coke etc. )

I hate running. I will not run. I'm too insecure for that. I'll run in place, but that's boring.

Here's what I do:

i walk(outside) a lot. slow or medium pace. (30-60mins)

i use an elliptical ---- I can't do this for more than 3 minutes without my legs being sore and beat. So shamefully, I'll do 3 minutes, then jump back onto the bike and do 15 extra minutes.

and an exercise bike (fast pace, then slow, then fast) (15-30mins)

When I use the bike, I try and switch things up like after 15 min on the bike, I'll go on the elliptical (its next to it) then after the shameful 3 minutes lol, ill go back on the bike and then my legs are SUPER sore! and this is not including the long slow walk...

I eat healthier. No red meats, no real sugar (maybe once a month), turkey/fish, I watch the sat fats, trans fats, sodium, cholestoral, carbs etc...

I like working out on the bike and stuff but it's hard for me to do it consistently and keep a schedule for it. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF BELOW:

I've been transitioning into fulltime at work and I work weird hours so I never have time for anything anymore and when I'm off (usually just one day, on a good week two days off) I'm relaxing from all the stress from work.) I'm on my feet all day, 8-10 hours a day running around in my hectic job so it takes a toll on me.

ANY TIPS? I just want to lose another 50lbs. and then go on from there. A few years back it took me like 8 months to lose 35lbs Just by eating right.

[sadieJ]

It takes time to build up your endurance and muscles.

Take it slow and be patient. Try to be consistent as you can, even though yes it can be difficult with a weird schedule.

Doing cardiovascular exercise (getting your heart racing) will help speed up your metabolism which will eventually help you to start melting pounds away, but it will take time (sometimes months) for you body to readjust to this, especially if it is used to being sedentary.

35 pounds in 8 months is not so bad, even with just diet. You still lost the weight. Be proud! It's a change in lifestyle and it takes time to get used to.

Also don't get frustrated if you are being religious about working out and eating right and you gain a pound or two randomly. Remember that muscle weighs more than fat. Track inches vs. always tracking weight.

Keep it up, it will pay off. Eventually exercise will become easier and you will start seeing the results.

I made the same changes in my lifestyle and it took time. I didn't have as much weight on me, but was overweight and also have a very strange schedule due to work and school. It took a few months for me to be able to start seeing the result from the exercise, and it was best feeling in the world! I took up running personally, and the first time I was able to run 2 miles without my legs giving out was an amazing day.

Kudos to you!

[stubbsy]

weight will not stay off by changing your diet only, a religious work out is needed to lose it and keep it off. The sore legs is because you have allowed your muscles to be overcome by fat cells, so they will hurt, like everything else when you first begin, buit this will get easy very quickly, but you must push yourself to that limit of feeling sick for the first two weeks, or your not going to succeed, if you can do this, your have a figure to die for in 10 weeks, but I won't bother about going into the exercises until I know your committed to do them, it just saves me wasting the effort, (no offense meant) You have done the hard thing by deciding to get in shape, now take it to the next level and committ, you won't regret what you get out of a little effort, good luck,x