Losing weight

First, as Genesis pointed out, talk to your doctor. You want to make sure you're eating right and that you're healthy enough for an exercise routine.

Steps for eating better: quit with the frozen stuff (which, for me, is something I've never managed) and the soda (also something I've never been able to give up, either). Alternatively, limit your intake (MUCH easier). Make bigger meals and buy some of those little tupperware bowls (they've gotten really cheap, they're diswashable, and disposable once they end life) and make yourself individual portions, so you could just pop it in the microwave and have a home-cooked meal. Don't just switch everything to diet - I actually read an article about how the French stay skinny (apart from it just being a miracle of being French), and part of it is that they *do* eat fat. It then fills them up, so they don't eat near the quantity. They also eat slowly; lunch there can be an hour or two long, not including wait times. So try to moderate things that you like that aren't healthy, and look at the rest of your diet and try to balance it (with things you like - if you don't like them, it isn't going to help). I'm also told that drinking water in somewhat mass quantities helps.

With exercise, START SMALL. Don't set goals based on weight - muscle is heavier than fat, so if you're actually doing well, you won't see as much of a difference on the scale as you might want. Set goals with your exercises. Aerobics are good for weight loss and for the cardiovascular system. Cheap and easy is to walk. Start with a set distance you're comfortable with. Get into a routine over a couple of days, then increase the distance. If you're comfortable with it, increase the distance and/or speed. Don't be afraid to drop back if you need to. Just keep doing something, so you keep your routine going. If you start running, start with a run-walk program. Walk for 10 minutes, run for 2. Then start increasing the run times and decreasing the walk times. Always make sure you stretch before and after, and have a cool-down walk at the end. If something really hurts, STOP. Yes, your muscles will get sore, and that will become a familiar sensation. But if it legitimately hurts, that is your body telling you to STOP because something is wrong. If you continue running through it, bad things will happen (I have permanent damage in some of my lower body from walking and running with problems with my feet and legs that could have been corrected if I'd paid more attention).

If you have access to a pool and know how to swim, that is EXCELLENT. You're working lots of muscles (including some you probably didn't know you had), with no impact.

And now I'm out of space, but I hope this at least helps you some. :) I was in physical therapy for 4 years, so I've picked up a few things along the way. Even if I *can't* run, and probably won't ever again (at least, for any distance).

What kind of workout activities do you try? What do you eat? Follow the basics (fruits, vegetables, exercise, etc.) and slowly increase the amount of exercise activity you do. It'll take about 2 weeks to show results - don't get discouraged...then it feels like the weight "falls off". Get past the 2-3 week mark and you've got healthy habits that you'll probably enjoy.

Then, be happy with your body. Your health and a nice toned, active body is the most important thing even if you don't fit the size you think you want to wear. Just show off the assets you got and be proud!