well, to begin with, i am a 41 year old mother of 3.  i have a desk job, so i dont get much of a workout at work.  i bought an mp3 player and started getting podcasts and that is how i ran into this website and forum. 

at this time in my life, i weigh more than i ever have before.  i am about 200 pounds, 5 ft 4 inches i have been wanting to get a little weight off.  not for any one except for me.  i need to work on my self esteem and i thought this may help.

i had a hysterectomy in may, and quit smoking also in may, so i think i am finally up to the challenge of getting in shape.  i have never had any stomach muscles.  in high school, everyone thought i was pregnant because i had a little pouch.  anyway, i got pregnant the following year and was pregnant for 3 years.  (my kids are 20, 21 and 22 so that is why i say i was pregnant for 3 years) anyway, i would love to know what it feels like to have a flat stomach, even if it is just somewhat flat. 

i have been trying to watch what i eat, but have trouble with craving crunchy salty things.  anyway, i have been working on that.  i am trying to get an exercise bike to work out on until i get a little weight off, then i can start using my other things (i have a weight machine and an ab lounge) i just cant get motivated to do any of it.  i will be starting my 100 days on labor day, so please, everyone, i could use all the motivation you can give me.  thank you all.  pam.

Welcome to the forum Pam.

Congratulations on Quit smoking!!!  (quitting?)-It doesn’t sound right either way, but you know what I mean.  It is an extraordinary accomplishment!!

An Exercise bike is a great way to start. Consistency is the key.  I start with just 10 minutes on a bike (all my rear could stand!  ) Have you checked the listing on freecycle.com?  A friend got one while he was doing physical therapy and then Listed it again when he did not need it anymore.

What area of the country are you located?  Maybe someone on the forum can help.

Once again welcome to the forum!  You will do great!!

i have checked our local freecycle group in springfield ohio and no one emailed me back about having an exercise bike.  i have been looking in yard sales, and the closest thing i found is a treadmill, which if i cant find a bike by sunday, i may buy the treadmill.

my husband is going to be working out with me.  i hope we can stick with it.  he gets embarrassed about his weight, and i am hoping that this will help both of us. 

just so everyone knows, i am very committed to the 100 day thing.  i have a calendar hanging in my basement that i am going to mark each day i work out for at least a half hour.  i want to lose about 10 pounds before i start my weights, because lately my ankles and knees have been giving me fits from my extra weight.  i already have my mp3 player filled with music and another mp3 player filed with the motivation to move podcasts that i was able to download from this website. 

if anyone on here is from around springfield, and if you have an exercise bike or one of those mini trampolines, i would gladly take them off your hand.  i need something fun to do first to make me want to stick with it.  i tried the weights and ab lounge and got bored with them too easily.

Hi again Pam, and welcome! I caught your 100 days thread first.

I bought my mini trampoline at Wal-Mart for $20. The have some with handle bars for around $40 if you feel more comfortable holding onto something. Just be sure and buy a very supportive sports bra. It’s a great piece of equipment to have (the trampoline, well, both really).

Bree

thank you so much.  i will check them out first thing in the morning.