Replies to 'Staying Motivated'

Hi Lisa, you are on track with starting with walking.  Because you had your feet operated on, I would suggest that if your doctor hasn't authorized you to get orthipetics for your feet, you should get them.  They helped me alot - I am flat footed.  I ran into really big problems last year when my calves locked up and I could barely walk for a couple of weeks.

1. Get yourself a good pair of shoes. I like New Balance and got mine from SEARS when they were on sale for $49.99. 
2. Do stretches after your walk - your muscles will get tight if you don't.
3. Take it really slow.  Make a goal to do 1/2 the track for 1 week.  Then the whole track for week 2.
4. You may have walk every other day.  It depends on your legs.

I highly recommend Pilates for every body!  It did wonders for me.  If you do free weights & pilates.  Do the free weights for the upper body as your lower body is being worked out with pilates.

If you can get help with a personal trainer at a gym, that would be the best advice to.  I know that the machines at the gym help you to build up your muscles better.

However, you can't do it all over night.  Acknowledge that when you go back to work you will still need to work on exercise.  You might find water aerobics or another type of class beneficial as well.

Take it really slow so that you can allow yourself an opportunity to adapt to an exercise program or otherwise, you will stop.

Also know that it's easier getting started than maintaining.  I walk my dogs every other day and they know it!  I don't walk for myself - I walk for them!  I'm an excellent caretaker so I use my sense of caretaking to make me exercise.  Hey, I do whatever works for me!