 A little exercise can yield big results
Starting a new exercise plan can be very intimidating. I clearly remember how frightened I was when I first started. I chose to start with aqua aerobics. I like being in the water and knew that it would support my weight. This made it less painful while I was moving. Still, I was afraid of hurting myself, or worse. Fortunately, I was more frightened by what was going to happen if I didn't start exercising.
At more than 300 pounds, and smoking at the time, I certainly couldn't do a lot. In the beginning, I couldn't keep up with the class very well, but it was all under water so it didn't matter. Sometimes I just jogged slowly in place. But when you are that out of shape, improvement happens surprisingly quickly. A little effort can yield big results.
Regular exercise will improve your mood. There are physical as well as emotional components. Your body will generate chemicals that will elevate your mood, but you will also feel more confident and competent just knowing you accomplished your workout goal.
The one thing that gave me the most success was a promise I made to myself at the very beginning: I would never do anything that made me feel uncomfortable. That promise eased my anxiety and kept me going to class. Over time, I was able to comfortably do more and more.
Whatever your current situation, there are things you can do to increase your activity level. Small walks, even if only five minutes at a time, are an excellent place to start. Try to find an objective measure, such as time, to keep track. Set a current goal and add to that every week or two.
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