Thomas R. answered • 04/25/18
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Over 25 years of experience and a sense of humor about math
I was never a model of physical perfection, but back in high school I began a physical fitness program that I designed with school approval (I was allowed to substitute it for participating in sports). I began with embarrassingly low activities such as 1 sit-up, 1 chin-up, only 30 seconds of leg lifts, jogging for thirty seconds, and as many seconds of "the chair" (where you form your body into a chair shape while pressed against a wall) as I could manage before my legs gave out. Whenever any of these items became easy, I would ramp up the activity level only slightly.
After high school, I received a hand weight set for my birthday and added lateral lifts and curls -- again, just one or two -- to my repertoire. And again, I would ad to my totals when something became easier. You will find out that over time, your endurance will increase.
Diet also plays a role. Be sure you do not eat too much in the way of carbs, especially sugars. I am not saying avoid them completely, but my doctor told me to consume only a small handful of candy, at most, and only as I was nearing the end of my workout. No workout, no candy. It doesn't hurt to workout not long before one of your meals so that your metabolism is revved up and more likely to burn off the calories.
