Its been a while since I've done anything meaningful exercise wise, and I really need to get back into shape. I can get a rebate back from my insurance by joining a gym, but feel really self conscious about going.
But I am really competitive so maybe an exercise buddy would work for me. I don't know.
Ideas?

Bring a friend to the gym with you...I am very self conscious about that too and I am going with my sis and mom....

Good Luck!

The gyms around here are for everyone, not just muscle-heads. And they are all competitively priced, so go check a few out. Most will offer a free 2 week membership, if you ask.

Make it part of your weekly (every other day, initially, then daily) schedule, set goals, buy some visits with a personal trainer if you can afford it, start paying attention to what you eat. Start out slow and don't over-do it at first, write down your weight and measurements weekly.

When I go, I go to the YMCA - real low pressure, honestly and best of luck to ya!!

stay away from carbs, breads, and sweets-focus on fruits, veggies, meats, fish, poultry. :)

oh,and lots of walking and lots of water

You know, Sex works too!

Oh if it was only that easy!

1- burn your couch. lol
2- working out addictive once you start.. at least for me anyway,,,, so just go.
3. proper diet proper diet proper diet/ NO SODA POP.
3. there isnt really a 4. lol

Unless you run frequently... I have done nothing to watch my carbs and in fact, eat pretty much nothing but carbs and protein with minimal fat and have been on a 3 lb lost per week average for almost two months now. carbs are essential for any longer period aerobic activity as a good supply for the body decreases muscle breakdown (or so my health class told me lol)

I was referring to simple carbs (bread, pasta, etc.) because they're so common now-even though they cause the body to store fat rather than burn it. Complex carbs are great! (yams, veggies, etc.) "The Paleo Diet For Athletes" is a good reference book. :)

My mom and signed up to go to the gym together, that might be something looking into if any of your buddies go to the gym. That can be great motivation!

If you know you really need to lose some weight then don't even bother feeling self concious, there is always going to be someone else at the gym who feels the same way and is bigger than you - heck they might be smaller than you but want to get bigger - they still feel the same. You're in the same boat as all the rest of us that want to work out or go to the gym.

You can try this website to help track your work out: dailyburn.com

Excellent suggestions, I just got done with Extreme Boot Camp and learned A LOT. Try to stick with unprocessed foods, fruits, veggies and lean protein. Eat small meals more often (I eat 5 times a day) and make sure after you work out you get some protein in your system to repair the damage your doing to your muscles.

Cardio is the way to go for weight loss, push yourself to run even if it's your least favorite thing to do (it was mine too) Find out what your target heart rate is for working out and try to keep it up for an entire hour. Mix up your work outs as much as possible, doing the same thing everyday gets boring. Working out outside is also great if you can.

I signed up with my roommate and it made all the difference in the world, we were able to motivate each other. (It was more like competition for me )

I have a picture of my end result from bootcamp in my profile.... I'm not done yet but now I can go the rest of the way myself and get to where I want to be.

My next goal is to complete p90x, I have heard nothing but GREAT things about this program.

http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/p90x.do?code=P90XDOTCOM

Aside from looking better I FEEL so much better, so best of luck to you in your journey to feeling better.

keep a daily record of reps and weights and gradually increase

and keep a record of your food intake and have a long term trend and affect based on your nutrition and its affect and corelation with your work out routine

if your gonna be serious that is

this is off the beating path, but look into brazilian jiu jitsu, it changed my life, get in their work and the pounds will start dropping off I used to be like 190

If you haven't already, I would start with cardio stuff... then work up to weights... you could also ask the people at the gym....

you've taken the first step. keep it up....

As Nike says: Just Do It!

P

I love to work out. Does great for the bod and the mind.

Great for taking out frustrations as well..

lots of water,real juice should be the only drinks, all types of melon particulary cannalope is good, before i get in the shower i do three sets of as many push ups I can get. Fiber : beans, apples will help shed fat and keep ur system moving

oh yeah and probably the best one for me, dont eat after six pm, difficult at first then youll see your metabalism speed up and youll be shredded in no time

Nice, slow and easy at first: elliptical, swimming, yoga and tai~chi classes at the gym.

Work up and towards the rest, as you see what others are doing that you'd like to emulate.

The majority of injuries occur from the weekend warriors biting off too much, too fast ... endeavouring towards what they held down in the glory days.

The main thing is to get in shape, not injure yourself, perhaps even permanently.

Nor, is it wise to overwhelm yourself, burn out and just quit again!

GL ... to us all ...

Pilates is another great starting point that will go the distance ... a real 'keeper' and will prevent injuries from the other work~out additions, SO great!

... Ditto on the aforementioned yoga, et al!