What's the best way to start exercising again?

I would start slow. Walk for 30 minutes everyday (not throughout the day, but all at once). After you do this for a few weeks, increase your time. After a little while, you should be able to seamlessly transition into using a treadmill, bike or elliptical for short periods of time, then longer as you progress.

Most important, however, is your willpower. For some reason, when it comes to exercise, my will can’t be broken. I allow myself no excuses. Since I decided on my schedule, I don’t allow myself to miss the gym. There is no excuse, unless I’m feeling so ill that I can’t get to the gym under my own power. I’ve angered family members many times because they wanted me to break my schedule to do something with/for them. In a sense, allowing no excuses for yourself makes it easier. You are on automatic pilot and almost nothing can stop you from doing what you have to do. There’s no indecision or weighing of choices. You exercise because you have to. There is no other option.

I would disagree with drdoombat and suggest, due to your shortness of breath, that you start very slowly. Try walking briskly for five minutes; if that works, try ten minutes tomorrow and increase time and speed according to what your body is telling you.

If you have the time and money, check out some stretches and weight-bearing exercises with a certified trainer at a gym. One size does NOT fit all.

After a back injury, I used the treadmill for 3 minutes at 2.5 mph. Now, a year later, I am on for 45 minutes at 3.3 mph, doing yoga and lifting 5 lb. weights. I compete with no one, wishing to avoid any more injuries.

As both @drdoombot and @gailcalled say, start slow. You can walk, mix jogging and walking, climb stairs, swim, play tennis, ride a bike, or just get back to the gym. As each amount of exercise gets to be easy, extend the length of time you exercise and the degree of difficulty also. Be careful not to do the exact same exercise all the time so you can avoid repetitive use injuries.

If you are fairly young you may not need to consult with a doctor before beginning to exercise unless your shortness of breath gets worse instead of better. However, be sure to listen to your body – it will most likely let you know when you are pushing too hard.

@gailcalled We’ll have to agree to disagree then, because I think all but the most out-of-shape people can handle a 30 minute walk. I’m not talking about a brisk walk; just an everyday, normal-paced walk.

The OP has only missed the gym for 3 months; she cannot be THAT out-of-shape that she can’t take a leisurely spring stroll for 30 minutes.

it’s amazing how quickly the body seems to get used to not exercising…I try to exercise 4–5 times a week for an hour each time. I’ve been doing this for six months and have only started to notice big changes now, it seems that it has taken a long time to get fitter but if I miss exercise for one week it seems to set me back a long way.

I would start slowly and gently but incorporate various exercises into your routine. I suffered quite a bit of injury at the start because I think I pushed myself too hard. I think walking 30 minutes a day should be fine and easy to do..but it mainly depends on your lifestyle I think

You have to 1) enjoy it 2) be able to easily accommodate it (time and money etc.) 3) physically do it. If you listen to your body, really listen… I think you could give anything a go if you start off slow.

If you go here and click on beginners or whatever strikes your fancy. You can go as easy or as hard as you want.

Thank you so much for all your input! I think part of being out of breath also has to do with the fact that I just moved from sea level to a mile high city.
I like the idea of starting out just walking for a little a while each day (I’ll try to go for 30 min if I can), and then after getting used to it I’ll try to incorporate different exercises into my routine.
Again thanks for your time and input :)